C-ART is certainly one of the most exciting creative projects in Cumbria's cultural calendar.

To be frank, as far as contemporary art is concerned, it doesn't come much better - and bigger - than this truly countywide visual feast.

Under the innovative eyes of Eden Arts and its director Adrian Lochhead, C-Art Open Studios runs from September 10-25, and involves more than 110 artists, designers and galleries spread across 79 venues.

C-Art in Extraordinary Places returns running alongside the open studios event and, for the second year, the superb Cumbrian Artist of the Year exhibition at Rheged, adds another creative dimension. Opening on September 9, it runs until November 13, held in Rheged's light and airy gallery space.

Among the scores of artists flinging open the doors of their artistic homes are the acclaimed Barn Farm Artists - Rachel Greenbank, Tracey Escolme and Julie Ann Scott - welcoming art lovers to their studio at Ratherheath Lane, Bonningate, Kendal, and highly regarded rising star of the art world, Daniel Cooper (he captures the changing moods of the skies sublimely) invites all to his creative base at Askam-in-Furness.

Elsewhere, no one captures the character of cows quite like Thuline de Cock, and for a first hand look at her colourful and often unusual perspective on bovine and other creatures drop into her Highgate situated studio-gallery in Kendal; Sizergh Barn, near Kendal, joins the throng with textile art by Kirstin Pilling and Majorie Park on show in Feeling the Fells; and for stunning views over the Kent Estuary to the hills of the Lake District, look no further than the contemporary landscapes of award-winning Tracy Levine, on show at her Arnside studio.

C-Art in Extraordinary Places is the second innovative strand woven into C-Art.

As well as ‘open studios’ in more traditional gallery settings, in Extraordinary Places artists will also be taking up residence in 15 more unexpected locations.

One example is Ullswater shore, near Pooley Bridge, the backdrop for Rachel Fenwick's installation Looking for a Sign - a series of handmade sign posts using Ullswater as an extraordinary backdrop for viewers to contemplate the directions they have chosen to follow in life.

As for a fascinating building and its amazing collections, at Sprint Mill, people can discover a range of traditional arts and crafts in the 19th Century fulling mill, near Burneside.

The diverse arts trail also includes Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens, where Cumbria Printmakers will be located in the 16th Century Great Barn.

Meanwhile, Lowther Castle's stable courtyard will welcome artists David Sims (figurative landscape painting), Emma J Lock (mixed media work), Becky Eden (Felt from the Fields) and Jo Mcgrath (animal paintings).

Among several National Trust locations featured in the trailblazer will be Acorn Bank, where Alex Jakob-Whitworth, who, as well as create expressive mixed media, is a sculptor, and will be apparently creating artworks from a faerie point of view, and making small figures and some 'la'al folk. Sarah Tew will be presenting both small scale works in the Discovery Cottage and larger outdoor installations to highlight unpredictable natural elements, with a playful approach to rain, wind and light in the landscape at NT's Fell Foot Park, and Lucy Barnfather will be resident in a temporary studio in the former Allan Bank home of William Wordsworth, at Grasmere, presenting work that responds to the space around her.

Also at Grasmere, Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Trust host Wordsworth Country: Lakes, Mountains and Waterfalls, which explores how Wordsworth’s words drew people to the Lake District and features a range of paintings, photographs and guidebooks. A contemporary exhibition the Ark of Lost Things includes work by write, Karen Lloyd, photographer, Florence Acland, and artist Edward Acland.

Eden Arts Jo Bramley-Wright, said that C-Art in Extraordinary Places was a fabulous opportunity for people to experience art in a variety of natural and man-made landscapes across Cumbria. She added: "It’s also a great way to introduce contemporary arts and crafts to anyone who may not normally visit galleries or studios. For the artists themselves, Cumbria’s diverse and spectacular scenery is an unbeatable source of creativity and inspiration, and they are very excited to be working in these unique and unexpected locations.”

Finally, don't forget the third part of what's shaping up to be a momentous C-Art event - the Cumbrian Artist of the Year exhibition at Rheged, which also includes as guest exhibitors, internationally renowned Cumbrian artists: Margaret Harrison, Maddi Nicholson, Conrad Atkinson and Paul Scott.

For full details of C-artists and galleries visit www.c-art.org.uk.