THE mastermind behind a unique art workspace which sparked global interest is set to launch its latest project in Winchester.

New Forest-based organisation Space Placemaking and Urban Design (SPUD) was responsible for developing the award-winning Stephen Turner’s Exbury Egg project – a sustainable art workspace that floated in the River Beaulieu.

Now SPUD is bringing new ideas to Winchester with its floating observatory, which will launch later this month.

The project will give art-lovers the opportunity to be “a fly on the wall” and see how each artist uses the space to gather their thoughts and inspirations.

The Observatory will spend its first six months in the grounds of Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium before moving to Lymington in July.

Six artists were chosen from 100 applications, each spending two months using the space. Artist Simon Ryder, visual artist and filmmaker Sean Harris, and multi-disciplinary artist Isabella Martin have been picked for the Winchester leg.

They are followed by installation artist Katie Surridge, Jilly Morris, who uses collage and a variety of drawing techniques, and community sculpture, video and textiles artist Alice Angus, who will take it in turns for the Lymington section.

Schoolchildren and community groups are expected to attend the launch at Winchester Science Centre tomorrow, between 2-5pm.

The observatory has been custom-built with a rotating system that creates the illusion that it is floating above the ground.

Principal associate at SPUD, Phil Smith said: “What a fantastic start to 2015 to bring The Observatory to life in Winchester. We are confident that the project will be well received and that the selected artists will produce a fascinating variety of work that explores The Observatory and its locations, offering a wide range of ideas and opportunities for the public to see artists at work.”

There will also be a learning and engagement programme which will run alongside The Observatory residencies, including school and community workshops, talks and outreach work with universities and special interest groups.

For more details go to lookinlookout.org.