Gainsborough’s House, in Sudbury, has flung open its doors to visitors for free this week as the museum hosts its Art Week.

Children from the town’s Woodhall Primary School were amongst the many visitors able to get close up to an array of works donated by some of Britain’s leading artists in support of Gainsborough’s House £7.5 million project to create a National Centre for Gainsborough.

The Contemporary and Post War British Art exhibition features work from the Estates and Studios of some of Britain’s greatest and most inspiring artists including Michael Ayrton, Edward Bawden, Antony Gormley, Maggi Hambling, Patrick George, John Hoyland, David Inshaw, Allen Jones, Sarah Lucas, Sargy Mann, Julian Opie and William Pye.

James Ruse, a teacher at Woodhall Primary, said: “Our visit to see the exhibition was a fantastic opportunity to look at post war art. The children were encouraged to look at the techniques used, and consider the textures created. We also considered why people buy art and what art means to people.”

In 2016, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded Gainsborough’s House £4.73 million, including a development grant of £280,700, towards the creation of a new National Centre for Gainsborough. Since then the charity has been working to secure a further £3 million in match-funding needed to safeguard the project and provide long term financial security.

The Contemporary and Post War British Art Auction, supported by Reeman Dansie auctioneers, takes place at the Assembly Rooms, in the Town Hall, on Friday, and the exhibition continues until Thursday, late opening until 8pm.

An Autumn Art Fair is also taking place as part of Art Week; plus free entry to the house and historic garden until Friday.