Arts gathered in a lovely setting at the Art in Action festival

It’s one of the most prestigious arts events in the country – an annual celebration of the arts, in all their forms, that takes place at the height of summer in scenic Oxfordshire gardens.

Over the next four days, 25,000 people are expected to descend upon Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, for the prestigious Art in Action festival. They will come to see 400 artists, craftsmen, performers, musician, and caterers demonstrating their skills and showing off their work – from ceramics to metalwork and jewellery, printmaking and glass.

This event is clearly an enormous feat on very many levels.

“I feel both humbled and privileged taking on such a prestigious and popular event – like a rabbit in the headlights at times!” jokes Simon Buchanan, the recently appointed steward of the Waterperry Estate and chief organiser of Art in Action. “Sometimes it’s invigorating, other times it’s really quite daunting.”

Able to see the event from all perspectives, Mr Buchanan is also an established and well-respected sculptor. He says: “I’ve actually taken part in Art in Action several times over the past 10 years. I was an apprentice the first time I exhibited here. It’s a really great experience – mentally and physically exhausting, but really great.

“Having been a demonstrator is a tremendous advantage when it comes to planning the event as it gives me a real insight as to what an exhibitor values, which is really useful.” When asked what he thinks is special about hosting Art in Action against the backdrop of the Waterperry Estate, Mr Buchanan replies without missing a beat: “It’s the beautiful grounds and fantastic art in one place.

“There is so much to see that it’s really worth referring to the programme online, and planning your trip carefully if there are things that you don’t want to miss. The turnover of new exhibitors is about one third each year, so I’m really looking forward to seeing the talented newcomers that have been selected to show at the event this year. There’s a really strong programme of free talks that I’m looking forward to as well, plus the practical classes that are not to be missed by visitors. Get there early or they will be sold out.

“Then there’s the performances, of course,” he continues.

“There’s a musician called Davod whose music is very spiritual, and I’m looking forward to seeing The Oxford Shakespeare Company. There’ll also be Bollywood dancing on the front lawn, and visitors can join in! It’s never been done before at Art in Action; it’s going to be wild!!”

As an artist it is vitally important to know, when to stop working on a piece. There is a natural, and fine, balance to be struck in both life and art and Mr Buchanan is obviously attuned to that, something that he describes as a “symphony”, an ability to “catch the essence, without getting caught up in the outside form.”

“Everything’s been kept very similar this year so I can learn how things happen,” he says. “I have a lot of ideas, mainly based around photography, architecture and horticulture, but regardless of how good my ideas are I need a willing workforce to realise them. All our staff are volunteers, so there are lots of conversations to be had about finding the right balance.”

• Quintessentially English: Waterperry Gardens makes the perfect setting for all manner of artistic pursuits by the best artists in their fields

The Waterperry Estate is owned by The School of Economic Science, a centre for spiritual and practical knowledge and enquiry.

In 1977, Art in Action was conceived, and continues to be planned, organised and run, by students in the school who give their time voluntarily to make the event a success.

At what has become an annual institution, thousands of visitors flock to the site to watch, meet and speak to the hundreds of artists and craftspeople who demonstrate their skills and talents in full view of the public.

Stephen Prendergast, glass section organiser of The School of Economic Science, described the essence of Art in Action; “The art at Art in Action is uplifting and the spirited generosity of the helpers inspiring,” he says. “When a visitor has had their fill of looking around they can make their way to the beautiful gardens beside Waterperry House and sit and admire the long herbaceous border in full bloom and reflect on how wonderful life can be after all.

“Long may it continue.”

Art in Action runs from today until Sunday, at Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley.
artinaction.org.uk