THE curtain goes up on Saturday with the chance for preview of this year's Reading Contemporary Art Fair.

The fourth edition of the fair takes place later this month at the Rivermead Leisure Centre but there will be an advance taste of what is on offer this Saturday (April 6) at the Jelly Studios Open Day when all the doors at 42 Market Place will be open from 11am-4pm.

The first floor will be for Jelly's resident artists, and The Vintage Studio, and there will be teas on sale in aid of the organisation's community work.

But on the second floor will be a chance to take an early peek at the work of some of more than 90 artists, printmakers, photographers, sculptors and ceramicists taking part in the Reading Contemporary Art Fair.

The fair, sister event to Windsor Contemporary Art Fair, boasts of having the very best of contemporary art on sale at prices from �40 to �4,000.

It will be held over the weekend of April 27-28. Over the two days, Este MacLeod will be inviting visitors to help create a unique piece of art by transforming a blank canvas with their individual artistic contributions, with the final masterpiece being hung for all to see.

There will be an installation space at Rivermead, dubbed Aunt Elsie's Parlour, to savour the work of artists and makers displayed in a different way to the rest of the Art Fair. People of all ages and abilities will be able to take part from drawing to crochet, knitting, making prints and painting on a Coronation theme, all under the watchful eye of Jelly's Aunt Elsie.

Exhibitors come from throughout Britain and Europe but all eyes will be on the strong local contingent with fledgling and established artists appearing alongside each other.

Sir John Madejski will be hosting a private viewing of the fair on Friday, April 26, for which admission is by invitation or limited tickets only and the event itself runs from 10am-5pm on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28. Contact organisers Sarah McAllister 01753 591892 and Deborah James 01753 591892 or see info@readingcontemporaryartfair.co.uk