Greenwich Park gets creative

The Royal Parks, in partnership with The Friends of Greenwich Park, is hosting an 'Art in the Park' creative day on Wednesday 27 August. Between 11am and 4pm adults and youngsters will have the opportunity to pencil, paint or crayon their favourite views of Greenwich Park.

Entry includes an equipment pack, is free for five to 16 year olds and costs £1 per adult. The 10 best adult and under 16s pictures will be put on display in the Park from 29 August to 8 September.

Derrick Spurr, Park Manager of Greenwich Park said: "Greenwich Park offers fantastic views and we hope that many of these will be captured by the Art in the Park artists. Two Royal Parks' shire horses will also be there on the day to meet and greet the park users and to offer further inspiration."

Elaine Warrell, Friends of Greenwich Park said: "The aim is to capture the spirit of the Park - its history, people, wildlife, landscape, architecture, activities. This should be a family fun day out but we also hope that some of our many local amateur and professional artists will come and join in."

Media enquiries:

For further information or images please contact:

Katy Murray, The Royal Parks on 0300 061 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Elaine Warrell, Friends of Greenwich Park on 020 8852 6158 or elaine@warrell.plus.com

Notes to Editors

About Art in the Park:

• There is no need to register in advance. Individuals and families can turn up to collect an art pack on the day. Five to 16 year olds and parents should meet at the Children's Playground; adults and over 16s should meet at the Observatory Gardens.
• An art pack with clip board, paper, crayons, pencils and a map of the Park will be given to everyone who attends. Artists are welcome to bring their own preferred medium including charcoal and pastels. The only restriction is that the finished art work is no larger than A4.
• The 10 best adult and under 16s interpretations will be shown in an exhibition in the Park outside the Pavilion Tea House from Friday 29 August to Monday 8 September.
• Judges for the day for the adult work are local artists Frances Treanor, who was the first 'artist in residence' for Greenwich Park in 2005-6, and painter Deborah Glass, who has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. The children's judge is young artist Emily Glass who has a special interest in children's art.
• 'Art in the Park' follows three years of successful 'artist in residence' programmes involving painter Frances Treanor in 2005-6, art photographer Edward Hill in 2006-7 and sculptor Pat Rae for 2007-8.

About the Friends of Greenwich Park:

The Friends of Greenwich Park was set up in 1992 to support Park management, encourage an informed interest in Greenwich Park, the oldest of the Royal Parks, and to raise funds for special projects. It has a membership of nearly 1700, including 30 corporate Friends.

For further information please visit: www.friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk

About Greenwich Park:

Greenwich Park is a World Heritage Site and it has recently been awarded with Green Heritage Site Accreditation by the Green Flag Awards.

Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed Royal Park. There has been a settlement on this site since Roman times, but Greenwich is more strongly associated with royalty. The land was inherited in 1427 by the Duke of Gloucester, brother of Henry V, and generations of monarchs have enjoyed this magnificent park ever since.

The Royal Parks:

The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.

For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk