AN ‘Open Studios’ event is a time when artists invite everyone, from their community and from further afield, into their homes or studios to meet the artists and see their work.

On Saturday, May 28, artists from the Bude area will join artists from across the whole of Cornwall for the massive nine days celebration known as ‘Open Studios Cornwall’.

Information can be found on the events website, or the public can look out for the famous ‘Orange Circle’, which will start appearing at the end of May across Cornwall. This lets people know that an artist is nearby.

There will be items for sale, a richness of drawings and paintings, handmade prints, textiles, cards, sculpture, jewellery, pottery and all kinds of professional and beautiful work.

Some artists are well known nationally and internationally whilst others are young makers, starting out on their careers.

There is absolutely no obligation to buy a work, the event wants to promote a time of sharing, and welcoming others into the space where they do their ‘making’.

Artists benefit from the chance to show their work to the public and chat about it, so they can gain feedback and explain how and why they make it.

It is a way for them to welcome people into their homes or workshops and share with them their own passion for art.

They endeavour to make a space where people can meet others looking at art, or perhaps just want to have a cup of tea in the sunshine, hopefully, outside.

Knowledge of art is not necessary to come and join in the fun, but it is a good chance for children during half term, and for A-level and art students, to see a lot of different art not far from where they live.

The Bude artists include; Katie Green, Hannah Wheeler, Fran of Acorn ish Studio, Sue Read, Jacqui Harris, Gabrielle Goodchild and others.

The artists opening their homes can be found in the following places:

Hannah and Fran are located in Bude. Hannah, paintings, is on the Strand, EX23 8QT and Acorn ish Studio, mixed media textiles, is near the canal, EX23 8LG.

Sue Read, paintings, is at Wooda Farm at the top of Poughill, EX23 9HJ.

Four miles south of Bude, Jacqui and Gabrielle have their show, mixed media drawings and paintings, at glorious Nissi Farm, Widemouth Bay, EX23 0NA.

On the A39, just past the ‘Box’s Shop’ sign, turn off into the lay-by and follow the Orange Circle.

Continue on to Crackington Haven to find Max William Burrows, drawing and printmaking, EX23 0LF and Jen Dixon, painting, EX23 0JH.

At the Legion Hall, St Gennys, EX23 0NS, you will find three painters, Janet Brady, Peter Davies, Nicola Johnson — there are two sculptors, John May and Will May-Robinson at the same venue.

Printmaking and painting by Katie Green is a few miles further south, on the A395 between Launceston and Camelford, PL15 8UH.

For many years the Open Studios Cornwall event has centred on the far west of Cornwall, but it has gradually gained momentum in North Cornwall.

Some artists in Bude, Widemouth Bay, Crackington Haven and nearby will have a map, and all will direct people to other artists nearby.

It is hoped there will be a lot of support for local artists during this event, so look out for the Orange Circle!