I love to hear about the local projects going on all over the world to regenerate communities. It’s amazing how the impetus of one person or one group can make a difference (let’s not forget that!).
For this week’s Hope post, I’m going to tell you about an art festival that’s recently taken place in Oxfordshire in the UK. I read about it in Resurgence magazine.
The Art in Action festival takes place each year, and there is also a year-round exhibition.
It started when sculptor Bernard Saunders watched a demonstration of craftsmanship at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in the 1970s. He was fascinated to see the level of interest in the process from those watching.
So he found a space, Waterperry House, and put on the first exhibition in 1977 with 51 artists and musicians. One of the key elements of the exhibition is the interaction between the artists and craftspeople and those watching them work. This communication itself affects the end result.
The event has happened every year since and last year attracted 22,000 visitors. It’s great to think how many people have gained a visceral understanding of craftsmanship by watching people work. I’m sorry I missed it this year and it’s in my diary for 2008.
So let’s not forget all the hopeful things that are happening. Feel free to share what you’ve come across in the comments.
Have a happy week everyone.
