Last year, five renowned photographers hit the streets of Winchester to capture the season of city-based arts festivals that take the city by storm each summer. Hat Fair, Winchester Festival, MAYfest, Winchester Writers’ Conference and the Festival of Art and Mind were visited by Kin Ho, Paul Carter, Daniel Gradwell, Joe Low and Marcus Tate respectively. The initiative has a twin focus – as well as promoting festivals to a broader audience, the aim is to support small local businesses.

The acclaimed photographers were chosen for their ability to offer a new interpretation of the events.

Paul Carter, who was drafted in to photograph the Winchester Festival explains: "Commercial editorial photographers are normally asked to take performance photographs at arts events, so I was very pleased to be able to investigate behind the scenes and to photograph audiences for a change. So much of history is rooted in ordinary moments and I hope these photos are a small contribution to the history of the Winchester Festival and Winchester itself."

Cllr Dominic Hiscock, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity said: "Our festivals have a positive effect on Winchester’s economy and culture. By continuing to build on the district’s excellent reputation as a centre of vibrant arts events, we can support many businesses, including the five photographers whose work is showcased here."

He added: "This exhibition marks the end of the first wave of festivals promotion by my colleagues in the tourism service. We have been using images from this events and the successful festivals film on Youtube, to encourage people to holiday in Winchester. Next year, the campaign will actively promote rural festivals alongside the city-based arts festivals that founded the Festivals in Winchester group."

The free exhibition will run at City Space until Sunday 25 July and is part of an overarching ‘Festivals in Winchester’ campaign founded by the festival directors themselves and funded by Winchester City Council. The group is also inviting locals to take part via a photography competition sponsored by Kin Ho, El Sabio restaurant and Winchester Photographic. For more details, see www.festivalsinwinchester.co.uk or www.visitwinchester.co.uk