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Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th July 2009
“A truly memorable and delightful day out. Long live Art in Action!”
Art in Action was created out of simple observation: people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work. Bernard Saunders, then guardian of Waterperry Gardens, decided to organize an event at Waterperry based on this principle. Artists and craftspeople would work as if in their own studios, with the public as their audience.
In 1977, 51 artists and musicians took part and 14,000 visitors arrived. The event is now a showcase for a total of 400 demonstrators, designer-makers, musicians and performing artists from a wide range of disciplines. In 2008, Art in Action attracted over 24,000 visitors.
The event now includes practical classes (open to all ages and abilities), performances of fine music and dance, dialogues on arts and crafts, a craft market, and a range of refreshment facilities.
My first experience of Art in Action was in 2006. With soaring temperatures, my wife and I were concerned that the kids, then nine and six, would soon flag and lose interest. Far from it. What we enjoyed that day will live long in the memory.
“I was blown away by the quality of the art and artists – I only wish I had longer to appreciate it. ..We didn’t expect anything like the scale of the exhibition or the resources involved.”
Highlights to look out for at this year’s show include:
- Kathryn Pearce and Julie Anne Denton, young glass artists who are pioneering new forms in studio glass;
- Hundreds of practical classes for children and adults. This year the classes for adults which include modern painting techniques, marquetry and parquetry, felt bead making and glass engraving; - Cole & Son, manufacturers of hand printed wallpaper will be demonstrating their craft. The company have been designing and making wallpaper since 1873 and their clients include Buckingham Palace and the White House; - Sculptor Claire Norrington, the youngest artist ever to be elected to the Royal Society of British Sculptors will be bringing her bronze animal sculptures, noted for exuding a powerful quality of strength and dynamism.
For further details about Art in Action and to buy tickets online, visit their website. If you have any queries which can’t be answered by the web site, please call at the number below.
But do make sure you go, and take the WHOLE family!
By Richard Rosser |
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