A MAJOR festival for the arts will take place in Okehampton next week for the first time.

Organised by the Art Okehampton Festival Group, the event will run over four days from Wednesday, August 7 to Saturday, August 10. It will showcase the works of many artists and aspiring artists from the West Devon area.

The aim is to support and promote the visual arts community, as well as inspire and encourage new artists to pursue creative expression. Many artists, art groups, clubs and schools have submitted paintings, drawings and photography for display.

Several hundred works will be displayed across the Charter Hall, the Ockment Centre hall, the John Young Gallery in the Museum of Dartmoor Life and the new sports pavilion in Simmons Park.

Paul Vachon, one of the organisers, said: 'It has been a huge logistical exercise taking many months of planning, but it's well worth it to bring visual arts to the town. There has been a period of a cultural vacuum when it comes to visual arts.

'The town is well catered for music, theatre and crafts but now it is hoped that this festival will form the basis of a legacy for visual arts in Okehampton for many years to come.'

During the festival there will be several free workshops aimed at encouraging people to explore their artistic and creative side. People of all ages and abilities are invited to apply to participate in these free events. The workshops will be presented by local, established artists.

Painting and Drawing on Dartmoor is for primary school aged children, exploring scenes and wildlife on the moor. The monoprints workshop is about learning a new skill, and uses a simple method of printing to reproduce a piece of original art.

'Vision and Imagination' is a painting and drawing workshop for the visually adventurous, using an experimental and improvised approach. 'Graphic Art' is aimed at youngsters who would like to explore and create graphic motifs for printing on t-shirts.

The festival exhibitions will be open from 9am to 5pm daily. Entrance to each exhibition is free.

Support, funding and encouragement has come from Okehampton United Charity, Okehampton Town Council, West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council.