Over the years, various people have given us feed back on how the Festival has been a positive experience. We have collected some of these together to share with you:
The Nuneaton Festival of Arts is a great competition to enter. It has opened doors for me and given me connections in the art industry and I am very grateful. The festival has also inspired me to continue with my artwork as it has supported me to buy new equipment. I really hope other young artists, like myself, join the festival and feel inspired to keep creating art and move forward with their work.
Alyssa (Student) 2019
They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something… I think the Nuneaton Festival of Arts was my 10,000 hours. From the age of 6, I competed in categories from chorus poetry to comic poetry, solo acting, group acting and sight reading. The festival really was my training ground, allowing me to hone my skills, gain experience before an audience and get critiques from globally recognised adjudicators. Without the Festival I wouldn’t be the performer I am today.
Jordan Charles. Singer,Choir Director and Judge on “All Together Now” (BBC1) 2019.
Richard Doron has been contributing to the Creative Writing section of the Nuneaton Festival of Arts (NFA) since 2005 and is delighted to be consistently amongst the winners. The NFA has been instrumental in spurring him on to write fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
He says, “It encourages young and old alike to express themselves and discover a love for writing. Although the NFA is essentially a competition there are no losers. Anyone who enters will have been inspired, like me, to put pen to paper or finger to keyboard. Additionally, I share their sense of achievement when reading the winning entries displayed in Nuneaton library.”
Richard Doron Original Writing.
Our school has been entering the Craft and Needlecraft sections for over 15years. Many children have gone on to develop their skills and interest with several also being inspired to buy their own sewing machines and continue to enter the Festival after moving on to secondary school.
I have watched children’s confidence grow especially when they receive a certificate or trophy for their work or see it on display at the Museum. I have already started looking round the classrooms to see what we can enter this year!
Lynda Gambrill – Goodyers End Primary School, Bedworth. 2019
In 2017 I decided I needed a personal challenge so chose to enter the Floral Section of the Festival. I am neither a florist nor a flower arranger so entered the ‘Novice’ and the ‘Imposed’ Sections. I was amazed and delighted when awarded second place for ‘Novice’ and First for ‘Imposed’
In the ‘imposed’ Class, the entry fee covers the cost of all the materials you would need to do an exhibit. Everyone has exactly the same materials and it is up to you to decide how to utilise them. This was fun to participate in. I was so proud to have achieved something I had never dreamed of, and my self confidence and belief in myself increased as I never thought I would succeed in an unfamiliar territory.
Eileen from Tamworth winner of Imposed Class 2017
The Nuneaton Festival of Arts has provided Bulkington Silver Band over the last two decades with an ideal platform to give our young musicians the opportunity to play in public before a critical judge.
The Brass Section has allowed them to increase their confidence in solo work and ensemble playing as they prepared for individual practical exams held by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music).
Also, our adult learners, keen to make music as a social pastime, have gained valuable experience performing solos, duets and trios etc. before a critical yet sympathetic ear.
Michael Taylor (former MD Bulkington Silver Band)
The photos show the presentation of the John Wing Cup made by his sister to Bethany Funnell and Michel Taylor in the duet section and the entire band following their performance in 2011