Seaside art festival cancels its 20-year celebration

An art festival on a coastal promenade has announced it had cancelled its 20th event due to not being able to cover its core costs, the organisers said.

Art on the Prom in Felixstowe, Suffolk, had been due to take place on 6 September and typically attracts up to 11,000 visitors.

In a statement on social media, co-ordinators Nichola Adams and Iona Hodgson said a number of factors had meant not enough income had been generated from pitch sales or sponsorship, while three grant applications had been unsuccessful.

"Thankfully we do have leads for potential sponsors for next year, plus ideas about fundraising for what would be the 20th active year of the event, if it can go ahead," they added.

The event sees the seaside promenade transformed into an open air gallery where artists showcase and sell their work.

The exhibition had been relaunched in 2022 after a three-year hiatus.

In April this year, organisers said they had been facing rising costs and had to increase participation fees this year — a decision they said they had not taken lightly.

Participation costs had started at £105 for a half pitch.

For the event, they said they had applied for three grants which were turned down, and despite additional support from East Suffolk Council and Felixstowe Town Council, they could not raise sufficient funds to go ahead.

Adams and Hodgson said they understood how disappointing the cancellation would be, but they hoped to return next year.

Refunds would be issued in the coming days for traders that had booked.

"We will continue to attempt to resurrect the event next year. Anyone wishing to support these efforts by way of bringing potential sponsors, or applying for grants etc, please do let us know," they said.

"We will sorely miss seeing you all. I know many of you will also miss the keen art buyers, the community and the sea breeze, but please understand we have had no choice but to cancel the event."

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