VISITORS to the Art Market York event at York Racecourse are invited to help make a public piece of art between Friday and Sunday, even if they have never before lifted a paintbrush.

The People’s Painting will take shape during the three-day art, design and contemporary craft show, where paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glassware, jewellery, homewares, lighting, leather goods and wire and metal work can be bought directly from 100 artists, priced from £5 to £20,000, and commissions can be placed too.

"The Art Market event has come about because sculptor Brendan Hesmondhalgh traditionally sells his work at art shows in London, but to lots of Yorkshire folk, and ends up bringing all his sculptures back up north again, which is a nonsense," says director Monica Green.

"With the recent Centre of Ceramic Art show in York and the forthcoming Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester, the north is becoming a more vibrant region for artists and art lovers."

Monica adds: "The Art Market is different because it offers more than 100 artists on show, with around ten from York and North Yorkshire, and 12 students, mainly from Yorkshire, being given their first chance to exhibit and receive mentoring from professional artists.

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Becky D's "taxtiles" work ar Art Market York

"There's a wide range of disciplines being exhibited, including taxtiles, an unusual art form that merges textiles and taxidermy; there's interaction with artists in talks, workshops and demonstrations, and there's the chance to take part by joining in the People's Painting. The event will be fun, interactive and educational."

Art Market organiser and sculptor Brendan Hesmondhalgh says: “We want to show that anyone can be creative and have fun with art. The People’s Painting will be your chance to ‘make your mark’ and add a splash of colour to a canvas. We have no idea what the final painting will look like but it will be exciting to see it develop over the three days.”

The work for sale will be complemented by demonstrations; interactive areas; a café; live music; a RAW talent newcomers’ section; a Living Plinth with performances; plus artist talks and workshops. "You can even test your wits against Jim Bond's life-size sculpture of the children’s game Operation, complete with live buzzer," says Brendan.

FRiday's programme, running from 10am to 5pm, will include an 11am talk about her work by York ceramic artist Jill Ford, entitled From Sketch To Vessel – A Creative Journey. At 12 noon, ceramicist and Art Market York event organiser Emily Stubbs will discuss her colourful work in her Patterns, Processes & Pots talk.

During the day at the Living Plinth, Brendan Hesmondhalgh, James Oughtibridge and Rachel Nettles will create work live. Jamie Frost will run three fast-paced life drawing workshops for all skill levels at 10.30am to 12 noon, 1pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 4.30pm Jamie Frost. "Come along and have a go," urges Jamie.

Saturday's opening hours will be 10am to 5pm too. Cari-Jane Hakes will chart her journey from award-winning architect to jeweller in her 11am talk From Big To Small Or How An Architect Became A Goldsmith, followed at 12 noon by sculptress Samantha Bryan discussing her inspiration and processes.

At the Living Plinth, Matthew Thompson will paint two paintings of cityscapes simultaneously, while Hesmondhalgh and Oughtibridge will continue to create their biggest pieces of work to date, making a unique piece together. Visitors can watch and talk to the artists.

Rebecca Appleby will run three Mark Making In Clay workshops from 10.30am to 12 noon, 1pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 4.30pm on a first come, first served, drop-in basis. "Whatever your experience of working with clay, I'll support your learning," says Rebecca.

Sunday's opening hours will be one hour shorter, from 10am to 4pm. Ceramic artist David Roberts will reflect on his life as a Raku artist in his 11am talk, Materials, Process And The Transformation Of Ideas, and textile artist Liliane Taylor will talk about her processes, career and inspirations at 12 noon.

The Living Plinth will play host to David Cemmick sculpting a large hare’s head and Hesmondhalgh and Oughtibridge will race against time to finish their largest ever works by the end of the day.

In the Art Of Pattern Making workshops, there will be the chance to learn basic pattern-making techniques to make a sleeve, a skirt and a bodice at different times during the day. Workshop times once more will be 10.30am to12 noon, 1pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 4.30pm and all sessions are drop-in and free to attend.

Tickets for Art Market York will be available on the door each day or in advance at artmarkets.co.uk. Under-16s will be admitted for free.