Sketching, sculpture & storytelling for the whole family in Grade II listed Park
A new arts festival is set to turn Wimbledon’s Grade II* listed Cannizaro Park into a must-visit arts destination. Taking place on Sunday 19 September, Art in the Park combines masterclasses for adults of all artistic abilities, family friendly workshops, a sculpture trail and an art fair showcasing local talent. The event is supported by Viking, the award-winning river and ocean cruise line, and combines free art activities with ticketed masterclasses led by renowned experts from across the UK.
Art in the Park programme
The free to enter event has a packed programme of activities which include:
· Visitors to Cannizaro’s Art in the Park can try their hand at a variety of artistic techniques in the Hartley Fowler Adult Masterclasses tent, including botanical painting, Japanese woodblock printmaking, plein-air painting and drawing some of the Park’s vast collection of diverse and rare trees.
· Younger visitors will enjoy discovering the world of art and design in the dedicated EQ Investors’ Children’s Workshop Tent. These include animation techniques, storytelling and craft, drawing some of the Park’s flora and fauna as well as block printing inspired by celebrated local designer William Morris.
· Throughout the day, visitors are invited to contribute to the Viking Community Sculpture, designed by renowned local sculptor Tim Norris. Tim will lead a free workshop, helping visitors to create elements of the sculpture and build it into a large-scale work that will remain on display in the Park. There’s also a special sculpture trail to explore.
· Visitors can pick up some art materials at the Art Hub and get creative with free drawing workshops hosted by a range of local artists.
· An Art Fair, held in Cannizaro Park’s picturesque Italian Gardens, will showcase 50 local artists covering in painting, printmaking, ceramics and jewellery-making, including talent from the Park’s ACAVA pottery shed studios. Entry is free.
“Our inaugural event has been created by a team of volunteers – all local artists – who have combined their passion for art and a love of our historic Wimbledon park”, explains Catherine Nelson, Chair of The Friends of Cannizaro Park. “Art in the Park promises a full day of creativity for the whole community to enjoy – we look forward to welcoming art lovers, amateur enthusiasts, budding artists and families alike.”
Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking UK, said: “Wimbledon is the home of Viking UK so we’re very pleased to support our community, including local artists, by sponsoring the inaugural Art in the Park event. At Viking they are passionate about connecting different cultures and providing culturally enriching experiences for their guests all around the world, so they’re delighted to be part of this event in their local neighbourhood which celebrates art in all its forms and is open to everyone.”
The one-day event is supported by Viking, the award-winning ocean and river cruise line, and has been created by a dedicated volunteer team of local artists from The Friends of Cannizaro Park. Continuing a rich history of art displays in the park’s beautiful landscape, this event is held in partnership with The Merton Arts Festival, the park’s ACAVA artists’ studios and Wimbledon BookFest Sunset Festival, taking place on the same weekend.
