Art in Nature Festival now underway at Waddesdon Manor
This May, Waddesdon Manor’s magnificent gardens are once again a living canvas for Yorkshire-based land artist James Brunt and Pembrokeshire based Jon Foreman of Sculpt the World, who have created another unique, collaborative artwork for the 2nd year of this exciting festival celebrating art in nature.
The huge Waddesdon Manor Mandala, spanning over 70 metres, can be found on the North Front lawn in front of the Manor, and with assistance from artists Mark Ford and Eric Ford, took four days to create.
If you look at the centre, you can see the pattern is inspired by architectural features of the Manor. As the pattern grows out, it has the pediments, then a round of statues, and then the outer rounds are all nature inspired.
Art in Nature, which brings together leading land and environmental artists from across the UK and beyond, runs until Sunday 31 May, with the artists not only exhibiting their own work but encouraging everyone, young and old, to release their inner creativity using natural materials from the grounds.
Visitors can get hands-on with large scale community collaborations, take part in workshops, masterclasses and talks, or simply wander the art trails to see new temporary art works by some of the world’s leading artists. This year we are particularly excited to welcome Eric and Kasey Ford all the way from Illinois, USA. We are enjoying seeing their unique and breathtaking work and how they are responding to the landscape. A full list of the artists taking part can be seen below.
James Brunt said: “We have been very much looking forward to Art in Nature 2026 and are thrilled to share our work and ethos with people. There are some familiar faces returning to create their wonderful work, artists like Jon Foreman of Sculpt the World, Rebecca and Mark Ford of Two Circles Design and, Tim Pugh along with a host of new faces all being inspired by the Manor’s grounds for the first time.”
Pippa Shirley, Director of Waddesdon, says: “The Manor is an inspirational place for artists, and we are absolutely delighted to be working with James and his talented collaborators on this project which uses our unique landscape and beauty in such a creative way. I love the way that it also celebrates natural materials, whilst highlighting the ephemeral nature and fragility of the environment around us. It makes us recognize not only the beauty of the natural world but also its essential role as a habitat for wildlife and how we all need to work together to protect it now and for the future. Making collaborative art is a wonderful way to get everyone involved in thinking about the importance of place to us all.”
For more information and further details about Art in Nature, visit www.waddesdon.org.uk
ART IN NATURE ARTISTS
James Brunt is an artist and author who joins us from Kirkleatham in North Yorkshire. He works locally, across the UK and internationally, creating small scale ephemeral artworks and large scale works for events and festivals and along with Jon Foreman gave us our Waddesdon Mandala last year. His work is very temporary and is made with the intention that it returns to a natural state soon after completion, allowing James to immerse himself and enjoy time spent in the natural world.
Rebecca and Mark Ford (Two Circles Design) – West Sussex
Contemporary artists Mark Antony Haden Ford and Rebecca Ford of Two Circles Design create with natural materials. Working from their studio in Slindon, within the South Downs National Park, they make for both public and private sectors. Both have a strong interest in the archaeology, geography and the wonders of the natural world, drawing on traditions and techniques of willow craft and woodland management. As international environmental artists, their installations and sculptures encompass a wide range of traditional skills and practices, which includes the newly installed conker on Miss Alice’s Drive.
A creator of various styles of Land Art, Jon is ever in search of ‘different’. Be it with stones or leaves, inland or on beaches. He has even created works in derelict environments using materials such as broken glass or ashes and general debris. The scale of his work varies massively; he may use stones or driftwood to make something small and minimal, or he may be seen making large scale sand drawings up to 100 metres across.
Tim is a very well-established mixed media artist whose work ranges from purely natural materials to waste materials and plastics collected over time. His practice is an ongoing journey of constructing sculptures and sketching out drawings that make use of natural materials and a wide range of mixed media, raising questions of human impact on the planet. The sculptures are made in a variety of outdoor habitats and landscapes that include beaches, woodlands and riverbanks.
Florence Halliwell – West Sussex
Florence is an all-round creative, and whether that be land art, drama or dance, she brings to Art in Nature bundles of creativity and a refreshing approach to land art that should be an inspiration to us all.
2026 IS a first Art in Nature for artist and disability activist, Sam Cleasby. Travelling from Sheffield, Sam’s work is the embodiment of art and nature for health and well-being. With work founded in nurture, care and support for both the body and natural world. This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience something new and unique at this year’s event.
Caroline Hayes – North Yorkshire
Caroline of Caroline Colours Creative, who alongside James is one of the organisers of Art in Nature, is a neurodiverse Art Director, Designer and all-round Creative who is passionate about sharing the importance of human connection and creativity (especially within the neurodiverse community) for good mental health and wellbeing. Caroline champions art to unite and support people, and encourages the simple act of creating, without thought or expectation of the end product, something that holds many of us back.
Ana’s work is a true celebration of her love for the land around her Portugeuse home. Creating the most wonderfully detailed and often richly colourful mandalas within the environment Ana travels the world sharing her passion for the environment and showcasing her stunning creations.
Richard is a leading artist in the field of ephemeral nature art, working with natural materials gathered from the environment and created in natural locations, photographing each sculpture in ambient light. He creates intuitively using the environment to guide the creation process. Exploring themes of existence and transience through an ever-deepening relationship with nature.
Julia’s work is deeply connected to her surroundings, resulting in simple playful interactions with nature that sit perfectly within the locations created. Along with Richard Shilling, Julia set up and runs ‘Land Art for Kids’ an organisation that encourages others to explore and appreciate the joys of creative play in nature.
Andy Whitehouse – North Yorkshire
Bringing a unique vibe to our first weekend at Art in Nature is Harrogate-based musician Andy Whitehouse. As artists and visitors create, Andy, using looping technology, takes inspiration from the landscape and the creativity around him to build an ambient soundtrack that compliments the landscape.
Laurence Winram – Edinburgh, Scotland
A new face for 2026 is Laurence Winram. Laurence’s work can only be described as joyful, playful and deeply rooted in harmony with the seasons.
Eric and Kasey Ford – Illinois, USA
As a well-established stone balance artist, Eric also has a sympathetic eye for material and place and brings a unique approach to creating with the materials onsite. Visitors are wowed by his precariously balanced stone sculpture. Kasey is an invaluable addition to our team by bringing her organisational skills and naturally cheerful vibe to help the event to run smoothly.
From Pembrokeshire Wales, Layla is the Art in Nature’s filmmaker and documenter. She is also, an accomplished artist herself when not behind the camera. Look out for some of Layla’s work around Baron’s Walk.
ENDS
