A new scheme aimed at promoting North Norfolk's wealth of artistic talent is gearing up to an official launch next month.North Norfolk Artspace was set up by one of the News' community reporters Karen Bethell, who will be taking over the running of Sheringham Little Theatre's exhibition space in October.

A new scheme aimed at promoting North Norfolk's wealth of artistic talent is gearing up to an official launch next month.

North Norfolk Artspace was set up by one of the News' community reporters Karen Bethell, who will be taking over the running of Sheringham Little Theatre's exhibition space in October.

Its website, which is already up and running, provides a comprehensive resource for artists, galleries and art-lovers in north Norfolk.

The site lists details of local galleries, as well providing information about art classes and courses, upcoming exhibitions, art-orientated news, and useful links to galleries' websites and other art-themed sites.

Artists can also have a profile on the site, with a link to their own website, and details of where site visitors can see their work.

The scheme, to be launched at the theatre on October 5, will offer artists working in the area affordable exhibition space at the venue.

The event will be a Royal College of Art-style 'secret' exhibition of 100 framed, postcard-sized works by local artists, whose identity will not be revealed until after the work is sold.

Contributors range from top selling artists Brian Lewis, Brian Ryder and June and Alwyn Crawshaw, to Professional Photographer of the Year, David Morris of Cromer, and all work will have a selling price of �40.

Karen, a lifelong art enthusiast, devised and ran a popular art feature for the paper for more than two years, as well as working on freelance publicity campaigns for a number of local artists and galleries.

'I think the area is quite unique for its visual arts scene and we are incredibly lucky to have the highest concentration of working artists in East Anglia, as well as an amazing number of outstanding galleries," she said.

'The idea is for galleries to work together to attract visitors, and as artists often find it difficult to promote their work, what I would like to do is to provide a central 'hub' which benefits everybody with an interest in art.'

There would also be lots of work by upcoming artists, ranging from contemporary mixed media studies to more traditional oil paintings and watercolours.

The North Norfolk Artspace 'secret' exhibition of 100 postcard-sized works by local artists will run at Sheringham Little Theatre from October 5 - November 1.

For more information, visit www.northnorfolkartspace.co.uk, e-mail kjbethell@aol.com, or phone Karen Bethell on 01263 823633.