The Open Houses initiative has really taken off in Belper. It brings many visitors into the town every year over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, and now the organisers would like to make contact with anyone who might be interested in participating in a similar scheme in Heanor.

Belper Open Houses takes place over one weekend in May (usually the second bank holiday) during which time artists and craft makers show and sell their work in private houses all over the town.

The costs of running the scheme are very low. Exhibiting artists and makers pay a small fee, usually around £10, to cover publicity and other costs.

Any house would be suitable for the purpose - all you have to do is make one room (or more) available for the weekend (other parts of the house can be out of bounds to the public).

Each house is decorated with balloons and bunting to show that the public is welcome to come in. House-owners have to be willing to take down their own pictures and clear some table space for exhibits.

Artists and makers have to agree to look after their own work, never leaving this as the responsibility of the houseowner.

House-owners can offer refreshments and are free to  charge for this either to cover their expenses or maybe even to raise money for a charity of their choice.

Belper Open Houses will be showing for the third year from 25 to 27 May from 10.30am to 5pm each day. As well as private houses, this year it includes over 30 venues open to the public including an architect office, a community centre, a cafe and an artist's workshop.

There will also be demonstration workshops during the weekend.

The event has all grown by local advertising and word of mouth and it’s amazing that the Belper area has so much hidden artistic talent who are now showcasing their work.

If you or your friends are interested in seeing how it works and possibly bringing the Open Houses project to Heanor, the Belper organiser, Viv Scott, would be happy to meet you and show you around some of the houses.

Viv says

“I think this would be an excellent event for Heanor and I am sure there are lots of artists and makers in the Heanor area who would love a chance like this to show and sell their work. As a person who originated from Heanor, I would love to see this event expand to the town and for Heanor to host its own Open Houses”.

If you would like to find our more, please get in touch for an informal chat by calling Viv on 01773 822253 or email her at vwilson3@btinternet.com