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40 summers of artArt in Action has grown from a group of 51 artists keen to share their passion to an arts festival attracting over 25,000 visitors. Now in its fi nal year, Shirley Burch refl ects on the growth over four decadesIt started with little acorns….” new organiser Simon Buchanan wrote recently when announcing the death of Art in Action’s founder/organiser Bernard Saunders. “Bernard was inspired to start Art in Action in 1977 with a few marquees housing 51 artists and craftspeople working as if in their own studios – watched by a fascinated public.” As many as 14,000 visitors came to that fi rst three-day event. Since then Art in Action has grown to become a great oak of a multi-tented arts festival, welcoming 400 artists, craftspeople, performers, musicians and lecturers as well as 25,000 visitors annually. The venue is Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire, which hosts four days of excellent demonstrations in all these areas, plus practical classes and further opportunities for hands-on participation.Simon advises regular visitors to be prepared for ground plan changes this year. Pedestrians will go through a different gate out of the (free) car park to Ticket Sales and on through the orchard to the West Field, where the Welcome Tent, Programmes, Practical Classes and Tickets, plus restorative coffee stop cafés will be sited. First-time visitors, possibly drowning in the packed programme, could take some time out here to see what’s on offer and map out some priorities. Newest of the new disciplines this year will be the Digital Arts tent, organised by Christopher Antoniou, who has worked in the digital arts fi eld for 15 years: “I have witnessed the shift from artists having to be more technically minded when unleashing their creativity,” he explains. “Our aim is to show people how to paint, draw and sculpt using software digital tools like Photoshop and Zbrush, with 3D and 2D printing and an area dedicated to workshops and training.” Also new: Zendo will offer Japanese brush calligraphy each morning in a place of natural beauty by the river; with Zen fl ute music, simple Japanese tea and the chance to try some Zen painting in the afternoon. Close by, through the idyllic gardens, will be the labyrinth walk, launched last year.On the Thursday, Andrew Brewerton, Above: Visitors admire a sculpture by Tanya Russell in the Waterperry GroundsBelow left: An example of digital art by Christopher Antonioufounder of the Plymouth School of Creative Arts will speak on ‘Art in Education’. On Friday, Jekka McVicar, ambassador for the RHS, has chosen ‘The long and winding road to Chelsea’ as her topic, while on Sunday Lucinda Lambton will speak of the crafts that created Queen Mary’s dolls house. With such a schedule, Art in Action 2016 promises to be a fi ne tribute to its late founder/organiser. ■¥ Art in Action will be held at Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, from July 14Ð17, www.artinaction.org.uk. Sadly, for a variety of reasons this will be the last Art in Action event. Book online before June 12 to enjoy an early bird discount of 10%.34 NADFAS REVIEW / SUMMER 2016 www.nadfas.org.ukART IN ACTION