Surrey Artists Open Studios is an annual visual arts opportunity for the public to visit studios, meet artists and makers, view demonstrations, buy artwork, enter a free prize draw, view taster exhibitions and take part in creative workshops. Studio locations are throughout Surrey and around its borders.

To kick start the Open Studios event there will be three taster exhibitions allowing visitors the chance to view a selection of artists' work from across Surrey at one venue, giving them an insight as to what they can expect to see when visiting studios in June and July.

The Surrey taster exhibition is at East Surrey College, Gatton Point North, Claremont Road, Redhill, RH1 2JX, www.esc.ac.uk/rsdm. From Monday 30th April to Friday 18th May 2012, opening hours from 10am to 5pm (closed Sundays). 60 participating Open Studios artists have submitted work for this exhibition. Artwork will include ceramics, woodwork, paintings, original prints, sculpture, photography and mixed media. The whole of the atrium space will be used in the first Surrey Open Studios taster show of this size.

West Surrey Taster exhibition at Lewis Elton Gallery, University of Surrey from 9th–24th May 2012, www.surrey.ac.uk/arts/visualarts or call 01483 682167. Open Mon–Fri 10am–5pm (weekends by appointment only). 40 artists participating in the West areas of Surrey Open Studios have submitted work for this exhibition. Artwork will include ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, original prints, sculpture, photography and mixed media.

Selected Surrey taster show at Bournseside Gallery, 55 Station Road, Gomshall, GU5 9NP, 01483 202433, www.bournesidegallery.moonfruit.com. Exhibition runs from 4th June – 23rd July. Open Mon 12 – 5pm, Tue – Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 11am – 4pm. Artists from participating Open Studios have submitted work. Selected artists include book artist and bursary winner: Angela Thames. This new idyllic gallery situated above Tillings Cafe in the heart of Surrey, with easy access on the A25 or train from Guildford accommodates work from 19th and 20th Century printmakers and glass exhibited alongside local visual arts and craft.

What's new for Surrey Artists Open Studios summer event?

A new bursary scheme for emerging and none commercial artists who are not able to afford the participation fee to Open Studios offers the artist inclusion in the Surrey arts community and a more diverse and exciting range of art to the public.

For the first time an additional weekend to the established June event is being offered. This will be 20th-22nd July to coincide with the Olympic Torch coming to Surrey

There will be an additional prize draw. Any member of the public that visits more than three studios on bicycle during the June event and has their loyalty card signed by the studios they visit will be entitled to enter an extra free prize draw for cyclists! This extra prize draw is being held in celebration of the Olympic Road Cycle races coming to Surrey on the 28th and 29th July.

'There is such a great collective of styles on offer, and with over 160 studios, there will be one open just around the corner!' Caroline Jackman, SAOS Coordinator

Look out for the orange Open Studios flags and balloons or pick up a brochure at your local library or arts venue.

www.surreyopenstudios.org.uk Call 01483 519285 for a brochure.