A PROJECT to teach schoolchildren and community groups about Chinese art is opening its doors to the public.

China Link Arts has hired artist Chun-Chao Chiu to teach youngsters the secrets of traditional arts from his homeland, such as watercolour painting, origami and lantern-making.

He is based in the visual arts centre at Durham Sixth Form Centre, Providence Row, Durham, and his workshop sessions with children, ranging from nursery to secondary age, are proving so popular that they are booked up until Easter.

Tomorrow, people can see for themselves what is going on when the project holds an open day at the Sixth Form Centre, from 10am to 2.30pm.

David Yates, director of China Link Arts, an arts development agency, said: "We can offer a whole programme of activities linked to traditional Chinese arts.

"During the open day, we'll have a production of a Chinese shadow show that the children have been working on with puppets. It is based on Chinese legends and myths.

"There is a tremendous amount of interest in the project. We have been running workshops since November and they are fully booked right up until Easter.''