A UNIQUE workspace and community project has launched in Winchester.

The floating observatory will give art-lovers the opportunity to be a fly on the wall and see how each artist uses the space to gather their thoughts and inspirations.

It will spend its first six months in the grounds of Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, where it was officially launched on Friday, before moving to Lymington in July.

The Observatory was developed by New Forest-based organisation Space Place-making and Urban Design (SPUD), which was also responsible for the award-winning Stephen Turner’s Exbury Egg project – a sustainable art workspace that floated in the River Beaulieu.

Six artists were chosen from 100 applications, and each will spend two months using The Observatory.

Artist Simon Ryder, visual artist and filmmaker Sean Harris, and multi-disciplinary artist Isabella Martin have been picked for the Winchester leg.

The launch was attended by schoolchildren and community groups, and the organisers hope to work more closely with them with the learning and engagement programme.

Principal associate at SPUD Phil Smith said: “What a fantastic start to 2015 to bring The Observatory to life in Winchester.

“We are confident that the project will be well received and that the selected artists will produce a fascinating variety of work that explores The Observatory and its locations, offering a wide range of ideas and opportunities for the public to see artists at work and gain some new perspectives on familiar places.

“Art is something that shouldn’t be tucked away and hidden and we are hopeful that The Observatory will stimulate both young and old minds to visit more exhibitions and performances and to be inspired by the world around us.”

For more information go to lookinlookout.org.