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Ok so the ‘Indian Summer’ we were promised by the Met Office may only be actually happening in India, but here we have a host of lovely art festivals to keep us all cheery!   What the better way to spend a rainy, freezing, grey, dreary August afternoon than visiting a lovely arts festival and viewing a host of art exhibitions!

Artwave is the annual visual arts festival for the Lewes District in East Sussex, showcasing the inspirational works of local artists and makers in venues across the District. From farmhouses to metal workshops, gardens to industrial sites, visual art is displayed for all to enjoy and the event is a must for any creative diary.  Running from 29th August  – 13th Sepember 2009, it’s well worth a look – and the district is lovely too!

http://www.artwavefestival.org/

Head slightly north to London on Sunday, 5th September for a unique, one-day arts festival in Trafalgar Square!  Liberty Arts Festival 2009 celebrates the contribution of deaf and disabled people to London’s culture, this has rather a lot crammed into it.  Visual arts, ariel dance perfomances and music are lined up to ensure this festival is memorable and a worthwhile visit!

http://tinyurl.com/lgnbuo

Seeing as we’re focusing on London, why not take a look at Pestival (brilliant name!).  This is an arts festival dedicated to the celebration of insects.  No, I’m not joking.  Swarms of art (groan) and installations and it all looks like rather a lot   of fun.  Plus I really like the name.  So I think we should all go and see some fab art aimed to inspire children and adults alike and start to see insects as the best rather than ‘pest’.

http://pestival.org/

Trek north from London and if you’re up Derbyshire way next month, take the opportunity to stop by at the Wirksworth Festival from 11th-26th September.  Featuring an Art & Architecture trail, a Contemporary Art Focus, music workshops and with a focus on modernism and illumination with artist’s installations throughout the town, this looks to be an exciting and memorable festival.  Here’s the link – get your car/train ticket and hot-foot it to glorious Derbyshire!

http://www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk/home/trails

….And if you fancy going even FUTHER north, check out the Edinburgh Art Festival (5th August – 5th September 2009),  Plenty to see and do, beautiful place, GAZILLIONS (yes, I just made that word up) of other entertaining events going on in the main festival….but obviously it’s the arty one we’re interested in so here….is the link!

http://www.edinburghartfestival.com/

….And if you fancy going even FURTHER – well, not exactly north…more to the left, there’s the Milingavie Arts Festival (3rd-6th September 2009) – a smaller, more intimate affair but with some lovely art on display and a book festival as well….so you can leave feeling jolly rested, cultured and all clever.

http://tinyurl.com/nq3vy9

I won’t send you further north, or else you’ll end up in the sea.

Have fun!