A POP-UP up art exhibition in the centre of Cirencester will take place this weekend to launch the hotly anticipated start of the Cotswold Open Studios.

Galleries and artists including The Stag Gallery, M.A.D.E, The New Brewery Arts, Framemakers Gallery and The Coln Gallery will showcase their work at the two-day event to be held at The Gallery, an open space above The Crown Inn in West Market Place on June 13 and 14.

Cotswold Open Studios runs over three consecutive weekends in June, 13 and 14, 20 and 21 and the 27 and 28 between 10am and 4pm.

The Open Studios will see the region’s most talented artists and makers invite the public to visit their studios showcasing their creativity and talent.

Artists include sculptors, printmakers and ceramicists. There is also a group exhibition of all the makers at Wetpaint Gallery 11-27 June, open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm.

There are 14 venues, including the Quenington Fresh Air Scultpure Show, shich also opens this weekend (see page for more details).

Cotswold Open Studios is being run by Charlie Hill of Artventure.

She said: “I am so excited to be taking this project on for the first time this year. We have such a fantastic range of artists, including some who have never participated in the open studios before.

“It is a great opportunity to be a part of the event and cannot wait to continue to make it a bigger success each year we run.

“It’s such a fantastic prospect to be uncovering such incredible talent right on our doorsteps. This year the event is all about maintaining a high standard of work and recognising a wider variety of artistic styles.”

Crown and The gallery owner Bill Daley is delighted to be hosting the first event. “Artventure held an exhibition here last year and it was a real hit. We like to host different types of events in The Gallery as it as great a space for exhibitions as it is for family celebrations.”

* Go to cotswoldopenstudios.com for more details of the artists. Maps are available from Wetpaint Gallery, tourist information and other art venues