A BIG fabric mushroom, a washing machine sculpture and a giant panoramic photograph of Holmfirth.

Juts three things out of many hundreds which are sure to delight visitors to Holmfirth ArtWEEK which opens this weekend.

If you haven’t been before then you should. For Holmfirth ArtWEEK is not just a valley tradition, it is one of the biggest open exhibitions in the country.

The work of 400 artists will be on display in Holmfirth’s civic hall offering paintings, ceramics, photography, jewellery, plus work in wood and fabric.

The ArtWEEK, now in its 46th year, promotes the work of professional and amateur artists.

But it also raises huge amounts of money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The current total stands at £685,000.

The event opens on Sunday at 10am and runs Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm and on July 7, from 10am to 5pm.

ArtWEEK is run entirely by volunteers and 80 of them will be involved during the week, selling tickets, programmes and teas.

The main event fills every nook and cranny of Holmfirth Civic Hall. But there is more, much more.

For the exhibition also offers shows in 28 other venues from galleries to a tennis club, coffee shops, a shopping centre and the local ironmongers.

Pop into Thongsbridge Tennis Club and see Holme Valley Primary Pyramid, a display of 100 artworks.

Or join Robert Norbury for Big Bob’s photography school at Sid’s Cafe. It’s tea, scones, a competition and a spot of photography.

Kaye’s Ironmongers in Holmfirth will host mixed media artist Pat Osborne who loves painting, textiles and altered art.

Or if you want to see what Mick Kirkby-Geddes has been making out of everyday objects and scrap metal, then head for the tourist information centre where you can see some his sculptures.

Framed handcrafted felt work by Jill Hayfield is on show at Holme Castle along with sculptural ceramics by Jym Brammah and at the Booth House Gallery and Pottery, there will be an exhibition of ceramics created by invited members of North Wales Potters’ Association.

Contemporary landscape artist Andy Fullalove is showing his work at the Lionheart Boutique in Thongsbridge or if you take a trip to Geoff Harrop’s Lupton Square Gallery in Honley you will find a whole new collection of work including watercolours from Jeff Beaumont, mixed media by Dee Bentley, Sue Clay’s textiles, acrylics from Catherine McGrath and paintings by Catherine Norris.

While in Honley, call in at Holme Valley Warehouse to see paintings by Richard Gee and by a group of young artists.

Well Hill Art Group in Honley is also showing mixed media, crafts and paintings by a dozen artists at Well Hill Studio.

North Light Gallery at Armitage Bridge gives a nod to the fast approaching Olympics with 1948 Olympians, an exhibition of photography by Katherine Green.

“Though the format remains pretty much the same as in previous years, the content is always a surprise with new talent adding to the work of established artists,” said ArtWEEK spokesman Richard Raby.

“The fact that it is an open exhibition, with a mixture of public and invited artists, is what gives Artweek its unique mixture of high quality and eclectic exhibits.”

As artWEEK is a fundraising event all the work on show is for sale. A commission of 20% is charged on sales in the exhibition and at its art market and fringe with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

There is a handy ArtWEEK pocket guide and map which lists the fringe venues giving full details of all the venues, their locations, opening times and the artists who are showing work.

These are available from tourist information centres. More details from the website: www.holmfirthartweek.org.uk