The search is on to find artists to take part in the third Exeter Open Studios event.

The City Council has given a grant to Exeter Art Spaces who with support from a committee of participating artists will coordinate the event which is due to take place between Friday 7 and Sunday 9 November as part of the City Council's Autumn Festival.

Last year saw 29 venues across the city opening their doors to the public to show art in its working environment, with 38 individual artists and two artists groups with over 46 members taking part. It is estimated that over 2,500 people attended the event, contributing over £18,000 worth of sales for Exeter's thriving art and crafts community.

The group is keen to hear from any Exeter based artists who would like to take part this year. A registration fee of £75 will be charged to take part in the event and that will go towards the production of 10,000 copies of the event guide in full colour, with individual entries for each artist, plus the publicity and marketing costs.

Exeter City Council Media Release 30 April 2008

Early risers who also enjoy the countryside are being challenged to recognise the wild bird song they hear in the early mornings.

People who want to tell the notes of a robin from the song of a blackbird are invited to join a free guided walk with the Countryside Rangers at Mincinglake Valley Park on Sunday (4 May).

The walk, which takes place on International Dawn Chorus Day, will provide a great opportunity to explore Mincinglake with a bird expert, and look at other springtime wildlife in the meadows and woodland.

By the end of the walk, those with a keen ear should be confident in recognising at least five different native bird songs.

Walkers should bring binoculars if they have them to see the birds up close. Participants should meet at Mincinglake Valley Park Car Park, off Stoke Hill, near Sylvania Community Hut, at 7am.

For more information see the Exeter City Council website

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