A CELEBRATION of art which brings more than 25,000 visitors to a country house in Oxfordshire is set to take place next week.

Art in Action, at Waterperry House, near Wheatley, began in 1977 as a small festival of fine art and master craftsmanship.

Now it runs over four days, features more than 150 different artists and offers visitors the chance to take part in everything from mosaic making to etching.

Painter Jeffery Courtney, 63, from Adwell, near Wat-lington, was one of the original demonstrators and will be back again this year.

He said: “It is one of the best events of its kind both in terms of the standard of the work and the quality of the organisation. The range it has developed since it started is just amazing – there is now work from all over the world.”

The festival runs from Thursday, July 21, to Sunday, July 24.

Artists will be demonstrating skills and techniques in a variety of different media, including calligraphy from the likes of Paul Antonio, who scribed the wedding certificate of rock star Marilyn Manson and burlesque artist Dita von Teese.

Ceramics, drawing, glass work, illustration, metalwork, jewellery, painting, sculpture, textiles and woodwork will also be on show.

The artists taking part include Israeli Sarah Hornik, who works in glass, and illustrator Sarah Morpeth, who is behind a range of 3D and pop-up books.

Art in Action spokesman Anna Arthur said: “It works on so many levels because you can watch the work being made, have a go yourself, go to a lecture and hear about it, or watch performing art.”

The artists are being invited to select pieces to exhibit in the Best of the Best tent.

Some of the classes can be booked in advance via the website artinaction.org.uk Organisers warn that places are limited and demand is high.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £5 for children, with under nines going free, and can be bought on the day or in advance from the website.