MORE?than 500 artists will be exhibiting at this year’s Hampshire Open Studios, with around 250 studios and galleries in rural, urban and coastal settings across the county viewed by art lovers.
The popular annual event, from August 20 to 29, gives visitors the chance to see both professional and amateur artists working in a wide range of materials at work, and to chat to them about their processes.
There are more than 60 new spaces involved this year, so regulars will have new artistic territory to explore.
The Petersfield area is well represented on the trail map with artists opening their doors in the town itself and village including Froxfield, Steep, Alresford, Liphook, Steep Marsh, Alton and Hawkley.
The Art Group Collective is displaying at The Physic Garden in The High Street, Petersfield.
Wessex Sculptors can be found in a lovely old black barn studio at Brockwood near Bramdean.
The members of this charity group work in wood, stone, clay and resin, using both carving and building up techniques.
They exhibit work at the open studios event to extend the appreciation of sculpture in Hampshire, to raise awareness of their public workshops, including those in schools, and to introduce young people to the art of sculpting.
The group has more than thirty members, but welcomes interest from over-18s, from experienced sculptors to complete beginners.
Weekly group sessions are held on Monday and Thursdays, when members can benefit from mutual encouragement and skill sharing.
Winchester sculptor John Souter tutors the group for two hours in these days during term time.
Visit www.wessexsculptors.co.uk for more information.
Entry to the Hampshire Open Studios is free.
There are colour coded catalogues available, and venues are signposted by pink direction arrows.
For more information, and for a full visit of studios opening, visit www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk and the Facebook page.