ART appreciates with age, and the same can definitely be said for Oxfordshire Artweeks which celebrates its 30th birthday next month.

Established in 1981, it is the country’s oldest and biggest open studio event.

Last year, more than 100,000 people visited nearly 500 locations.

And this year’s event promises to be even more popular, with the chance to visit more than 1,000 artists ‘at work’ everywhere from homes schools and bars to an ancient castle.Many of the events are free.

Festival organiser Esther Browning, 38, who is also the Oxford Mail’s Mothering Sundae columnist, said: “Artweeks is the opportunity for a great day out for the whole family, the chance to visit wonderful artists and maybe even be inspired to create your own art.

“Vistors have the opportunity to meet artists, talk about their work, watch demonstrations and maybe even have a go themselves. Or they can simply just feast their eyes on a huge range of creative activity, from painting, photography, textiles, sculpture and ceramics, to furniture, glass, mosaics, jewellery, digital art and much more.”

The first week runs from May 5-13 and focuses on North Oxfordshire, with venues from Burford to Chipping Norton, Banbury and Bicester.

The second week – running from May 12-20 – is centred on Oxford itself, where nearly 200 art spaces in and around the city will open their doors to the public including the Oxford Castle complex.

The final week – May 19 until May 27 – will take place across the south of the county, with exhibitions all along the Thames from Faringdon to Henley and along the Ridgeway from Wantage to Thame.

In addition to art demos and exhibitions aimed at the whole family, children can take part in a variety of workshops and events – including a children’s masked parade in Summertown, Oxford, on May 12, with mask-making workshops and storytelling at The North Wall.

Most towns and villages also produce their own ‘artist trails’ to enable people to plan a day-long route of fascinating venues.

The 30th anniversary Artweeks guide is now available, and features a cover image by regular Artweeks contributor, Andy Martin.

Mr Martin, 33, from Botley, specialises in macrophotography (extreme close-up photography) and captured an allium plant in a Great Rollright garden as light fell through a polytunnel.

He said: “I have been taking part in Artweeks for about six years now and enjoy the chance to open the doors, let people wander in and show them what I do.”

Mr Martin, who recently exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art, will be showing his work at the North Oxford Community Centre in Diamond Place, Summertown (Artweeks venue 297).

Esther Browning added: “Artweeks 2012 promises to be as spectacular as ever, and to give people a tantalising taster we will be exhibiting the work of 30 artists at The Jam Factory in Park End Street, Oxford, all this month.

“Come along and enjoy some weird and wonderful art, featuring everything from tables to wedding dresses – you will be amazed!”

The Oxfordshire Artweeks guide can be collected now at libraries, The Jam Factory and information centres – or download a copy from the website artweeks.org