Women in Arts and Music take centre stage for the return of WAMfest
WAMfest is back. The Felixstowe-centric festival celebrating women in the arts will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September 2022 at a range of venues across the town.
The line-up is full of inspirational acts and talent including singers and performers, choirs, visual artists and authors, with the aim of providing a platform for their talents and to support the growth of arts and culture in the community.
The weekend will kick off at La Vida, Felixstowe’s newest nightspot, with a spectacular performance by Big Mama Funk. Other headliners across the weekend will include the internationally acclaimed Soprano Christina Johnston, Felixstowe Harmonies and the Ipswich Reggae Choir.
Visual artists will be represented with an exhibition at 142 Gallery in Hamilton Road, the inaugural Art on the Beach festival at Beach Street and a new mural near Great Eastern Square by celebrated artist Catalina Carvajal, who is also responsible for WAMfest’s beautiful flyers and artwork.
On Sunday there will be music, literature and lunchtime theatre at The Orwell Hotel and The Triangle before the entertainment moves to the Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley for an evening of music to close the event. More artists are still to be confirmed.
“The ultimate vision is to create a sustainable annual event that supports female musicians, performers, visual artists and authors and to give a platform to present their work at live events,” said organiser Laura Locke.
“The first WAMfest was a positive and vibrant opportunity to showcase the town while supporting the tourism economy and the equality and diversity agenda,” added Laura.
“Women are traditionally under-represented at music and arts festivals. This community event will continue to support them, and the town, and we can’t wait to welcome more than 100 performers who have become part of the WAMfest family.”
Thanks to Felixstowe Town Council for their welcome support. Should you be interested in sponsorship/partnering with WAMfest, for example by supporting the new mural, please email lauralocke222@googlemail.com.
MEET THE TEAM
LAURA LOCKE
Laura Locke has worked in tourism and the media, and has been a course leader and senior lecturer in Events and Tourism Management at the University of Suffolk for over 20 years. She now works part-time and enjoys being a radio presenter for Felixstowe Radio.
Ever passionate about women’s issues and the arts, she worked with her students of event management to create women’s events at the University. On taking a break from full time work, she decided to run women’s networking events in Felixstowe – Cocktails and Conversations. From that sprung the idea of an International Women’s Day Celebration of women in art and music.
After a long period of planning and deferral due to the pandemic she is excited to work with a great team of WAMwomen, to bring WAMfest to fruition at last.
MIKAELA RACKHAM
Mikaela is a local photographic artist who has recently launched her own business, Illuminate, at Brightwell Barns in Suffolk.
After 8 years in teaching and 10 years running a photography business part time, Mikaela has followed her dream to create a space for all to learn, develop and experiment with their creative mediums.
Mikaela developed the WAM website and is hosting the exhibition at 142 Gallery in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe as part of WAMfest!
To find out more about Mikaela: https://www.illuminatestudio.co.uk
ALISON BOGGIS
I moved to Felixstowe with my young family 26 years ago and we totally fell in love with this beautiful part of Suffolk.
Having retired from a career as an academic at the University of Suffolk and enjoying previous WAM events, I was so impressed by the passion and ethos of the organisation I was happy to volunteer my services and help out at various social events.
ALISON MILLER
Alison is thrilled to be involved in WAMfest, she is interested in all things cultural and particularly passionate about theatre, music and literature. Alison is part of the management team at The Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley and her role in the WAMFEST team is in finance and administration.
CATALINA CARVAJAL
Colombian illustrator and visual artist based in Suffolk, England.
Catalina works in digital and mixed media and enjoys drawing objects, plants, landscapes, animals and anthropomorphic figures.
Catalina has painted our wonderful murals opposite The Orwell Hotel and has produced all of our marketing material! She is an ultimate WAM Women!
To find out more about Catalina: www.catalinacarvajal.co.uk
VICTORIA PETCHEY
Victoria is a local artist who owns The Gallery Box, a mobile art studio bringing art to those who are eager to develop their artistic skills.
Victoria is also the driving force behind Art at the Beach, a new event which will be held at Beach Street, Felixstowe on Saturday, September 10th featuring 40 local artists and makers.
To find out more about Victoria:
SHELINE GLEDHILL
Sheline joins the WAMfest crew for their second year to help look after the website and social media.
She has been a journalist for most of her career and spent 12 happy years at the East Anglian Daily Times where she edited their monthly business magazine.
More recently she worked at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Felixstowe BID and Visit Felixstowe.
Sheline enjoys live music and theatre and is thrilled to be involved in festival.