The Essex Summer of Art continues its exciting showcase of local artists in a programme of exhibitions, workshops and activities. Janice Walker looks at some of the treats July has in store
The Brentwood
Arts Festival
July 5 to 12
This celebration of the arts in Brentwood commemorates the World War I centenary. It takes place throughout the borough, giving visitors the opportunity to view the work of local artists and take part in various activities including the art trail (which starts on June 28), exhibitions, talks, performances and much more. The programme of events available includes an evening of letters, poems, songs and refreshments from World War I, fine art, performances of Shakespeare, plus orchestral and choral renditions of Elgar.
For further details visit
www.brentwoodartsfestival.org.uk
The Billericay
Arts Festival
July 10 to 20
This festival offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the plethora of activities celebrating the festival’s theme of ‘Billericay — a great place to meet and eat’. As well as highlighting the area’s generous range of eateries and independent shops, local venues will be hosting a variety of events to please even the most fastidious of visitors. These include the now well-established Art Trail, an evening of Jazz in the Park and midday open-air theatre in Lake Meadows Park. In the High Street there will be creative artists at work, Tavern-Yard Tales in the Reading Rooms and music and choral events at various venues throughout the week.
The Billericay Big Draw takes place in Lake Meadows and gives you an opportunity to be creative by sketching, drawing or doodling in your choice of media. If you’re not personally creative, but want to enjoy one of the most tangible art forms, you can head to Billericay’s ancient woodland heritage of Norsey Wood and take a stroll through the Sculpture Trail. Offering an opportunity for nostalgia, vintage cars will be on display at The Rotary Summerfest at Sun Corner and the Big Picnic at Lake Meadows promises to be a splendid family event – bring your own food and drink and celebrate the festival’s theme of meet and eat.
For further details visit
www.billercayarttrail.co.uk
Parndon Mill
Open Studios
July 19 and 20, 10am until 5pm
Parndon Mill in Harlow has been restored to become home to a vast assembly of talented artists of wide-ranging genres and this Open Studios event gives you the opportunity to see for yourself the magnificent glass, weaving, calligraphy, guitar making, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and fine arts on display, as well as talking to the artists and seeing demonstrations of their work. The Project Space will be home to an exhibition of examples of the work of most of the participating artists and The Gallery will house the complementary exhibition In Collaboration which exemplifies how artists with differing skills work together to create works of art.
For further details, visit www.parndonmill.co.uk/open_studios.html
Find Out More
Information on all the events associated with the Essex Summer of Art is available at www.visitessex.com
