Therefore, this summer they will be hosting a series of free, family-friendly arts activities for the local community.

These will be happening every Saturday, from the 20th of July to the 31st of August at Wivenhoe Park. Different local artists have been invited to join them with a different activity each week.

This is a great opportunity for the local community to enjoy Wivenhoe Park whilst exploring their creativity.

Classes – every Saturday at 2.00 – 4.30pm

20th July 2pm – Tree Treasure Trail

Artist Elaine Tribley has created a new map of Wivenhoe Park, that leads us on a journey of discovery, taking in the parkland’s most beautiful trees. With challenges to overcome on the way, it’s a wonderful way to explore this hidden gem of a park.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/tree-treasure-trail-around-wivenhoe-park/

27th July, 2pm – Painting in the Park

Taking inspiration from John Constable painting ‘Wivenhoe Park’ (1816), we’re going to walk in Constable’s footsteps and create our own mini masterpieces – with the support of Suffolk based artist Claudia Bose to show us how.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/painting-in-the-park/

3rd August, 2pm – Instant (Almost!) Cyanotype Photography

Come along and join us creating instant (almost!) photographs of plants and flowers foraged in the beautiful Wivenhoe Park.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/instant-almost-cyanotype-photography-with-jack-miller-briggs-miller/

10th August, 2pm – Foraging in Wivenhoe Park

Join Lora Aziz – wildcrafter, artist and author – for a foraging walk around Wivenhoe Park, followed by arts activities back at Art Exchange.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/foraging-in-wivenhoe-park-with-lora-aziz/

17th August, 2pm – Walking with Wild Writer James Canton

James will take us on a tour of its trees, paths and glades, stopping to read from his books that take their inspiration from nature, such as his seminal ‘The Oak Papers’.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/walking-with-wild-writer-james-canton/

24th August, 2pm – Animal Crackers – Sculptures in the Park!

Join artists Clare Iles and Tom Armstrong creating your own sculptures out in Wivenhoe Park. Using everyday materials, make the animals that feature in John Constable’s 1816 painting of Wivenhoe Park, including his swans, birds and cows. But why stop there? Let’s take this further and invent a few of our own!
artexchange.org.uk/classes/animal-crackers-sculptures-in-the-park/

31st August, 2pm – Circus Skills Out in the Park

With our fully trained circus skills leaders to show you how, try your hand at juggling, diablos, spinning plates – and many more. We’re excited to be working with the Grand Theatre of Lemmings who have over 10 years’ experience of honing their circus skills to share with us.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/circus-skills-out-in-the-park/

The post Free, family-friendly arts activities appeared first on Essex Book Festival.

The Book Project is a multi-facetted project to mark our 25th Edition.

Artist/Writer/Illustrator Michael Young will be leading workshops in 8 lucky primary schools across the county to create a giant concertina book to be exhibited at Cressing Temple Barns on 23rd June as part of our Midsummer Madness Day.

Primary Schools can register to take part by completing this short form:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YB6KVZ3

We are also creating our own festival ink out of oak gall gathered from 25 destinations across Essex; creating a People’s Festival Charter fit for the next 25 years with the help of artist/writer/calligrapher Lora Aziz and Special Collections and Archive team University of Essex, and much more.

All will be revealed when our programme goes live on April 4th. In the meantime, here’s a flavour of things to come …

The post Announcing the launch of The Book Project appeared first on Essex Book Festival.