A FLOATING art gallery is just one of the attractions on offer in Marlow and beyond from this weekend as the biggest celebration of creativity in the area opens for another year.

Bucks Open Studios this year features 17 skilled residents from around Marlow open their doors to the public over the next two weeks for the annual festival of art and crafts.

Illustrations, pottery, stained glass, paintings, photography, mosaics, patchwork, sculpture, textiles and ceramics will be on show at various locations throughout the town.

Among the attractions is a vintage dutch barge moored at Bisham Abbey Sailing School.

‘Art Afloat’ contains a range of paintings and sculptures inspired by cruising the river Thames and gives visitors the chance to see works in progress aboard the classic boat.

Grade I listed Marlow Place also opens its doors to the public through creative agency Twogether, with nine artists and makers displaying their work in the Geogrian mansion on Station Road.

Three artists are pooling their creative talent to display works at Christmas Cottage, behind Jolliffe’s, with mixed media collages, ceramics and glassware on show at weekends and on Wednesdays.

One of these artists, mixed media specialist Sharon Bennett, is exhibiting for the first time. She said: "I have been an admirer of the Bucks Open Studios, from a visitors perspective, for many years and am very excited to be exhibiting for the first time.

"The advertising, catalogues and signage are all very impressive, as are the useful and helpful hints given by the local event organisers.

"As a visitor you really get to appreciate the breadth, quality and diversity of skills in the local area. You get a chance to meet many local artists and watch the many demonstrations taking place, which may encourage the budding artist in you. Plus it's all free!"

As well as attractions throughout Marlow Town, a plethora of open studios can be found in Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow, Bisham and Hurley.

And among the attractions in High Wycombe are a garden art trail within the grounds of the historic Wycombe Museum on Priory Avenue.

Now in its 29th year, Bucks Open Studios is the largest visual arts event in the county and one of the largest in the country, and takes place from June 7 to 22.

It features over 500 artists and makers across the county including painters, glass workers, basket weavers, metal workers, wood turners and jewellery makers.

Each opens their studios to the public for free to put on demonstrations, exhibitions and workshops.

Full listings can be found at www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk