ARTISTS who took up home in a disused warehouse are looking for a new venue in the city centre.

Artists at Artopsy have been showcasing their work to the public in the old MFI Building on the 28 East Retail Park, Maesglas.

Artopsy are a group of 30 artists who formed in Spring 2012 inspired by the empty shops projects in Newport, where they have been allowed to use otherwise unused retail spaces for use as studio space to create artwork.

The group started in the old Pumford and Sons fruit and veg shop in John Frost Square.

Their collection of nearly 200 pieces outgrew the venue but fitted perfectly at the warehouse.

They will have to vacate the premises next month and the group hope to find a space in Newport city centre.

Chairman of the group, John Sherwood, said: "We ideally would like a shop with a front window for us to display work and invite people in to have a look and join in.

"It would be a great asset to Newport, attracting people from all over the UK to see visual arts from Welsh artists and to learn techniques from them."

The art work takes many different forms including sculpture, painting, and collage.

Contemporary artist, Andy Nowroski, who first exhibited with the group in John Frost Square after losing his own art space, wants to stay with the project when they find a new home.

He said: "The environment provides a space for artists to create work that they otherwise wouldn't be able to due to space. People also get a chance to see artists at work and they always leave inspired."

He explained that the group of artists get along well and they hope to find a new home where they can all stay together.

He added: "A space in Newport centre would be ideal as there is no gallery space and it could turn into an art hub."

A spokesman for Axa Real Estate, which owns the building, said the group has been asked to leave as it is in negotations with a major tenant about taking it on.

He added: "We have been discussing about offering the group another unit on the park. They had a very short-term lease and have already been given much more notice than they should have."