This year's Crouch End Open Studios got underway as artists mingled with scores of guests at the opening night.

The Original Gallery at Hornsey Library was packed to the rafters on Friday (May 9) as the 63 artists taking part in this year's art trail showed off their work.

Each has a single piece in the group show, which runs at the gallery until May 19 and features a huge range of work from painting to ceramics, drawing, glass, mixed media, photography printmaking and sculpture.

Islington Gazette: Photographer Eva Turrell is among the 63 artists taking part in the art trailPhotographer Eva Turrell is among the 63 artists taking part in the art trail (Image: David Winskill)

The artists were joined at the exhibition by Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West, and Mayor of Haringey Councillor Lester Buxton.

For Crouch End Open Studios they will open up their houses to visitors from midday to 6pm on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.

Art lovers can follow a map trail around the area and there were also events at the gallery in Haringey Park, over the weekend including workshops and a ‘meet the artist’ event.

Islington Gazette: Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West joined the join chairs at the opening event on Friday May 9.Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West joined the join chairs at the opening event on Friday May 9. (Image: Marie Mangan)

Jo Angell, who co-chairs this year’s open studios with Julia Clarke, said: “We were thrilled to have Catherine West MP and Councillor Lester Buxton, Mayor of Haringey, attend the launch of our group show. They spent time chatting to the artists and having a good look around, which was appreciated by all. We hope lots of people visit the show at the library.

"It’s a great way to plan where you would like to go for the art trail. The year we have 63 artists exhibiting across 44 venues, so there’s lots to see!"

Islington Gazette: Cllr Buxton joined Kim Valdez who is the original founder of the Crouch End Open StudiosCllr Buxton joined Kim Valdez who is the original founder of the Crouch End Open Studios (Image: David Winskill)

A map of venues for the art trail and information about each artist can be found at crouchendopenstudios.org.uk.