ARTISTS are gearing up for the popular Paint Off event next month.

The annual live art event, now in its fifth year, has grown in popularity and last year moved to its biggest venue yet, the Cathedral Cloisters, where it will be held again this year.

This year it will be held on September 6, alongside Salisbury Contemporary Craft and Heritage Fair, when artists of all ages and abilities are invited to get together and inspire each other.

Despite its title, the event encourages all art forms, photography, sculpture, writing, model-making, knitting and collage.

The event runs from 10.30am to 6pm, with five hours to create a finished piece from scratch on the day or artists can bring along a piece of work in progress and use the day to continue working on it.

Four judges will choose their favourite pieces and award the selected artists with prizes, but only those who start and finish on the day will be eligible for prizes.

Artists have the opportunity to enter their work in an auction, which will be held at Salisbury Arts Centre on September 10 at 6.30pm.

From any sales, 50 per cent of the funds will go to the artist and 50 per cent towards Plain Arts projects.

The entry fees are £10 for adults, children £5 and £8 for Plain Arts members.

For more information and to enter visit plainartssalisbury.co.uk/ paint-off.