OPEN Studios, Ashley Road, Altrincham, is holding an Open Evening on Friday, March 27, from 6pm to 9pm.

The facility is there for professional artists and newcomers alike and people who want to set up businesses with a creative element to them.

Open Studios Altrincham main objective is to promote the Visual Arts in the community. It gives people the opportunity to develop personally, increase confidence and gain a sensibility about the arts. It does this by hosting and promoting groups, events, workshops and classes on an ongoing basis.

The studios are located next to Helgasson's Pharmacy and director Jo Cushing said: "We see it same as going to the gym, but for the arts. You can pop in and paint or work with clay or develop some prints in the dark room, whatever you want.

"Classes are provided in the following subjects: stitching, life drawing, painting and drawing, creative arts, photography, ceramics, lino printing and cartoon and games design. They are taught by talented professional artists, one of them who is Maria Stuart, who teaches drawing and painting.

"It is nice to work with people who are interested. Everyone has enthusiasm and it inspires me to teach when I can see the enjoyment. People become confident in what they do and the progression is immense.

"The rest of the class are friendly and supportive and even though some of them are professional artists or have fine arts degrees I have never felt intimidated or undervalued. That is one of the reasons I have kept going back. I now feel I have found another group of friends."