RESIDENT artists at Southampton's The Arches are to throw open their doors and welcome the public at their open studios later this month.

The 18 artists at the grade II listed Victorian arches underneath Central Bridge hold the open studios event each year.

The weekend long event on August 20 and 21, hosted by the Arches residents and ‘a space arts’ who manage the studios, will give the public the chance too look around the spaces, meet the artists and even buy their work.

There will also be a group exhibition of new work on show and regular Sahaja yoga workshops by resident artist Jamie West.

Artists Nicola Anderson and Jo Willoughby will be exhibiting in Space 7.5, illustrator Greta Staron will be doing a live mural painting in Arch 10 and flute maker Tim Caves will be doing demonstrations on his lathe.

This summer’s event is set to be far bigger than previous years with the addition of a craft ale bar run by The Butcher’s Hook and vegan street food by local company Radical Roots.

The Arches will also play host to Creative Southampton who will be running one of their ever-popular ‘In Conversation with…’ events.

At 4pm on the Saturday, Catherine Wright will be discussing the context of Southampton in artists work with guests; musician, song writer and author Grant Sharkey and artist, founder-director of the Art of Heritage Festival (and Swallows & Amazons author, Arthur Ransome’s, great niece) Helen Trimarco Ransome.

The Arches will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm over the weekend.