GREEN Door Studio artists are staging their biggest, and what promises to be their best, art trail this weekend.

Along with local galleries such as Burgundys and Youdells at Kendal, Low Sizergh Barn, Ulverston's Tinners Rabbit, Low Newton's Yew Tree Barn and the Beach Hut at Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, scores of the arts co-operatives's members will be opening their studios and creative homes for the 11th art trail, which is staged on Saturday and Sunday (April 9/10).

Definitely one to see, painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramic and textile artists, jewellers and glassmakers will all be showing their work.

Included will be Frances Winder, Sally Bamber, Jill Pemberton, Jamie Barnes, Angie Mitchell, Lisa Harrison, Emma Louise Wilson, Colin Reynolds, Donna Campbell, Christine Rooney, Jo McGrath, Thuline de Cock; the full list of the highly thought of artists involved in the event is just too long to mention.

Green Door artists share a passion for outstanding art, but their individual expression covers every artistic discipline, traditional through to contemporary techniques.

Chairman of the popular group, furniture maker, Keith Shorrock, said that the Green Door Art Trail was now a well established part of the cultural scene in South Lakes, and after more than a decade, is larger than ever, reflecting GDS's wide range of talented local artists.

He added: “Inspiration is varied. Of course, the Cumbrian lakes and fells infuse many pieces - form, colour, change. But this is just the start, and the artists’ diverse world backgrounds mean a vibrant mix of styles.”

Among the 11 artists exhibiting at the Athenaeum Village Hall, Leasgill - which includes photographer, Colin Reynolds, and printmaker, Kath Lockhart - will be one of the region's most gifted painters, Catherine MacDiarmid.

Work by Catherine has been accepted into the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour with two paintings going on show in The Mall Galleries, from April 6-16.

Catherine's Personal Space Dancer and Personal Space Shy were selected from more than 900 entries worldwide to appear alongside paintings by some of Britain’s leading watercolourists in the Royal Institute of Painters exhibition at the London venue.

The RI holds an open submission exhibition in central London each year. Founded in 1831, it was established to exhibit the best contemporary watercolours, showing a diversity of styles and techniques, from traditional uses of the medium to the more experimental and innovative paintings.

Art lovers can download a map of the Green Door Art Trail at www.greendoor.org.uk.

Meanwhile, the recent GDS art auction raised £750 for Space2Create.