EXPLORE AWESOME ART ON YOUR DOORSTEP WITH BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS

Milton Keynes is a creative place - that's hardly news. But assembling so many vibrant creative types and having them show their abilities under the annual Bucks Open Studios banner is worth shouting about. The two-week long event - running through to June 22 - is bubbling with local brilliance, and  lots of opportunities to have access to the artists themselves. "...Bucks Open Studios covers a vast array of artistic disciplines and levels of involvement from professional artists with international reputations to passionate hobbyists," said Bob and Anne Marshall, the new Joint Chairs of Bucks Open Studios. "So whether you are an art enthusiast or just fancy an interesting day out, you can talk directly to the artists about their work, watch demonstrations and even be inspired to take up a new hobby." Among the many, many opportunities to engage with those involved is a chance to join Diana Tonnison when she holds an outdoor raku firing demonstration. Saturday's (June 14) event in Hanslope will be open to all, and children will be able to glaze a ceramic item. Milton Keynes has its own Art Trail as part of BOS, with exhibitions and events all over. Participants include Milton Keynes Printmakers, Deborah Hopson who specialises in prints and pots, ceramics from the aforementioned Diana Tonnison, Brenda Fisher who specialises in Watercolour and Acrylic Paintings, Inter-Action MK, Westbury Arts Centre, Andre Macdermott and his pottery pieces and Cate Wetherall who creates beautiful wildlife portraits in pastel. Full details and opening times of all events are a click away: www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk