COME August, many art lovers descend on Grasmere to immerse themselves in one of the most exciting exhibitions on Cumbria's cultural calendar - the Lake Artists Society show.

Running this year until Wednesday, September 6 at the New Hall, among the 40 or so acclaimed artistic heavyweights exhibiting their must-see paintings, sculptures, ceramics and other artworks in the 113th LAS summer exhibition are George Cannon, Dawn Chandler, Ian Walton, Fiona Clucas, Danny Clahane, Kate Bentley, Marion Bradley, Alan Stones, Stephen Darbishire, Martin Greenland, Catherine Macdiarmid, Rebecca Payn, Martin Tomlinson, Vivienne Pooley, Gordon Griffiths, Ron Dickens, Hideyuki Sobue, Beverley White, Sally Toms - the list is endless.

Adding a distinct Italian flavour to the show is Cumbria's own Canaletto, Phil Hobbs. Included in his works gracing the walls of the exhibition are a few of his watercolours of Venice - Ponte dei Pugni, Rio San Barnaba, and San Barnaba from Ca' Rezzonico.

Both of the paintings feature in Phil's just published tome Venice - A Watercolour Journey, which available to buy at exhibition.

An exceptional gifted and versatile artist, Phil has been painting Venetian vistas for more than 20 years, capturing the very essence of the magical city.

Turning the pages of the lavishly illustrated book is like gliding along with casual ease on a vaporetto absorbing the light and architecture of one of the most fascinating places on Earth.

Actually, you can almost smell the waft of freshly baked croissants, panini and coffee.

The LAS exhibition is open 10.30am-4.30pm daily.