Lewes railway station is to display artworks during the forthcoming Artwave festival in the East Sussex town.

The festival begins this weekend, offering a programme of creative talent for its thirtieth anniversary. Artwave began in 1993, and this year runs over three weekends from Saturday 2 until Sunday 17 September.

It features artwork created by more than a thousand artists at more than one hundred and eighty free exhibitions. The shows are located in venues including artists’ private homes and at more unusual venues including a windmill and a farm.

The centre of Lewes – the county town of East Sussex – will see artworks exhibited in local businesses such as pubs, cafes, independent shops, coffee roasters, picture framers and florists.

A new project, Windows of Wonder, is using empty shop units as creative havens hosting installations from local artists.

The former Sussex Stationers building at 35 High Street features installations by Carolyn Trant, a veteran of all thirty Artwave festivals, and Emma Carlow, whose giant mobile is made from colourful found objects. Carolyn’s work features handprinted books inspired by organic natural materials, sculpture and woodcuts, intertwined with words and poetry.

She said, “I was delighted to be given the space to set up a Wonder Window, especially as it was previously a bookshop. My display is called The Little Bookshop at the End of the World.”

The Lewes Trail is sponsored by The Unity Centre. Visitors can also follow trails through Lewes district’s rural villages, Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven.

Councillor Johnny Denis, Lewes’ Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Tourism and Leisure, has paid tribute to the “great breadth of artistic talent” showcased this year.

Festival guides are available at Lewes and Seaford Tourist Information Centres and online at the festival’s website.

Artwave is organised by Visit Lewes. Headline sponsor is Crane Garden Buildings, media partner is ROSA and Artwave venue boards are by Oakley Property. Other sponsors and supporters are Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors, Gemini Print Group, The Makers Directory, Harvey’s Brewery and Le Bureau.