An empty shop in Norwich city centre was given a new lease of life for one day only, when Norwich Arts Centre turned it into a 'showcase' for the city's creative talent.

Since last October the arts centre has been brightening up the city by putting art into empty shop windows with its innovative ShopArt! project.

And yesterday they went further when they took over the whole of the former Savills' estate agents building in Upper King Street and brought it alive with a day full of music, performance, workshops, poetry, films, painting and surprises.

The three split-level floors of the huge maze-like building were full of things to look at, listen to and to interact with, including music, performance, workshops, poetry, films and paintings aimed at families and individuals.

Among those entertaining visitors was artist Bruce Lacey, who demonstrated his kinetic art robots R.O.S.A.B.U.S.O.M.

Project co-ordinator Grace Jackson said yesterday's event was what the project had been leading up to since it started.

'We felt we wouldn't have been making the most of ShopArt! if we hadn't done the event,' she said.

Stuart Hobday, director of Norwich Arts Centre, said it was a 'unique, one-off opportunity'.

He added: 'This showcases how much creativity there is in the Norwich area. The diversity we have got here is incredible.'

The arts centre project will be finishing at the end of this month, and has various spaces over the city showcasing Norwich and Norfolk artists from a variety of art forms.

The project is funded through the government's Empty Shops Initiative and facilitated by Norwich City Council and the Norwich City Centre Partnership.

For more information, visit www.shopartnorwich.co.uk or call NAC on 01603 660352.

Are you organising a unique exhibition? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.