SOMERSET Art Weeks Open Studios 2012 kicks off next month with a host of visual arts.

Among the highlights at this year's event are beautiful garden ceramics, wood sculpture and bowls from sustainable sources, a silent auction for a Goldsmith's graduate's paintings, site-specific weaving and light installations, colourful limited edition etchings and dreamy watercolours inspired by the Somerset landscape. These and over 300 other diverse artworks will be on display in houses, barns, halls, studios and streets during Somerset Art Weeks 2012, which runs from September 15 to September 30.

Most studios are family friendly and some also cater for people with disabilities.

Visitors will have the chance to purchase or commission unique artworks, craft, jewellery and ceramics or, simply enjoy Somerset's art and culture.

To complement the Somerset spirit of artistic adventure, Somerset Art Works (SAW) are also staging several events and exhibitions.

SAW has commissioned Chantelle Henocq from Fire and Ice to work with graduate photographer Sebastian King and Somerset-based writer David Davis to produce images and words around the theme 'Artists and their creative space'.

The commission will be exhibited at the Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre's cafe gallery in Taunton during the Art Weeks.

The Brewhouse will also be transformed into temporary artists' studios which will be used by resident exchange artists from Stroud and an emerging artist from Somerset.

For more information on the events, including a list of participants, visit www.somersetartworks.org.uk or call 01458-253800.