Artists in north and west Cumbria will be welcoming people into their work spaces.
Eden Valley Artistic Network’s (EVAN) Open Studios & Art Trail will run from September 3 to 18.
The free event offers people the chance to explore the hamlets and villages of the north and west of Cumbria and meet the makers on their home turf.
"You will be able to see how and where artists make their work, and chat with them about their inspirations and practice," said a spokesman.
The range of art available includes textiles, sculpture, jewellery, photography, glass, paintings, ceramics, prints and more.
"The art trail allows you to ramble the byways of Cumbria and the Lake District, experiencing the beautiful scenery which is the inspiration for many of EVAN’s artists," said the spokesman.
"You can discover the open studios located on the coast in the west and the streets of local towns, in the hills of the Lake District and the North Pennines, and deep in the Eden Valley."
Whitehaven artist Natalie Burns has been painting buildings around her hometown. She has created ‘streetscapes’ of many of the rows of buildings in Whitehaven, Keswick and Cockermouth, and her paintings now feature in interpretation panels in Whitehaven.
“I’m delighted to see my paintings on the streets of Whitehaven. It was an honour to be asked by The Whitehaven Heritage Action Group to include my paintings on the refurbished boards showing what amazing history these three streets hold," said Natalie.
Blindcrake artist Joan Prickett is looking forward to welcoming visitors to her home and studio.
"Many folk, understandably in the current climate, won't have the interest or wherewithal to buy art at the present time. Art is made to be seen and, though I will have paintings and prints for sale, my exhibition is primarily to show my work," said Joan.
"I hope that I – along with other artists and makers taking part – may play a part in cheering people up a little, despite the worrying situation."
Joan's exhibition will include a selection of rapid, un-posed drawings she did of Cockermouth Mechanics Brass Band members as they practised last summer.
"I was joined by Maggi Toner-Edgar and we gave prints of our drawings to each of the members as a thank you for putting up with their 'resident artists'," said Joan.
"It was something of a life-line for me - I had so missed drawing/painting from life during the wretched pandemic."
EVAN is a network of individual artists, organisations and venues which supports and promotes artistic endeavour across north and west Cumbria.
A brochure with a map of locations and artists’ opening dates and times is available from various arts venues and online at: evanevents.co.uk/open-studios-and-art-trail-2022.
Top line-up at festival: https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/20737538.top-line-up-taste-cumbria-cockermouth/
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