Thousands of pieces of art will go on display across Oxford as part of a week-long exhibition.

Oxford Artweek will be taking place in studios, galleries, community centres, schools and even shops around the city, beginning on Saturday.

This is the 26th year of the event and festival director Caryn Paladina believes its approach to art makes it more "accessible" to a wider audience.

She said: "By exhibiting the work in schools and community centres, it puts people more at ease and lets them feel like they can look at the art without having any pressure.

"There are also shops along the High Street that will be exhibiting pieces for us and several of the university shops.

"It also gives artists a chance to sell their work directly to the public without having to go through galleries.

"It's not just about professional artists who have their own studios. We have got people that only dabble in art and work by children and young people that may want to have a career in art in the future."

Oxford Artweek begins on Saturday, May 17, and runs until Monday, May 26.

For more information about exhibitions taking place during the event, go to www.artweeks.org