ESSEX SUMMER OF ART

Be inspired and awaken your creative mind this summer

 

Essex is celebrating its first ever Summer of Art, a countywide showcase of art across Essex. Local artists will be exhibiting their work on 14 Art Trails in the county in rural, coastal and urban settings.
Taking place from May 2009 to September 2009 Summer of Art encourages visitors 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 ‘Windows' the Braintree trail celebrating visual art, which pays homage to the town's textile and manufacturing heritage. Over 30 venues are showcasing the work of local artists many of whom have responded to the industrial history in the district.

The established 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 an exhibition in the Gibberd Gallery.

 

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, said: "The Summer of Art will allow visitors to appreciate the work of some of our most talented artists in a natural environment. The 13 art trails making up the Summer of Art take in Essex's beautiful countryside, stunning coastline and picturesque towns and villages. It is an opportunity for people to explore areas of the county they may never have previously visited and enjoy a great family day out this summer."

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.

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.

 

BBC Essex invites you to help create an online photographic art trail. Photos will be on published on their website. You can email them to essex.online@bbc.co.uk

There are four themes:

1. My Corner of Essex
2. View from a Window
3. Out of Hours
4. Communication.

More information can be found on the BBC Essex website.

go!, the leisure section of the Essex Chronicle and Gazette newspapers, is creating its own art trail for the Summer of Art programme. It wants to tap into the ideas and imagination of Essex artists and show what a great place the county is for culture and creativity.

Look out for details in paper and online at www.thisistotalessex.co.uk

 

 

For more information on the individual art trails and open studios please click here to download the brochure. For a comprehensive list of galleries and studios please click here.