Art in Action 2003, Waterperry Oxfordshire
Eileen Cameron-Kirby | 21.07.2003 16:49 | Culture | Oxford
Waterperry House
E&M glass
Glassbower
Fountain with glass fish
Tapestries
Paintings
Small pots
Potter at work
Landing fresco
Staircase fresco
Fresco 1
Fresco 2
Leaf fresco
Circular fresco
This year's 26th annual Art in Action was held, as always, in the grounds of Waterperry House, near Wheatley. The weather for the 4-day event was excellent, with Saturday's high temperatures and sunshine offset by a refreshing breeze.
300 outstanding artists and craftspeople, mainly from Britain, exhibited their wares and, just as importantly, demonstrated their skills and techniques to interested visitors, providing amateur potters, print-makers or weavers with valuable tips on how to improve their own work.
Each craft was housed in one of the big marquees dotted around the magnificent gardens and grounds of the mainly 18th century house. Sculpture, ceramics, calligraphy, jewellery, textiles and glass were some of the crafts represented, and this year a whole marquee was devoted to artists and craftspeople from Turkey. There was also a full and varied programme of musical events, arts lectures and storytelling, while practical classes were available to adults and children in many of the arts and crafts on exhibition.
Of particular interest to Oxfordshire people are the frescoes being created in the New Hall, an area in the centre of Waterperry House. The owners of the house and organisers of Art in Action are the educational charity, the School of Economic Science, which also runs several schools in the UK and Ireland. The stories and ideas depicted in the frescoes reflect the School's philosophical and spiritual values, which are strongly influenced by Indian thought and religion.
Guided tours of the frescoes will continue to be available approximately once a month from March to September. The grounds, Art in Action Gallery, garden shop and tea-room are open throughout the year. For details, telephone: 01844 338085.
Eileen Cameron-Kirby
