ESSEX SUMMER OF ART - part of Explore Culture

The Pier at Harwich. Link to the competition prize page.

Be inspired and awaken your creative mind this summer

Essex is celebrating its fourth Summer of Art this year. Local artists will exhibit their work on art trails and open studios in the county's rural, coastal and urban settings, showcasing the county's artistic talent. Essex Summer of Art 2012 is the biggest yet and representing nearly every district and unitary across the county celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games through art.

Taking place from May to October 2012 Summer of Art encourages people to visit the Essex art trails and explore the landscapes that have inspired generations of artists.

On the 12 and 13 May we will be launching the 2012 Essex Summer of Art at the Hadleigh Old Fire Station, Essex's newest community art centre. Visitors to this amazing converted fire station, situated in the heart of Hadleigh, will be able to meet resident artists in their studios and enjoy an exhibition of their work in the Appliance Hall Gallery. A selection of workshops will be available over the weekend.

For more information on Hadleigh Old Fire Station visit their website www.hofs.org.uk

Taking in painting, photography, ceramics, textile and sculpture, the art trails feature a wide variety of creative talent at both innovative and traditional venues across Essex. To make your experience more complete, why not visit also our more permanent art galleries offering you a wide sellection of works.

Essex Summer of Art has been brought to you by firstsite in partnership with Essex County Council's Arts Development, 2012 Legacy and Tourism Teams, participating District, Borough Councils, Unitary Authority, BBC Essex and Essex's many and varied art trails.

Essex is proud to have a 2012 Olympic Games venue at Hadleigh Farm in Castle Point, which will host the Mountain Bike events. However, the legacy of the 2012 Games in Essex will not just be felt in sport. In the build up to 2012, the Essex Summer of Art will form part of Essex's innovative contribution to the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a four year programme combining cultural activities and education with sport to showcase the UK to the rest of the world through the London Games.

Download the 2012 Essex Summer of Art leaflet.

2012 Trails:

Art on the Railings - Southend: 1st weekend of every month from May to September
Braintree Art Trail: 12 & 13 May and throughout June
Westcliff Art Trail: 12 -19 May
Gatehouse - Harlow: 19 & 20 May
Gosfield Jubilee & Olympic Scarecrow Trail: 16 & 17 June
Leigh Art Trail: 16 - 23 June
Brentwood Art Trail: 18 - 30 June
Burnham Art Trail: 23 June - 1 July
Thurrock Art Trail: 2 - 15 July
Parndon Mill Open - Harlow: 21 & 22 July; 14 &15; 21 & 22 July
Essex Craft & Design Show - Hyde Hall: 28 & 29 July
Art Trail Barleylands - Billericay: 3 August - 3 September
Billericay Art Trail: 30 August - 9 September
Jaywick Coastal Open: September - October
Colchester and Tendring Open Studios: every weekend during September from 8 & 9 September
‘Works Like a Charm' - Epping Forest: 16 September
Essex Craft & Design Show - Cressing Temple: 29 & 30 September
Maldon Art Trail: 29 September - 6 October
Basildon Art Trail: 5 - 15 October
Hadleigh Art Trail: 6 - 13 October
Rochford Art Trail: 27 October- 3 November