YORK artists will be opening their doors for the second weekend of the 2015 York Open Studios from tomorrow.

More than 90 painters, printmakers, sculptors, jewellers, photographers and furniture-makers are taking part in this free event, buoyed by the response to last weekend’s chance for visitors to discover studios “hidden” within York’s historic streets.

Artist David Patrick explains why this annual event is so special: “I’ve taken part in York Open Studios for 12 years and each year I meet hundreds of people who come to see and comment on my work, something that wouldn’t happen in any other circumstance.

“Hearing what the visitors have to say is a real benefit to me as an artist. What always surprises me is how individual drawings and paintings I exhibit appeal to different people; there’s no predicting who will like which work.

“But the strength of Open Studios is not the benefit to the individual artists. It’s the success of the event for the visitors, who wouldn’t get the opportunity to meet and view the work of so many artists in any other situation.”

David Patrick is exhibiting at Middletons Hotel with photographer Peter Byrne, jewellers Samantha Mills and Elizabeth Redfern and painter June Hardy, who says of the first weekend: “We had a great time at Middletons Hotel; more than 350 visitors on the first day.”

York Open Studios enables visitors to discover hidden corners of York while hunting out the artists’ studio in living rooms, garden sheds and other locations dotted across the York.

You can pop into studios, have a chat and perhaps a cup of tea with the artists and uncover the stories behind their work. You could even find a new artwork, piece of jewellery or handcrafted item to put in your home.

Every studio offers something different: a painter’s fresh depiction of a well-loved local landscape; the chance to learn the secrets of technique from a master printmaker; young up-and-coming artists exhibiting for the first time; living rooms stuffed full of fascinating art-inspiring objects.

Artist Samantha Snowden is showing her work at Bootham School alongside painters Richard Barnes, Emily Harper, Jelena Lunge and David Swales. “We had a great turn-out last weekend; can’t wait for tomorrow and Sunday,” she says.

Cathy Needham’s framed, unframed and sculptural felt artwork can be viewed in Chestnut Avenue, off Stockton Lane, in Heworth. She incorporates a variety of fabrics, fibres and hand-embellishment to create richly coloured and textured pieces.

The full list of locations and artists is available online at open studios.co.uk, and a free copy of the event map/guide can be picked up at any of the open studios. Look out for posters in artists’ windows and keep up to date with the event on the facebook page.

Opening hours will be 10am to 6pm tomorrow and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.