Five artists have found an unusual space in which to showcase their work as this year’s Hitchin Festival comes to a close.

They will be exhibiting at the Oriental Splendour carpet shop in the Churchgate precinct next Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25.

Organiser Roz Down said: “Hitchin is a fabulous place for all arts and I decided to organise the exhibition to show a diverse selection of work.

“I met Benjy Bayat of Oriental Splendour a few months ago and discovered that he has a large, unique space above the shop which holds many beautiful Persian rugs.

“While we were talking we had the idea of using the space to show some art and I asked four other artists if they would like to try something a little different. I like to think outside the box!

“I was careful not to select artists who work in similar ways as an exhibition of this type requires something a little different.”

There will be a launch night next Friday from 6pm to 8.30pm, and the work will also be on show the following day from 10.30am to 6.30pm. Artists exhibiting include:

l Mary MacSweeney, a retired art therapist who works in different mediums from a studio in Stevenage, but is fascinated by human and animal forms. She will be exhibiting small sculptures.

l Steve Collett, a self-taught artist from Stevenage who is inspired by wildlife.

l Jan Steadman- Jackson, a digital abstract artist who also lives in Stevenage.

l Tim Burkinshaw, another abstract artist who has been exploring the complex structures and meanings behind the designs of Persian rugs.

Roz, who has been creating work in charcoal, pastel, ink and acrylic for the past 15 years, has recently settled in Hitchin and will be passing on her skills in a local junior school as a volunteer from September.