Art lovers will have good reason to explore Waveney this month as more than a dozen studios are opened to the public from today.

From today, people will have the chance to get up close to 15 local artists in the Lowestoft area to find out what inspires them and how they produce their work.

The artists are all taking part in the annual Suffolk Open Studios event throughout June and they will be showing off their paintings, jewellery, glasswork, ceramics and printmaking work.

They will be opening the doors to their studios and homes over the course of the next four weekends and it is hoped that people will take advantage of the opportunity to find out more about their ideas and techniques.

Most of the artists involved will be accepting visits during all four weekends in June, with members of the public invited to drop in between 11am and 5pm.

As part of the event, all 15 artists will be taking part in a trial initiative which will also include the Ferini Art Gallery in Pakefield and the Lowestoft Arts Centre.

The trial is designed to keep Lowestoft and the surrounding area 'well and truly on the arts and culture map', according to organisers.

Tom Lund-Lack, chairman of Suffolk Open Studios, said: 'Art should be accessible. This is a great opportunity for people to meet the artists, ask them questions about their inspiration and choice of medium.

'It's welcoming, friendly and not at all pretentious. The whole point is that artists want people to come and visit them – artists welcome the chance to share their work with a wider audience.'

'It's a fun day out and an opportunity to learn something new. There's no pressure to buy, though many artists will have items available for sale or to commission if requested.

'Don't be embarrassed to walk out of a studio with nothing in your hand, but with something in your head.'

Suffolk Open Studios has been running since 1993 and has grown from an event run by group of 15 local artists in the Snape and Aldeburgh area. The network now covers the whole of Suffolk and this year's event will involve more than 130 artists across the county.

A list of all the artists taking part can be found by visiting www.suffolkopenstudions.org

A free directory will also be available in libraries, tourist offices, galleries and some shops and pubs.

List of open studios venues:

Key: Week 1 – June 7/8; Week 2 – June 14/15; Week 3 – June 21/22; Week 4 – June 28/29

Gill Dove – Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3) 9, Whites Lane, Kessingland; Claire Dowson – Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) Dove Cottage, 8, Willow Road, Pakefield; Suzi Pye – Jewellery (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) The Garden Studio, 14, Ivy Lane, Oulton Broad; Hazel Spencer – Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) 14, Ivy Lane, Oulton Broad; Paula Nightingale – Oil Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) The Boathouse, rear of 17 Commodore Rd, Oulton Broad; Patricia Colyer – Oil Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) Lowood Cottage, Broad View Road, Oulton Broad; Joan Murray – Mixed Media (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) Lowood Cottage, Broad View Rd, Oulton Broad; Clare Johnson – Printmaking (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) 28, Commercial Road, Lowestoft; Mark Burrell – Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3) 42, Melbourne Road, Lowestoft; Douglas Farthing – Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) The Cottage Studio, Lowestoft Arts Centre, 13, St Peters Street, Lowestoft; Adrian Wincup – Watercolour (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) 44, Kevington Drive, Oulton Broad; Carolyn Reeder – Glasswork (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4) Warren Anne, Flixton Marsh Lane, Blundeston; Bob Wild – Painting (Weeks 1, 2, 3) 8, Morton Peto Close, Somerleyton; Jennie Wild – Ceramics (Weeks 1, 2, 3) 8, Morton Peto Close, Somerleyton; Brigitte Quennehen-Le Baleur – Mixed Media (Weeks 1, 2, 3) 8, The Shires, Corton; Bill Haward – Drawing (Weeks 1,2,3,4) Old Dairy Studios, Hungate Lane, Beccles; Chris Head – Watercolour (Weeks 4) Lakeside, Park Drive, Reydon; Colin Genlloud – Acrylic (Weeks 2,3,4) The Straw Bale Studio, Oaklands, Wash Lane, Wissett; Dawn Pretty – Painting (Weeks 2,4) Studio 2, The Cut Arts Centre, 8, New Cut, Halesworth; Harriette Cork – Oil Painting (Weeks 1,2,3,4) Old

Dairy Studio, Hungate Lane, Beccles; Helengai Harbottle – Mixed Media (Weeks 1,2,3,4) Old Dairy Studios, Hungate Lane, Beccles; Mandy Walden – Printmaking (Weeks 3,4) 21, Kilbrack, Beccles; Marilyn Jackson – Mixed Media (Weeks 1,2,3,4) The Old Dairy Studios, Hungate Lane, Beccles; Mike Hill – Photography (Weeks 1,2,3,4) Old Dairy Studios, Hungate Lane, Beccles; Patricia Davidson – Painting (Weeks 1,2,3,4) Old Dairy Studios, Hungate Lane, Beccles; Richard Nejranowski – Oil Painting (Weeks 1,2,3,4) Old Dairy Studio, Hungate Lane, Beccles.