Student-led Arts Festival returns to Kenilworth next week

Kenilworth Arts Festival is set to return next week for its second year. Created by Warwick postgraduate students Lewis Smith and Charlotte Thomas, the festival will run from 17 to 23 September with events at venues across the town.

Acts range from writers to musicians and artists with headliners including folk guitarist John Smith, horticulturist and former Gardener’s World presenter Alys Fowler, pianist Gwilym Simcock, and author Kit de Waal.

The festival is set to start with ‘Fiesta’ on Sunday in Abbey Fields, a day long event for families featuring live music, a live theatre area, local arts and crafts stalls and family activities such as storytelling as well as some organised by Warwick Arts Centre.

Along with its headline speakers and events, the Festival will also see a variety of arts workshops hosted around Kenilworth including needlefelting, mosaic and making dreamcatchers.

We have some wonderful venues in the town ranging from the spectacular to the intimate.

Lewis Smith, who now serves as the festival’s Artistic director whilst also completing his PhD in History at the University, said: “I’m very proud of this year’s line-up – we have some fantastic talent performing – both local and from around the UK.

“The festival is gaining momentum now. We’re building on last year’s success, with huge involvement again this year from the University of Warwick.”

“We hope that the festival will showcase Kenilworth too – we have some wonderful venues in the town ranging from the spectacular to the intimate and we hope all our artists and punters enjoy the experience.”

With its creators current students, the University of Warwick is retaining a strong link to the festival and sponsoring it for a second year. Professor of English Sarah Moss will be speaking at the festival with Warwick Writing Programme graduate Jane Commane curating an evening of poetry at Kenilworth Castle.

Kenilworth Arts Festival is also advertising for interested students to get involved as volunteers.

You can find out more information about the festival and getting involved here.