Hundreds flock to art fair as Hampstead Summer Festival kicks off

Children took part in an art competition while visitors browsed the range of paintings on display and took part in demonstrations.

Edward Ofosu, a tutor at the Hampstead School of Art, painted Whitestone Pond on a giant canvas, and adults and children had a chance to add their artistic touch to a community canvas next to his.

Artist Xiaolan Gu demonstrated Chinese brush painting and calligraphy.

There were also workshops in ceramics, printmaking and silk painting.

The Fair was opened by Hampstead and Kilburn’s newly re-elected MP Tulip Siddiq who praised the volunteers from the festival and staff from Hampstead School of Art for their hard work.

She toured the children’s art competition and picked her winner from a range of paintings submitted by children from local primary schools.

One of the organisers Vicky Bobasch, from Keats Community Library, said: “You know summer has arrived when the art fair sets up at Whitestone Pond. “It attracted both local residents and curious tourists on their way to the Heath who stopped to look at the amazing range of work on display.”

The Hampstead Summer Festival runs until Sunday July 2.

Next Saturday, Keats Library will host an animal themed family garden party with rhyme-telling, story-telling a craft table and treasure hunt.

Afternoon tea and cakes will be served, while author Fabi Santiago will be reading from her book Tiger in a Tutu.

The festival reaches its climax on with Big Fair Day on Sunday from 12-5pm.

Over 100 stalls will set up along Heath Street, with crafts and food and drink.

There will also be circus performers, a fun fair, birds of prey, donkey rides and a giant chess set.

Local musical talent and entertainers will take to the big stage.

Ms Bobasch said: “A plethora of local musical talent on the big stage usually results in some serious boogying. It’s a great day out for everyone.”

Visit http://www.hampsteadsummerfestival.com for more information