ARTISTS across Ilkley are busy getting ready for the influx of visitors this year's Art Trail will bring.

Entry is free to see their work of over 60 artists will exhibit their work at locations across the town.

"Venues are open from 10am to 5pm each day from Thursday, October 6 to Sunday, October 9. All venues are free. We also have lots of other events happening this year from contemporary dance to a children’s art workshop – so do have a look at the programme to see what is in," said Sarah Thomas, chair of Ilkley Arts.

With 50 per cent of new artists exhibiting this year there are many highlights.

Highlights picked out by Sarah include:

Julia Keates – her preoccupation is colour and is inspired by location and capturing a fleeting moment. Julia works in oil and acrylic. Julia will be in the Town Hall, Venue No 1 with Eric Moss - ceramics, James Green - linocut, Mike Smith - linocut, Brian Hindmarch - printmaker and Adam Dodson - photographer.

Mandy Long’s ceramic sculptures capture the energy and dynamism of sport and dance. Mandy will be in Venue No 3 – Cornmill Art Space with oil painter David Starley, printmakers Sarah Harris and Liz Owens and mixed media artist, Paula Dunn.

Northern Potters are joining the Trail this year with seven of their members exhibiting a wide range of beautiful ceramics in the new Ilkley Art Studio, Venue 4 in Back Nelson Road.

Chris Bailey will be back again this year with her beautiful glasswork influenced by colour and movement that can be observed in nature and the elements of earth, air, fire and water. Chris will be exhibiting with several other artists including Joy Godfrey, Linda King and Ken Jaquiery in the Studio also in Back Nelson Road. A great venue with lots of variety of work on show.

Howard Gardiner, ceramics and Carol Gardiner, printmaker will be exhibiting for the first time on the Trail in Trafalgar Road, Venue 7 with Champagne Birds wire sculptures and Libby Jubb, jeweller – plenty to see in this delightful venue.

Leatherwork, woodwork and bookbinding can all be found in Wellington Road, Venue 9. A great mix of high quality beautifully hand crafted items.

Finally, Jonathan Cooke who works in small scale traditional stained and painted leaded and unipartite panels as well as watercolour landscapes and pencil drawings will be exhibiting in his studio at Venue 15 at 5 Tivoli Place.

EME, in Ilkley’s main car park, venue No 25 will be showcasing a number of the artists’ work whose exhibition spaces are in the more outlying venues. A great way to get a taste of what is on offer

For an early taster go to the Flying Duck who are showing 5 artists who will be exhibiting in the Trail this year. Exhibition is on until the Trail ends.

"We hope this year that everyone who comes to the Trail will find something that inspires them to try some new art project, buy a lovely piece of art for their home or for a loved one or learn something from talking to one of the many artists they will meet during the Trail," added Sarah.

"If you need some advice about the Trail or who to go and see pop into the Town Hall from Thursday, October 6 at 10am and one of the venue hosts will be able to give you lots of guidance and help."

Programmes are widely available in lots of shops and venues around the town such as the Grove Book Shop, Nora’s and the Art Shop from the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall.

You can also see all the artists and examples of their work on the Art Trail website – www.ilkleyarttrail.org.uk