After two years away, Summer at the Beach returned to Waterbeach Barracks over the first three weekends of July. Based in the evocative and distinctive ‘Terraces’ space – used by the military as hangars for fire trucks in the 1940s and then as a storage and vehicle maintenance area - this year’s event provided an eclectic mix of high-quality art, food, music and culture – as well as a giant sunflower!
Andy Taylor, local artist and event organiser, said: “Summer at the Beach is a fantastic opportunity for Waterbeach’s artistic community to come together to celebrate and share the place that inspires us.”
Run in conjunction with Cambridge Open Studios, this year’s art exhibition showcased a wide range of local talent – from paintings, illustrations, printmaking and sculptor to ceramics, millinery and textiles.
Alongside the art exhibition, Summer at the Beach staged a range of free events and workshops, including a relief printmaking workshop with Sue Barnes, a demonstration from graffiti artist Maze and a meet the artist session for members of the Waterbeach W.I. It also saw the return of the popular Repair Café, with talented volunteers giving a new lease of life to a wide range of products including household appliances, bikes, musical instruments and a tent. As in previous years, the popular ‘Pop-up Café’ (set up and run by Karen Lewis), was serving a range of delicious homemade cakes, snacks and refreshments each weekend during the event.
Rebecca Britton from Urban&Civic, said: “It’s been great to welcome back Summer at the Beach. The work that the team put in to transforming the Terraces into part of the Open Studios season has been incredible. The diversity of events for people to enjoy and take part in is amazing, and the showcase of local creative talent is fantastic. As we gear up for new residents moving in next Spring, we look forward to continuing to support this important event in the local cultural and community calendar.”
Gideon Pain, local artist and event coordinator, said: “It’s great to be able to bring Summer at the Beach back to the Terraces, which provide a great backdrop to showcase the wide range of mixed media art on display. We’re hoping to be back next year and have already had expressions of interest from some exciting young artists in the area.”
Summer at the Beach is a fantastic opportunity for Waterbeach’s artistic community to come together to celebrate and share the place that inspires us.
