There’s no need to made the trip to take in the Royal Academy’s annual summer exhibition – there are lots of ways you can enjoy art on your doorstep over the next few weeks.

First up is Letchworth Art Society’s spring exhibition, which will be staged at Willian Village Hall this weekend.

The show is open from 10am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, and there’s no admission charge.

And as well as admiring the efforts of society members, you’ll also be able to invest in an original work of art if any particular item takes your fancy.

Refreshments will be available, and there’s also a raffle.

In Stevenage, the Hertfordshire East branch of the RSPCA animal protection charity is holding a fundraising exhibition in the foyer of the town’s Gordon Craig Theatre off Lytton Way.

The event – which continues to the end of the month – showcases prints, paintings and sketches which have been donated to the branch’s shop in Churchyard, Hitchin, all of which are available to buy.

Organiser and branch trustee Anne Harvey said: “We are really excited to have this opportunity. We have accumulated a fascinating set of pictures with something to appeal to everybody.”

The venue’s art expert David Gale, who has acted as an advisor for the event, said: “I’m really surprised by the high standard of what’s on display.

“The exhibition gives added interest to any theatregoer’s night out. I hope it raises much needed funds for this worthwhile local charity.”

A little further into the future is the annual art show in Ayot St Lawrence, which will be held from Saturday, June 11, to the following Monday.

The show, now in its 42nd year, is held in the village’s Grade I-listed St Lawrence church, and organisers promise a huge selection work by popular professional and talented amateur artists including Andrew King, Anne Songhurst, Susan Gray and Julia Rigby.

As well as framed art, there will be a much larger selection of unframed art and greetings cards and two of the village’s loveliest gardens will also be open to the public.

You can find out more by visiting www.ayotstlawrence.com and clicking on the art show tab at the top of the page.