Talented artists across the county will be taking part in the annual Herts Open Studios event which gets underway next Saturday, September 6.

Organised by Herts Visual Arts, it runs for three weeks and is a chance to go along to free exhibitions put on by local artists, craftmakers and artisans.

Linda Warminger, Herts Open Studios project manager, said this year there were 154 artists exhibiting in 94 exhibitions across the county. She went on: “There’s a mix of regular exhibitors and new artists and craftmakers, all showing their latest pieces.”

Among the artists taking part in the St Albans area is Gerry Wilmer, who creates celebrations of trees, sea and landscapes in the form of paintins, giclee prints and cards.

Jonathan Higgins sculpts figures inspired by every everyday situations, fashion and photography in marble resin and acrylic.

Wheathampstead jewellery designer Rachel Jeffrey creates pieces in silver, gold, platinum and preciaous stones while Marshall Colman is one of a few British potters working in tin glazed earthenward, creating painted ceramic bowls and dishes.

Also exhibiting will be Flea Cooke who creates stitched textile collages.

In the Harpenden area there will be still-life oil paintings from Fiona Gaskell, watercolours from Sue Wookey and Raku porcelain by Pauline Ashley.

Paul Diggins will be opening his studios to show his figurative drawing, sculpture and painting while Opal Seabrook creates stained glass mirrors, fusion table and wall art and jewellery.

A pdf of the brochure can be downloaded from the website http://www.hvaf.org.uk/Open-Studios/Open-Studios-2014/. A brochure and printed copies can be obtained from galleries, art venues, libraries and tourist information centres.