ARTISTS and craftspeople are invited to take part in this year’s Peacock Arts Trail, a week-long celebration of art and creativity in and around Corsham.

The arts trail runs from Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 13, and organisers have announced that registration is open until March 31.

The popular open studios event is based in Corsham and reaches out to Chippenham, Box, Melksham, Holt, Atworth, Kington Langley and all the villages in between.

“Taking part in an arts trail offers creatives a chance to promote their work to a very engaged audience,” said Victoria Jarman of the Peacock team.

“It can be a leap of faith opening your studio for the first time, but so many artists find it worthwhile and enjoyable.

“If people fancy dipping their toes in, they can join up with another artist or there are limited spaces in some of the shared community venues. We also welcome groups and visiting artists from outside our immediate area.”

The Peacock Arts Trail is a biennial visual arts festival.

The community and artist-run trail began in 2013 and has been steadily increasing in popularity with exhibitors and visitors.

Fifty-five artists, sculptors and artisans took part in 2015 and more than 70 in 2017, either in their own studios and homes or in public buildings.

The trail attracted around 1,000 visitors in Corsham town centre in 2017. Organisers says it is still small enough to feel personal and welcoming.

The nine-day event also provides an opportunity, through different practical activities, to demonstrate to the public the value and benefits of art in people’s lives.

A host of talented local creatives has already signed up for this year’s trail, including sculptor in stone Kathy Wood, who will be exhibiting at the Corsham Almshouses, and ceramics artist, Claire Baker.

Claire’s work revisits the memories and emotions associated with vintage ceramics, using press moulding and hand-building techniques, and will be exhibited at The Plough, Chapel Knapp, Gastard.

Painters Elizabeth and Humphry Barnikel, Chris Dunn and Kate Davies have also signed up.

For more information and to book a place, visit peacockartstrail.co.uk.