As well as the chance to see and buy local art, the public will be encouraged to get creative at Ilkley Art Trail next month.

Community arts business Sponge Tree will be putting on two workshops at the third Ilkley Art Trail in October.

The first is a textiles workshop, which will show people how to use felt to make a Yorkshire landscape. This will be followed by an outdoor family event at Ilkley Bandstand to create art out of old books.

Started in 2010, Sponge Tree is run by art teacher Nicola Murray and creative crafter and nursery nurse, Paula Taylor. They provide sensory and natural art, workshops and training. They also produce and sell their handmade products at markets and fairs across the region.

Paula said: “This is our first year involved in the Ilkley Art Trail and we are very excited to be taking part.

“Ilkley is an inspiring area to be creative in, due to its outstanding natural and dramatic beauty.

“The Trail has grown into something wonderful. Various venues across the district are used to celebrate local artists in easily accessible and non-hostile environments.”

The artists’ drop-in family workshop will be at Ilkley Bandstand on Saturday, October 12, with the chance to create whacky things from recycled children’s books. Anyone can join in, at a cost of £2 per person, and the workshop will run from 10am to 4pm.

The theme of making art from books will tie in with Ilkley Literature Festival, which will be running at the same time.

Literature Festival Director, Rachel Feldberg said: “Ilkley Literature Festival are delighted that Ilkley Art Trail are running workshops for children this year.

“Making art using recycled materials inspired by children’s books is not only environmentally sound; it should be brilliant fun and shows how art and literature go hand in hand.

“And it is perfectly timed to fit round our family circus performance in the same venue.”

The other workshop is designed for adults and will be at St John’s Church, Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding on Friday, October 11, from 10am to noon.

Called ‘Felting a Yorkshire Landscape’ the workshop will inspire people to use the colours, textures and beauty of the Yorkshire countryside to create a piece of felted artwork. The cost is £20 and spaces are limited.

Art Trail co-organiser Luci Smith said: “We are extremely pleased that, on reaching our third year, Ilkley Art Trail is now developing and expanding in such exciting ways.

“How wonderful that we are now able to offer the chance not only to view art at so many different venues; and to meet and chat with artists; but also this fabulous opportunity to try out your own creativity.

The generous offer of these free workshops during the Trail is quite wonderful – the creativity of the Sponge Tree people is inspirational.”

Ilkley Artist Gill Gilroy has collaborated with Sponge Tree on past projects. She said the artists were great to work with: “They are so positive and creative which makes their workshops so enjoyable and inspiring.”

Ilkley Art Trail will run from October 9 to 13. To book the felting workshop, visit eventbrite.co.uk/event/7535646321 or call Paula Taylor on 07914 389726 or Nicola Murray on 07914 495626.