ESSEX SUMMER OF ART - part of Explore Culture

Be inspired and awaken your creative mind this summer

 

Essex is celebrating its second Summer of Art, a countywide showcase of art across Essex. Local artists will be exhibiting their work on 14 Art Trails and Open Studios in the county's rural, coastal and urban settings.
Taking place from May 2010 to October 2010 Summer of Art encourages people to visit the Essex art trails and explore the landscapes that have inspired generations of artists.

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.

The art trails include the established Leigh Art Trail which aims to stimulate excellence and innovation in the visual arts and promotes lifelong learning in, through and about the arts. It encourages access to arts and artistic expression for the widest range of people and seeks to sustain and stimulate growth in the region's cultural economy.

The Burnham Art Trail displays artwork at venues throughout the town including private gardens and artists' own studios. The works are diverse in style and substance and the resources used span from found objects to traditional oils and watercolours. Content covers a broad spectrum through conventional, functional, contemporary and unusual.

 

The Painter's Trail that is part of the Colchester Art Trail is a 69 mile cycling trail around the Dedham Vale, providing stunning views which were the inspiration for John Constable. The View Finder Trail by Michael Goodey is a circular 17.5-mile cycle trail around Colchester and along the River Colne taking in 10 hand-painted artworks.

The Harlow Sculpture trail focuses on the town's collection of sculptures of national significance including a Henry Moore exhibition in the  Gibberd Gallery and an Open Studio weekend at Parndon Mill, whereas the Rochford Art Trail brings together a diverse range of artworks, created by experienced artists, alongside community artists and local art groups working to promote health, well-being and community learning.

 

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, Essex Chronicle and Essex's many and varied art trails.

 

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