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Art lovers in north Wales are being given the opportunity to get a rare glimpse into the creative and often private world of artists this September with the .

Maud Telastuo in her Ruthin studio © Simon Proffitt

Helfa Gelf began in 2006 in Conwy, and with each subsequent year it has expanded to Denbighshire, then Flintshire and to Gwynedd.

Now in its fifth year, the annual open studio event had an unprecedented number of applications in 2010, bringing the total number of artists taking part to 171, with 125 studios opening their doors to the public across north Wales.

The project aims to make art more accessible to the community, and to get visitors involved in the creative processes that take place in the artists' studios

Workshops are also set to take place within a number of the studios so that visitors are able to try anything from painting and collage to lace making.

Sabine Cockrill, project coordinator for Helfa Gelf/Art Trail says: "I really think there is something to suit everyone.

"Over three weekends in September, you can call in on painters, sculptors, photographers, jewellery makers, woodworkers, potters, textile artists, glass makers, basket weavers, digital artists and many more, each one with a highly individual skill."

Artist Lisa Carter at work in her studio in Llannefydd, Conwy © Simon Proffitt

Helfa Gelf / Art Trail runs from 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26 September in Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire. For more information .

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