Once a yearly occurrence on art enthusiasts calendar, the open air art fair Art on the Prom is once again set to take place in September after a four year hiatus. In 2020 the event was cancelled due to the pandemic and has not returned, until now.
Art on the prom began its journey 2004 and this year will be its 17th active year. Thanks to the continued efforts of Nichola Adams, Kate Cain from Visit Felixstowe/Felixstowe BID and the events team at East Suffolk Council, Art on the Prom has found a new producer Art Eat Events who’s co-director Iona Hodgson will reinstate the legendary event. Applications are already streaming in and the event will take place on Sunday the 3rd September from 10am to 5pm along the Felixstowe promenade.
This year a new town-wide free Love Felixstowe Festival will take place over the same weekend designed as a celebration of Felixstowe for residents and visitors alike. The program includes music, street entertainment, street food, activities for all the family, as well as Art on the Prom. This collaboration promises additional footfall to Felixstowe over the weekend, and organisers feel that both events will compliment each other perfectly bringing the much missed art bonanza back at a perfect time. Art on the Prom will benefit from additional promotion and inclusion in the festival program during its long awaited return. The idea being that both events can run side-by-side each September moving forward.
Art on the Prom is now accepting applications from artists and craftspeople who wish to exhibit and sell their work at this popular event. To apply please visit the website https://www.artontheprom.uk Anyone who makes art or crafts and would like to sell work, gain exposure, meet fellow creatives and customers alike are encouraged to apply. This year the organisers are particularly interested in bringing in some of the younger creative talent in the area to support budding artists and crafters as well as the more established ones.
This year Art on the Prom 2023 will look very similar in terms of footprint, it will be based, as always, on Heras Fencing panels placed along the promenade from the pier to the Spa Gardens. Curation will be slightly tighter as large numbers of applications are expected and prices have been adjusted in line with realistic costs. Art on the Prom 2023 expects a very high footfall due to the existing legacy, the long absence and the additional festival weekend activities.
Art on the Prom is being produced this year by local community arts organisation Art Eat Events to bring back to life a wonderful, vibrant and successful event for the benefit of the local communities of artists and art lovers alike. As a producer, Iona has managed and curated various high quality exhibitions and art fairs in Ipswich and Colchester through her businesses At Large Ltd and Art Eat Events including The Secret Art Fair, Suffolk Jewels, The Art and Print Fair at Art Eat Festival and Art at the Altar and is thrilled to be back doing what she loves after her various plans and projects being thwarted since the pandemic.
The event has been made possible thanks to support from East Suffolk Council, Felixstowe Town Council, Felixstowe BID and generous support from our first 2023 sponsor Goldstar Transport, a locally based national container transport company who are keen to support the town and give back to the local community.
AOTP remains a standalone business and with a not-for-profit remit meaning that any profit made after covering costs will be reinvested into future events and this year looks to be the beginning of a new era of success for all involved.
Art on the Prom is currently looking for more sponsors to join its creative journey. By becoming a sponsor, you will receive excellent exposure through press releases, social media presence, logos on printed materials and in the Love Felixstowe Festival program. Plus, exhibition space is on offer too allowing businesses to showcase their brand and services to a wide audience of art enthusiasts. Join us in supporting the arts and the local community and let's create something incredible together! To become a sponsor or supporter please get in touch with Iona on felixstoweartontheprom@gmail.com
Pop the date in your diary now and see you at the seaside. The event is free to attend and is for all to enjoy especially if you are looking for a special gift or some gorgeous art for your bare walls. You are guaranteed to find something you love on offer from the 150 artists and craft makers who will be exhibiting. It truly will be a special occasion for all. A long awaited return so come and support your local arts scene, we look forward to welcoming you.
