Artists aged from eight to 80 throw open their doors for this year’s Norfolk Open Studios

%image(15502805, type="article-full", alt="Painting by Roughton-based artist Keith William Nash, who says Open Studios gives him a "thought-provoking" insight into what others see in his work. Photo: KEITH WILLIAM NASH")

The scheme, which is co-ordinated by the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in partnership with a committee of artists, will see more than 450 studios across the county open to the public from May 26 to June 10.

Events in north Norfolk this year include artist-run workshops ranging from fused glass making with Rebecca Thompson of Antingham, near North Walsham, and brooch-making with Johanne Couldrey, of Happisburgh, to a curator's talk and karaoke session at Barrington Farm studio, Walcott.

Groups of artists have also teamed up to form art trails around Happisburgh, Reepham and Cromer, and from North Walsham to Southrepps, Sheringham to Thornage, and Briston to Corpusty.

%image(15502808, type="article-full", alt="Pensive, by Reepham-based printmaker Sarah Bays. Photo: Sarah Bays")

Schools taking part include Dereham Sixth Form College, where work by Year 12 and 13 students will be on display, and Aldborough Primary, where pupils have created a celebration of art based on play.

Blakeney-based artist and printmaker Alison Wagstaffe, who has welcomed visitors to her garden studio for the past 12 years, said the scheme gave artists a chance to meet people and discuss their work.

'Being an artist is a solitary life most of the time, so it is lovely to get feedback,' she added. 'It is also a brilliant way to market my work and, for customers, seeing the work in reality is so much better than looking at it online.'

%image(15502810, type="article-full", alt="A Moment's Rest, by printmaker Sarah Bays, who will welcoming visitors to her studio at Reepham from May 26. Photo: Sarah Bays")

Printmaker Diana Ashdown, of Little Snoring, near Fakenham, is taking part for the first time.

She said: 'Open Studios is a wonderful way for interested people to find out more about how artists create their work and I can't wait to meet my visitors and have a chat.'

For art-lovers wanting a flavour of what is on offer, a taster exhibition featuring work by more than 30 of the north Norfolk artists taking part will run at the Old Workshop Gallery, Corpusty.

%image(15502812, type="article-full", alt="Cley-next-the-Sea, by printmaker Diana Ashdown, who is opening the doors of her studio at Little Snoring, near Fakenham, for the first time this year. Photo: DIANA ASHDOWN")

Gallery owner Jill Hill will also be hosting tea, cake and textile days and running mini textile workshops featuring dyeing threads, felting and raggie pots.

Entry to artists' studios is free. For a full programme, with maps and opening times, visit www.nnopenstudios.org.uk

%image(15502814, type="article-full", alt="Returning, by Blakeney-based artist Alison Wagstaffe. who has taken part in Open Studios for the past 12 years. Photo: ALISON WAGSTAFFE")

%image(15502814, type="article-full", alt="Returning, by Blakeney-based artist Alison Wagstaffe. who has taken part in Open Studios for the past 12 years. Photo: ALISON WAGSTAFFE")

%image(15502818, type="article-full", alt="Wintry Pensthorpe, by printmaker Diana Ashdown of Little Snoring, near Fakenham.Photo: DIANA ASHDOWN")

%image(15502820, type="article-full", alt="Painting by Roughton-based artist Keith William Nash, who says Open Studios gives him a "thought-provoking" insight into what others see in his work. Photo: KEITH WILLIAM NASH")

%image(15502821, type="article-full", alt="Swan, by 'The Cycling Artist' John Etheridge, of Stalham. Photo: John Etheridge")

%image(15502822, type="article-full", alt="Three Yellow Tulips, by North Walsham-based artist Gabriella Buckingham, who says Open Studios is a "great opportunity to get feedback, make sales and connect with the public and other local artists." Photo: GABRIELLA BUCKINGHAM")

%image(15502823, type="article-full", alt="Pink Peach Abstract, by North Walsham-based artist Gabriella Buckingham, who says Open Studios is a "great opportunity to get feedback, make sales and connect with the public and other local artists." Photo: GABRIELLA BUCKINGHAM")