Sax Arts Festival 2024 was our most successful ever, bringing the community together by offering something for everyone, all completely free. Over 7,600 people attended, 50% of whom were visiting the town for the first time, according to data supplied by East Suffolk Council. The Festival characterises Saxmundham as a vibrant place that people want to come back to and highlights from the day are included below.
For a taste of just how good Sax Arts Festival was this year, watch our video!
Sax Arts Fest was supported with funding from Arts Council England, East Suffolk Council, Saxmundham Town Council. Word Space with thanks to St John’s Church, Saxmundham. Video credits: Samuel Bignell, Camera Operator, and Matthew Lawes-Wickwar, Editor + Colourist.
Word Space at St John’s Church was a sell-out and featured on ITV news. It included a reading of The Horse in the Furrow by George Ewart Evans, directed by Jenny Caron Hall for SHAKE Festival, with Alex Jennings (The Crown), Charlie Haylock, Barbara Ashfield (Akenfield), as well as the younger voices of Malachi King, Xander Ridge, Noah Bayman; students from Thomas Mills, Alde Valley Academy and Woodbridge schools.
John Carr read from Escape from The Ghetto, a captivating true story of a boy’s escape from the Lódz Ghetto, followed by a discussion with local councillor Jeremy Smith.
Rebecca Goss read from her 2023 collection Latch, set in Suffolk, followed by a conversation with novelist, Amanda Hodgkinson.
Melissa Harrison read from All Among the Barley (EU Prize for Literature winner) and The Stubborn Light of Things(East Anglian Book of the Year), followed by a conversation with writer, Alison Dudeney.
Robert Jellicoe read from his debut Shorelines, about Southwold’s longshore fishermen, followed by a conversation with photographer, Richard Allenby-Pratt.
At Saxmundham Library, Ashley Hickson-Lovence read from Wild East, a story about a black student dreaming of becoming a rapper. Christopher Hill read from his comedy plays for children. Students from the University of Suffolk read from Rebels With A Very Good Cause, about famous Suffolk figures.
With thanks to SHAKE Festival, Amanda Hodgkinson (UoS), Molly Britton (UoS) St John’s Church, and Saxmundham library.
Image: Word Space, Photo Credit: Alex Ward
An exhibition of contemporary textile practice in two parts co-curated by Professor Freddie Robins and The Art Station. Professor Freddie Robins said “The artists in Thread Count work with thread, fibre and cloth for many reasons, but there is a strong undercurrent of a desire for creative and physical freedom.”
Thread Count includes artworks by: Rosie Edwards, Woo Jin Joo, Sophie Giller, Feifan Hu, Daisy Collingridge, Andrew Omoding, Jevan Watkins Jones, Freddie Robins, Peter Collingwood, Rebecca Riess, Emily Cannell, Mikey Cuddihy, Julie Cockburn, Abigail Lane, Srinivas Surti, Annabel Elgar, John Craske, William Wallace.
Image: Thread Count exhibition, Photo Credit: Alex Ward
More infoA community photography exhibition created by PhotoShed participants (see below) and other Saxmundham community. The exhibition offered a glimpse of Suffolk and Saxmundham life, the community, buildings and landscape; alongside heritage photographs from Saxmundham Museum. Located in the market hall, this exhibition was hugely successful.
PhotoShed, a weekly photography and walking group led by professional photographer Richard Allenby-Pratt gives people opportunities to make new friendships as well as learn new skills and get out and about locally and with visits to other beautiful coastal sites. Attendance of 25 participants has been strong each week, establishing the group as part of the cultural network in the town.
PhotoShed is Funded by East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council (Public Health and Communities). Image: Saxmundham Now, Photo Credit: Alex Ward. Saxmundham Now exhibition with thanks to Richard Allenby-Pratt, Malcolm Watson, and Rebecca Smithers.
A variety of local musicians provided uplifting live music and entertainment for attendees.
BBC Radio 1 and Radio Suffolk DJ, Angelle Joseph was the emcee on the main stage and provided upbeat music on Fromus Green, alongside introducing Suffolk-based musical talent throughout the day.
Perhaps Contraption, a progressive brass band from London, gave an exciting finale performance at 8pm in the historic St John’s Church.
Other musical acts included: Ipswich Hospital Band, Rabble Chorus, Rebecca Waller, Lara Price, Kitty-May Hayes, Alex Hawkins, Robin Torbitt, Tom Mumford, Zack Ochert, Tumaraca, Mal & Rog, Henley J King, Steve Lay, Loose Change, The Pancakes, All Stars, Group A, Year 10 Thomas Mills, and Year 11 Thomas Mills.
Image: Sax Arts Fest 2024, Photo Credit: Alex Ward.
We were pleased to welcome brilliant local artists and organisations, who led free, hands-on workshops throughout the day.
Workshops included: Collage Paper Cuts by Lily Hammond, Indigo and Shibori Dye by Sevanti Roy, Indian Block Printing by Holly Scholfield, Cyanotypes by Anna Ilsley, Plaster Casting by Neil Hanger, Relief Clay Tiles by Jo Chapman, Felt Soaps by Liz Waugh, Music Workshops by Ian Brownlie, Stick Play by Jevan Watkins-Jones, Life Drawing by Christian Aldridge, Illustration by Kate Rolfe, Wild Puppet Workshops, RSPB Young Wardens, Dance by Sam Moss, and Water/River/Blue Spaces demonstrations by Mad Scientist.
We would like to express our thanks to Sax Community Fridge who provided cookery demonstrations and tastings with Chef Jason in the Queen’s Head car park. Attendees learned about growing their own food, tea, coffee, and there were exciting workshops available for children and families!
Image: Sax Arts Fest 2024, Photo Credit: Alex Ward.
Saxmundham Community Fridge
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Saxmundham Community Fridge for their invaluable support at Sax Arts Fest 2024. The Sax Community Fridge team are doing vital work in our community by reducing food waste and offering tea, coffee and homemade cakes for all to enjoy, twice weekly in the Queen’s Head Car Park on the High Street. At the festival they provided engaging cookery demonstrations and tastings with Chef Jason, and attendees had the opportunity to learn about sustainable food practices, and enjoy tasty samples.
In addition, Sax Community Fridge offered exciting, hands-on workshops for children and families, encouraging creativity and connection. Their ongoing efforts to tackle food insecurity and promote sustainability are inspiring, and we are grateful once again for their involvement in making this year’s festival extra special.
Image: Sax Arts Fest 2024, Photo Credit: Alex Ward.
Feedback on Sax Arts Fest from visitors and local businesses has been incredibly positive: one local pub told us that lunch bookings were up 150% compared to the previous Saturday and every business on the High Street that we spoke to reported significant increases in spend. Testimonials included:
“It has become clear to me that it is becoming a key driver in building the cultural economy” (Jayne Knight, Arts Lead, Suffolk County Council).
“It was wonderful to see the town so busy and the high street alive with people having a good time” (Genevieve Christie, CEO First Light Festival c.i.c).
“A brilliant event for the whole community, drawing in many from further afield too. I really salute the ambition and quality of the day. The new Art Station exhibition ‘Thread Count’ is a beautiful show that pushes the boundaries of textile making but is also playful. The large numbers visiting on Saturday were quite rightly delighted with it.” (Saxmundham resident).
“The exhibition of local photography, the open studios, the performances by children & community groups, the stalls where we cast a plaster image, life drawing for all, the local music bands of all ages, the talks – so much going on. All these made the day a truly inclusive, uplifting event” (Saxmundham resident).
Image: Sax Arts Fest 2024, Photo Credit: Alex Ward