‘Landscapes of Life’ is theme of this year’s Isle of Ely Arts Festival

The theme for the 2019 edition of the Isle of Ely Arts Festival, which runs from June 15 to July 13, is ‘Landscapes of Life’.

The society that runs the festival each year say that audiences should expect “a cultural month full of music, art, theatre, live film screenings, literature and more.

“There’s also a chance for you to get creative with a writing competition, the Babylon summer exhibition open to both amateur and professional artists, workshops at Haddenham Galleries and an open mic poetry night with Fen Speak.

For the launch event on June 14 award-winning poet Wendy Cope OBE will be interviewed by Jeremy Sallis at St Peter’s Church in Ely. Other highlights include ‘A Night at the Movies’ in Ely Cathedral on July 12 with the Festival Orchestra and community singers led by Chris Parsons.

Sing! Choirs are back by popular demand in the Bishop’s Garden for a picnic concert on July 7 and ‘A Night at the Opera’ with Ely Choral Society takes place on July 13. On June 29 Ely Consort perform John Rutter’s uplifting ‘Feel the Spirit’.

‘Folk in the Fens’ presents a series of concerts and events, including music, prose and poetry from anywhere and everywhere, featuring Jeremy Harmer, Steve Bingham and performers from across the region.

There are art previews with an Open Studios event at Wicken Fen on June 29 and 30.

Local artist Ted Coney will be artist in residence on June 15 and 16 from 11am to 4pm at Ely Courthouse working in a pop-up studio in the main courtroom on his latest family painting ‘Who Stole The Toothpaste?’.

All Ted’s paintings begin with a family story and this one is about how a fortune was lost over 100 years ago. His ancestor owned a pharmaceutical company but after he died all the money was squandered by two reckless nephews.

Ted uses the image of Toad to symbolise greed and it is reputed that E.H. Shephard used Ely Courtroom as the inspiration for the illustration of Toad’s downfall in ‘The Wind In The Willows’.

He also hopes to bring his 1931 Morris Minor along, as it stood in for Toad’s motor car in the painting.

Visitors can also enjoy work from famous British artist John Piper in a selling exhibition at the Babylon Gallery which runs from June 22 to July 14.

Back to top