Artists get ready to show off their artwork on Hayling Island

Hayling Island Arts Trail will be coming to the area on May 16 and 17, with plenty of ways to get involved and see creations at venues across the island.

Previously known as May Days Arts Trail, the annual event brings hundreds of visitors to the island, as artists open up their studios to accommodate them and display their work.

Larger venues such as the popular Northney Barns Tea Rooms, Hayling Island Community Centre and Girlguiding’s Radford Hall also provide spaces for artists to exhibit.

As well as painters and photographers, visitors will also be able to see handmade jewellery, fused glass, ceramics, textiles and illustrations.

‘Come and meet the local artists and makers on your doorstep,’ said the trail’s organiser Clare Gosling who creates beaded jewellery.

‘It’s the perfect opportunity to discover the amazing talent on offer locally, meet your neighbours and perhaps pick up a piece of one-of-a-kind artwork.’

Following the success of last year, visitors can also discover unique artwork by pupils from Hayling Island schools including Mengham and Mill Rythe Junior Schools.

Their creations will be displayed at Hayling Island Library for the whole of May, with longer opening times over the trail weekend weekend.

There will also be the opportunity for children to get involved while on the trail with their own quest and prizes to be won - by visiting five artists of different disciplines and getting their autographs before heading to Hayling Island Library for their prize.

In addition to discovering the artists, it’s the perfect opportunity for island visitors to admire the views over the Solent and Chichester Harbour, explore leafy lanes, watch birds and boats, visit the local pubs and take a bike ride along the Billy Trail.

Details of all the artists taking place and a PDF map can be found on the website at haylingislandartstrail.co.uk.

Brochures that include a handy colour map with each of the locations pinpointed are available from many locations around the area such as libraries, community centres and from The Spring in Havant and Making Space in Leigh Park.