BUDDING artists will have the chance to try their hand at a number of new techniques at the Reading Contemporary Art Fair in April.

Jelly, a charity which supports up-and-coming artists, will be running a series of workshops at the fair, which will take place at Rivermead Leisure Complex over the weekend of April 24 to 26. Organisers are expecting about 130 different artists to display their work on 90 stands.

The four workshops will include Make a Secret Sketchbook – which will involve making an origami-style paper book that you can then fill with sketches – monoprinting, weaving and drawing.

On the Saturday, the workshops will be led by textile and knitwear designer Emma Bradbury, who runs a number of similar sessions for children at Jelly’s new home in the former department store, Jackson’s Corner.

On the Sunday, illustrator and printmaker Jo Quinn will take over.

Jelly director Suzanne Stallard said that the charity had taken part in the art fair ever since it first started six years ago.

She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s beautiful, well-organised, and there are so many artists that take part, both national and regional, and such a wide variety of choice that there is work to appeal to everyone.

“Also, you get to talk to the artists and find out more about their work.

“We hope by doing the workshops it will encourage people to take part and take something away with them.”

She explained that the drawing workshop will involve a piece of work which will be started by Jelly resident artist Peter Lang, and participants can take part in helping to finish it.

Jelly, which was set up in the town 21 years ago, has had a variety of homes including a gallery on Broad Street, now the location for Patisserie Valerie, and the town hall. Now the organisation has taken over a split-level on the first floor of Jackson’s Corner, in the former school uniform department.

Workshops are carried out in the girls’ uniform space, while the former boys’ uniform department is now home to the resident artists.

Ms Stallard said: “We are used to moving about.The longest we’ve been anywhere is five years but we adapt quite well, especially when it comes to moving all our stuff —including a giant cow.”

l The Reading Contemporary Art Fair runs from April 24 to 26. The event opens on the Friday with a private view, by invitation only. Members of the public can buy tickets in advance on the website www.readingcontemporaryartsfair.co.uk at £5 adults, £4 concessions, or on the door for £7/£6. Children under five are free, and children aged five to 16 are £1.