The popular celebration of arts and crafts, Art in Action, takes place in beautiful Waterperry Gardens, writes HELEN PEACOCKE

Once again, more than 200 artists from all over the world are preparing their canvasses, sculptures, ceramics, embroidery, textiles and woodwork in readiness for the 25,000 visitors who will attend the prestigious arts event known as Art in Action at Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, next weekend.

Launched in 1977, and organised by the art faculty of the School of Economic Science, Art in Action has now become an established event in Oxfordshire's summer calendar and recognised as a leading event of its kind in the UK.

The artists invited are considered representative of the best craftsmen and women in the country and are recognised internationally.

Because there is so much to see and do at this four-day event, some visitors are buying a season ticket. This enables them to take their time talking to the artists and viewing their work, with time to make the most of the beautiful gardens surrounding Waterperry House. The gardens, which were made famous in the 1930s by Beatrix Havergal's gardening school, boast one of the finest herbaceous borders in the country. They are a joy to explore as they contain such a remarkable variety of plants. The many isolated areas in the gardens also offer a quite space for those who want to relax for a moment and enjoy a picnic lunch when the crowds get too much.

A new feature of this year's Art in Action is a section devoted to drawing. It aims to show how painters, sculptors, commercial designers and others depend on this most basic of skills for their work. It will also showcase drawing, which is enjoying a resurgence, as an art in itself.

This year, the traditional stone and wood carver from India, Ganesh Bhat who trains artisans from all over India and is an advocate of sculpture therapy, will be taking part too.

From China, Shulian Zhang will demonstrate the fascinating and remarkable art of interior bottle painting decorating the inside of glass with people, animals, flowers and birds. Organisers anticipate great interest in Zhang's work which requires great dexterity.

Other artists travelling from the East will bring with them their silk brocade work, silk weaving and papier mache too. There will also be two Indian musicians to add to the atmosphere of the occasion a flute and a tabla player.

Art in Action is also particularly popular with families, as there are children's workshops taking place throughout the day where artists will demonstrate their skills. This means that the children have something to do as well as to watch.

There is also a hugely popular craft market where stall holders are selling their products, which can be anything from hand-crafted wooden toys, salt dough work or hand embroidered designer clothes and hand printed T-shirts.

Art in Action takes place at Waterperry, near Wheatley, from Thursday, July 13 and continues through to Sunday, July 16. Gates open at 10.30am and close at 5.30pm daily. Tickets are £13.50 (adults) £10 senior citizens and £8 consessions. Children's tickets cost £6.50 for ages nine to 17. Under-nines go free. Car parking is also free. A limited number of coaches are permitted by arrangement.