The 24th Annual Saint Hill International Arts Festival 2015 - A Great Success!

The annual Classical Concert was performed this year, for the first time, outdoors in the grounds of Saint Hill Manor under a beautiful old Cedar tree.

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East Grinstead - From 2nd to 9th August 2015, Saint Hill Manor was host to a wide range of artists from many countries around the world during this year's Saint Hill International Arts Festival.

The week consisted of performances, an Arts Quiz and many different workshops on subjects including creativity by South African documentary maker Chris Dresser, film-making by local videographer Mark Gibson, writing by award-winning author Roger Ellory, drawing by local artist Jane Moore and how to make a living as an artist from a business management point of view by local businessman Tom Shuster.

Film-making by Mark Gibson. Photo: Jane Billing

RJ Ellory's talk on writing for a living. Photo: Vicky Ellory

Local artist Jane Moore. Photo: Jane Billing

Tom Shuster's talk on how to make a living as an artist. Photo: Jane Billing

Mike Ricketts is quizmaster for the Arts Quiz. Photo: John Wood

The Art Garden, which took place on Saturday 8th August, has become a Saint Hill Arts Festival favourite even though it is only its 2nd year running! The Art Garden was the invention of Neil Lemon and is coordinated by Angie Lemon. It had the highest number of artists participating in one day during the festival and this year, it included 25 artists from Mexico, Australia, Venezuela, Hungary, Holland and many local artists and painters. Many children enjoyed the facepainting and painting activities with Katy Newell while musicians entertained everyone all day long, and the Art Garden was attended by around 150 people.

Hungarian painter Judit Szabo with her paintings and those of Magdolna Szabo also. Photo: Angie Lemon

The ever-popular Art Garden. Photo: Jane Billing

The grand finale of the festival on Sunday 9th August was a performance of Schubert's Octet in F Major by The Blaze Ensemble of London. Since the weather on the day was so glorious, it was decided to hold the concert in the grounds beneath one of the magnificent Blue Cedar trees which made for a beautiful setting. The concert was well attended and guests included local dignitaries.

The Blaze Ensemble of London performing under the Cedar tree. Photo: Tabitha Hardy

Each year, Sheila Gaiman, the festival's Executive Producer, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to an artist of great merit. This year, it was presented to bassoonist and director of The Blaze Ensemble of London, Tom Hardy. Tom has played with many of the UK's leading orchestras and ensembles including the English Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Welsh National Opera.

Tom Hardy receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from Sheila Gaiman. Photo: Jane Billing

"Thank you to everyone who attended this year's festival. Art, whichever form it might take, is inherent in all of us; it reaches and simulates our deepest emotions. L. Ron Hubbard, himself an exceptional artist in many fields, wrote in his book Science of Survival: "The elevation of a culture can be measured directly by the numbers of its people working in the field of aesthetics." We look forward to welcoming you to next year's festival, our 25th, which promises to be a very special quarter-of-a-century International celebration," said Sheila Gaiman.

About the Saint Hill International Arts Festival

The Saint Hill International Arts Festival was inspired by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard who stressed the importance of the role that art plays in society and he strongly encouraged artistic creativity in all its forms. The purpose of the Festival is to inspire artists into greater productivity. Saint Hill Manor was L. Ron Hubbard's family home from 1959-1967.

Contact details:

Festival management:
comm@arts-festival.org
www.arts-festival.org

Media relations:
John Wood
jw@worldwidepr.net
+44 777 152 0001