Waveney & Blyth Arts promotes the distinct cultural identity of this beautiful area of north Suffolk and south Norfolk through exciting arts projects and events. We support the work of local creative people and arts organisations, and help to build connections between people and places. The core of our programme is about celebrating ‘place’. Our annual programme offers a lens to view and experience the landscape, market towns and coastal areas in our region.
We work across the towns and surrounding areas of Diss, Harleston, Bungay, Beccles, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth along the river Waveney, and also the areas around Halesworth and Southwold in the Blyth valley.
Our programme
- Celebrate – an annual environmental arts programme of activities inspired by the area, including themed creative walks, performances, exhibitions and workshops, running from summer to autumn
- Sculpture in the Valley – June 2021 at Potton Hall, Saxmundham – an annual sculpture event which attracts up to 5000 visitors, celebrates art in the landscape and showcases excellent arts work from across the area
- Two Rivers Book Festival – September 2021
- Monthly newsletters – promoting our W&BA programme alongside member’s creative events, and listings of local jobs and opportunities across the wider region
- Themed conferences, networking opportunities and an Annual General Meeting (in November) with speakers from the regional arts & culture sector
Management Committee
Waveney & Blyth Arts is run by a Management Committee who meet monthly. The members include our Chair: Ann Follows, Treasurer: Nicky Stainton, Secretary: Brian Guthrie, independent financial advisor: Greg Tebble, and up to 2 Local Co-ordinators representing each of the W&BA areas. Our programme is developed by this Committee, and led by local volunteers, writers, artists, historians, ecologists and residents.
Within this Committee, a Covid 19 Recovery Group are looking at the safest way to deliver events in 2021.
Our Honorary President is Richard Mabey.
Area Reps
Beccles
Netta Swallow netta.swallow@btinternet.com
Bungay
Ann Woolston woolstonann@aol.com
Chris Reeve kitkat46@btinternet.com
Diss
Brian Guthrie brianguthrie45@gmail.com
Halesworth
Simon Raven simon@thefen.org
Harleston
Nicky Stainton nmstainton@gmail.com
Lisa Henshall lisa@lisahenshall.com
Lowestoft
Michaela Hobbs info@ferinimedia.co.uk
Clare Johnson itsclarejohnson@gmail.com
Southwold
Ian Lomas ian@threshershall.uk