ARTISTS and crafters are getting ready to exhibit their work in Musselburgh during the town’s open studio weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Ten venues will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm each day, with 21 artists and crafters taking part in the event, which was launched last year.

Organiser Jacky Thow said: “Artists and crafters will open their work to the public, whether that is in their studio, home or other venue.

“The artworks cover a broad range of disciplines, including painting, drawing, pottery, stained glass and jewellery, so there will be something to suit every taste.

“Most of the artworks will be for sale but if visitors are just looking to browse and chat, the artists will be pleased to see them.”

Alistair McIntyre, known as ‘Specky Al’ in his work, will be sharing the gallery in the garden of his Mayfield Crescent home with two other artists for the open studio weekend.

He has announced that he will be stepping back as an organiser of the event to focus on completing his art degree but is delighted to leave it in good hands, paying tribute to Jacky and to Nancy Bryce, who will continue as organisers.

Mr McIntyre said: “I have enjoyed the challenge of starting the project of an open studio weekend in Musselburgh.

“It was always my intention to recruit some volunteers for the organisers’ group, which was easier than I anticipated.

“I had funded the beginning just to get it up and running and, because it’s much easier to gain support from local businesses and people once something is established, sponsorship is starting to appear.

“I have really enjoyed meeting all the people and will continue to take part and even share my gallery space.

“It’s been great watching the way the organisers have stepped up as I gradually stepped back – a real blessing not only for me but also for them, all the artists and the people of Musselburgh.”

Artists and crafters taking part include: Nancy Bryce, paintings and giclee prints; Judith Rown, prints; Art Yasuma, mixed media paintings; Jackie MacPherson, drawing and painting; Beckman Pottery; Jacqueline Thow, drawing and portraits; LuChiChi Jewellery; Jewellery by JQ; Lucia Main, paintings; Ruthie Q Designs, silver jewellery; James Drysdale, oil painting; Pam Strachan, painting and drawing; Specky Al, painting; Lorraine Banias, painting, linoprint and gelliprint; Victoria Gazeley, painting, drawing and illustration; Shimmer on the Sea, stained glass; Prisca Kemp, pastel and pencil drawings on paper, card or wood board; Jane Fletcher, drawings and paintings; Gabriella Palermo, painting; Euan Cameron, oil paintings on boards or canvas; and JIMSART, acrylic paintings.

The open studio weekend is being sponsored by Southfield, which offers digital print, web to print, gifts and merchandise, embroidery, garment printing and bespoke packaging.

Go to musselburghartistsopenstudios.weebly.com for more information on the open studio weekend.