THE fourth annual York Open Studios Weekend has attracted a record number of exhibitors.

On April 9 and 10, 41 York artists and craft makers will open up their studios and houses, offering the public the chance to meet them and see and buy art and craft in an informal environment, rather than the usual gallery setting.

Anne Hutchison, of the Open Studios committee, says: "This event features more artists than ever, working in a great variety of media, including painting, print making, furniture, ceramics, sculpture and jewellery.

"We've been holding a taster exhibition of the artists' work in the City Screen bar, which will run until April 4, and we're doing promotional events such as artist workshops in various community groups in York."

Printmaking will be represented by Julie Bailey at:

Lyngarth Cottage, The Village, Stockton-on-the-Forest; Sue Brown, Holmefield Community Centre, Heslington; Sally Clarke, Tang Hall Lane, York; Milena Dragic, Danesmead Close; Mary Greene, West Moor Lane, Heslington; Pamela Knight, Norfolk Street; Patrick Smith, Cromer Street, off Burton Stone Lane; and Peter Wray, rear of Fox Inn, The Village, Stockton-on-the-Forest.

Mark Azopardi presents watercolour paintings at Danesmead Wing, Room 11, 33 Fulford Cross, York; Richard Barnes, painting and digital graphics, Bootham School; Mira Bogicevic, still-life painting and block-printed textiles, Newland Park Close; Judy Burnett, mixed-media paintings, Holly Terrace; Susanne Clark, acrylic and mixed-media paintings, Shilton Garth Close; Linda Combi, drawings, collages, graphics, Rose Cottage, Main Street, Shipton-by-Beningbrough.

Susan Dennis specialises in figurative watercolours and oils, Wentworth Road, York; Adrienne French, abstract landscapes, East Parade, Heworth; Sian Gabraitis, landscape painting and prints, The Mount School, Dalton Terrace; Freya Horsley, mixed-media painting, Bootham School; Anne Hutchison, figurative drawing and mixed-media work, East Parade, Heworth; David Patrick, landscape and cityscape drawing and painting, Norfolk Street; Jerry Scott, abstract works, Cotswold House, The Green, Stillingfleet; Lesley Seeger, painting inspired by nature, East Parade, Heworth; and Rachel Stainsby, mixed-media painting and textiles, Studio 15, Fishergate Centre, Fishergate.

For ceramics, visit Ben Arnup in The Studios, Panman Lane, Holtby; Catherine Boyne-Whitelegg, Drome Road, Copmanthorpe; Isobel K-J Denyer and Chris Utley, Virginia Cottage, Main Street, Holtby; Jill Ford, Ascot Road, Wigginton; Peter Humpherson, York Road, Haxby; Ruth King, Rose Cottgae, Main Street, Shipton-by-Beningbrough; Louise MacLeod (also glass), Ascot Road, Wigginton; and Ilona Sulikova, Holmefield Community Centre.

For sculpture, seek out Rachel Antill, at Bootham School, and Sally Arnup, in Panman Lane, Holtby; textiles, Sallie Temple, in Danesmead Wing, and Jacqueline James, Rosslyn Street, Clifford; jewellery, Charmian Ottaway, East Parade Heworth; glass, Francesca Green, The Mount School; furniture, Nick Clarke, Holly Terrace; photography, Wendy Hodges, The Mount School; cane vessels, Michael Mulkay, East Parade.

The studios will be open from 10am to 6pm next weekend, and each location will display a York Open Studios 2005 sign. A free directory with a detailed map of locations and artist profiles is available from all York libraries or by email from info@yorkopenstudios.co.uk.

Those planning to travel around the event by bicycle will find a Cycle Route Map at libraries.

Updated: 08:55 Friday, April 01, 2005