OVER 100 artists and craftspeople are inviting people to take a peek behind the scenes over two weekends in April as part of the York Open Studios.

This is a chance to see art in the place where its made, areas which are rarely open to the public, from town houses and cottage workshops to rustic garden sheds. In all of them you will find the makers themselves ready to show you their work in person.

• Enjoy Emily Sutton’s exquisite watercolours of shopfronts and interiors and the flora and fauna of Mark Hearld’s exuberant collages and screenprints.

• Printmakers include Alan Coates whose etchings are influenced by old, anonymous photographs, Sally Clarke whose collagraphs style reflects early English painting and Gerard Hobson a trained zoologist whose love of nature dominates his wonderful linoprints.

• Techniques range from Rosie Scott Massey’s papercuts of local landmarks, the stained glass art of Ann Sotheran, to jewellery designers working in a multitude of materials from the fine jewellery of Charmian Ottaway which uses high carat gold and precious stones to Nicola Bloom’s bubbleglass earrings and Ruth Claydon’s recycled ‘Bo Jangles Bangles’ designed for fidgets and dancers!

• Ceramic lovers are spoilt for choice this year with renowned studio potters Ruth King, Loretta Braganza and Ben Arnup all opening up their spaces as well as lots of emerging talents

Chairman of York Open Studios, Beccy Ridsdel said: "We're very lucky to live in such a vibrant, creative city with so many wonderful artists and craftspeople. We're really excited, pleased and proud to have over 100 of them exhibiting in this year’s York Open Studios.'"

York Open Studios takes place on Friday 21, Saturday 22, Sunday 23 April and Saturday 29, Sunday 30 April. Studios are open Friday 6 – 9pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm.

A launch exhibition will be held at the Stained Glass Centre, St Martin cum Hardy Church, Micklegate, on Saturday 8 and Sunday, April 9, 10am-5pm. Entry is free.

For full details and maps of all the studios visit www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk and for a free copy of the event programme please register online or email info@yorkopenstudios.co.uk