ONE of the biggest events in the Reading art calendar will be taking place this weekend.

The Contemporary Art Fair - Reading will open its doors this evening with a special VIP launch, before opening to the general public on Saturday and Sunday.

Hundreds of artists from across the country will rub shoulders with local talent at the fair, with many exhibiting their works for the first time.

Visitors will have the chance to browse hundreds of pieces of artwork, speak to the artists behind the creations, and purchase their favourites to take home.

One of the artists who will be at the fair is Charvil-based painter and designer Este MacLeod, who will once again be in residence. Passionate about promoting creativity, Este will be guiding another interactive art project, entitled Fabulous Fish, which will see visitors to the fair encouraged to take part in creating a large painting.

Este has developed a fun way to get people to draw, using letters and handwriting as prompts, images grow more naturally in this way, she will show the process to participants.

She said: "It is Earth Day on 22 April, and in the spirit of focussing attention on plastic pollution, this project developed. The ocean and its inhabitants are baring the brunt of plastic pollution caused by humans. This issue is something I feel passionate about. Making people aware can be done in a variety of ways, art is an effective one to connect people”

Participants in the project also stand a chance to win one free place in Este's next online art course, which starts in July.

Contemporary Art Fair - Reading opens at Rivermead Leisure Complex on Friday, April 20 at 6.30pm for a private view, which is by invitation or ticket. The show then opens to the public from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, 21 and Sunday, 22.

Advance tickets £5 per person, £4 for concessions, or £24 for a double ticket to the private view, or £12 for a single ticket.

Ticket prices on the door will be £7 per person, £6 for concessions, £1 for children aged five to 16. Under fives go free. Visit https://contemporaryartfairs.co.uk/reading