Art In Action

General information

Inspired by the simple principle that people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work, Art in Action was born.

In 1977, 51 artists and musicians took part and 14,000 visitors arrived. In 2016 Art in Action welcomed approximately 28,000 people over four days. Visitors came to learn, buy and enjoy, the exhibitions, classes and performances of 400 demonstrating artists, designer makers, teachers, musicians and performers. Disciplines included painting, sculpture, glass, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and jewellery.
The Art Festival stopped after 2016 but the venue, Waterperry Gardens, continues as a horticultural, artistic and spiritual jewel of Oxfordshire. The energy of Art in Action is being taken up by new events on the estate and the hope is that this will lead to a year round flowering of all the arts.