AN exhibition at Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum made up from the collections of local people puts a new perspective on the Cotswold Arts and Crafts movement.

The exhibition, entitled A Cotswold Home: The People's Arts and Crafts Show, runs from June 18 to August 20 and comprises furniture, jewellery, ceramics, paintings and photographs selected from the collections of local people.

Many of the items tell unique and personal stories that add an extra dimension to the Arts and Crafts Movement of the Cotswolds.

It also includes work from a contemporary furniture designer, chair maker and collector whose work continues to be influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement.

Another exhibition, which starts on Saturday and runs until July 23, is by local artist Joanna O'Connor whose latest body of work is based on the forests of Vancouver Island, British Colombia. She has aimed to reduce the conifer to its basic shape and 'build it up again, exploring the complexities of colour and shape'.

Also, there is a chance to peer into see how and where local artists produce their work. The Cheltenham Artists Open Houses scheme runs until Sunday. For the event, more than 70 artists in a 10-mile radius of Cheltenham are opening their houses/studios to exhibit their work. Contact the gallery or visit www.artistsopenhouses.org.uk for more details.

The gallery is open from 10am to 5.20pm from Monday to Saturday. Admission is free.

Call 01242 237431 or visit www.cheltenham.artgallery.museum for more details.