Essex Summer of Art continues to make its way across the county this June with a range of exciting exhibitions, workshops and activities that offer something for everyone.  

Essex Summer of Art 2012 was launched at the home of the Olympic 2012 mountain bike venue in Hadleigh. The art trails this year continue until 3 November and form part of the Cultural Olympiad and the ongoing Olympic 2012 celebrations.

Here is summary of the Art Trails visiting locations across the county this June:

• Brentwood Art Trail: Monday 18 – Saturday 30 June
  50 artists and students will be showcasing their work in over 20 venues across Brentwood. Work will be produced in a range of media, culminating in a final exhibition at the Brentwood’s Gone Global Sparks will Fly journey stop event on 1 July at the Brentwood Centre.
• Gosfield Jubilee and Olympic Scarecrow Trail: Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 June
  One of the most visited trails of Summer of Art 2010, this event makes a welcome return. The creative residents of Gosfield will be making hundreds of scarecrows to display in their front gardens for all visitors to enjoy – the special theme of this year is ‘sporting heroes’, to mark the Olympic 2012 Games.
• The Leigh Art Trail: Saturday 16 – Saturday 23 June
  Now in it’s 15th year, Leigh is the longest running art trail in Essex. Featuring over 40 artists with a range of creative talents, the Leigh Art Trail mixes artists’ studios and homes with local shops and bars as venues – some art works are also available to purchase.
• Burnham Art Trail: Saturday 23 June – Sunday 1 July
  Many of the artworks on show at Burnham have been inspired by the natural beauty, strong sailing traditions and the relaxed lifestyle of the area and range from fine art to leatherwork and textiles. 

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture said: “I would encourage all Essex residents to visit the exciting art trails and it’s great to see such a creative and energetic artistic culture across our county. With so many art trails that still yet to come, there are opportunities for all residents to take a look at the fantastic works on show.” 

Art Trails have already visited the coast with ‘Art on the Railings’, overlooking Southend’s mile-long pier. On the first weekend of every month until September, artists of all disciplines will be selling their work on the pier railings, live artistic demonstrations and free art workshops will also be provided for all to enjoy. 

The trail moved onto Westcliff on 12 to 19 May. This was its fifth year of the trail and included a special Art Trail map so that visitors missed none of the works on show plus a ‘hide and seek’ competition for children. The Braintree Art Trail also begun on this same weekend with ‘Art in the Park’ in Halstead Public Gardens which featured something with a difference, that of giant sized figures that were positioned around Braintree and the District.

Gatehouse Arts also opened its doors to visitors with a special open studio weekend on 19 and 20 May. Situated in the heart of Harlow Town Centre, visitors got a chance to visit an exhibition in the main gallery, 23 studios and were able to chat with many of the resident in-house artists.