ARTISTS and craftspeople throughout North Yorkshire are preparing to open their studios for two weekends in June.

The annual North Yorkshire Open Studios event allows art lovers the chance to visit some unique and beautiful spaces, ranging from blacksmith’s forges and farmyard studios to stone cottages and suburban living rooms.

The impact of the landscape, from the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales to the drama of the coastline, can be tracked through the work of more than 130 artists taking part, from jewellers, painters and potters to blacksmiths and sculptors.

Husband and wife painters Colin and Sheila Smithson, who have a studio in their home in Forest, near Richmond. His boldly coloured pictures are inspired by the Dales, while his wife’s main focus is on gardens, including their own.

Near Ripon, at her home in Copt Hewick, Dorothy Thelwall is also inspired by her garden and by a multitude of life forms. Car boot sales are a recent subject, following a two-year photographic study, and other paintings reflect her intensive abstract study of colour and shape. She also creates large needlepoint tapestries based on small collages of imaginary faces. Refreshments will be available at her studio, and produce and plants will be on sale in aid of the village hall.

Over on the North York Moors, blacksmith Matthew Dwyer and sculptor Jennifer Tetlow, who is inspired by nature and wildlife, will be willing to explain their approach to metal and stone. Among the many artists based along the coast is Lynne Wixon, of Robin Hood’s Bay, who recently completed the Northumberland to Teesside stage of painting her way around the coast of England.

The central locations inland includes potter Charlotte Morrison, of Masham, who creates decorative ceramics, while painters Debbie Loane and Martin Huxter will welcome visitors to the Lund Gallery, near Easingwold.

Artists in Upper Wensleydale include Carol Tyler (abbey and monastery ruins and medieval wall paintings) at Hawes; Andrea Hunter (felt pictures with an affinity to the Dales), at Hardraw; Helene Shovlar (contemporary silver jewellery), at Cotterdale; and Angela Keeble (abstract paintings) in Bainbridge.

Much of the adventure lies in tracking down the studios using the helpful event guide. The two weekends are June 9 to 10 and June 16 to 17, from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

Full details of all artists taking part can be found on the website nyos.org.uk. For a free studio guide, contact organisers Art Connections on 01756-748529 or email info@art-connections.org.uk.

Also available this year is an events programme that includes workshops, secret tea parties and installations at a range of heritage sites. At the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, paper artist Sarah Morpeth, who makes books and work in cut paper, is producing work inspired by its archives which will be open from June 7 to July 4.