ARTISTS across Egremont will pick up their paintbrushes and pastels this month to support a countywide festival.

C-Art, a visual arts programme organised by Eden Arts, involves open studios and galleries and will include workshops at Florence Arts Centre.

Alongside the free workshops, visitors can discover new art and meet the artists.

Florence’s building and marketing manager Craig Carruthers said: “The highlight is the open studios and galleries event which will take place from September 10 to September 25.”

This year’s C-Art sees over 79 venues and 110 artists, designers and independent galleries will open their doors to the public with numerous art and craft workshops, demonstrations and special exhibitions taking place.

In Egremont, there will be a gallery hub and a new exhibition of work from nine local artists using natural materials – wool, willow, chalk, charcoal, pigments and more.

Taking part this year are: Phil Bradley; Mark Gibbs; Rachel Gibson; Carolyn Marr; Jenni Payne; Irene Sanderson; Angela Strange; Richard Wood and Tim Wood.

And workshops will include willow weaving, making pastels using the Egremont Red pigment from Florence Mine, felting, working with ink, wax, stencils and more.

There will also be an opportunity to fire your own pot using Japanese raku techniques, with a free demonstration on Thursday, September 15.

For further information about Florence Arts Centre, contact office@florencemine.co.uk, call 01946 824946 or visit www.florencemine.com