Newent artsFEST 2025: A Celebration of Creativity & Community
On October 18th, Newent will come alive with colour, creativity and community spirit as Canopy Creative Network brings its much-loved artsFEST to town. Centred around the theme of agriculture – regeneration and rebirth, the festival will honour Newent’s rich rural heritage while sparking new creative energy across all ages of Newent town communities.
View the festival programme HERE
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Canopy is not-for-profit arts organisation based in the Forest of Dean. With funding from Arts Council England, Forest of Dean Council, Gloucester County Council, local town and parish councils, they’ve been uniting communities through vibrant arts festivals, engaging art workshops, artist talks and https://canopynetwork.co.uk/7557-2/nature-inspired creative walks. Following the huge success of past events in towns like Coleford, West Dean & Cinderford and Blakeney, it’s now Newent’s turn to shine!
Newent artsFEST will be the culmination of weeks of inclusive, community-led creativity — designed to inspire curiosity, introduce new artforms, and showcase local talent. Driven by the belief that art should be for everyone, the festival offers a vibrant platform for community voices and art to be seen, heard and celebrated.
In the lead-up to the event, Canopy will be working with schools, local groups and community members of all ages and backgrounds, offering inclusive, engaging arts workshops. Artist Joanne Callaghan will be running Batik workshops with Picklenash Primary Schools to create flags for the parade. Meanwhile, Newent Community School will also be making batik flags whilst Gloucester College Art & Design students will create bold festival puppets to bring the streets alive during the parade. Other pre festival events include community art workshops at Shepperd House open to everyone, creative writing and lantern making sessions with Aimee Blease Bourne for LGBTQIA+ young people, an artist talk at The Secret Gallery and a Creative Walk around Newent Lake on October 13th where participants will be responding to nature through creative prompts followed by a monoprinting workshop with artist Nichola Goff. Book on these workshops via this website. If that’s not enough, there will also be a guided walk around Newent remembering Telstar music legend Joe Meek led by researcher & biographer Pete Rockford.
Newent artFEST begins at noon on October 18th with a joyful parade bursting with colour and imagination, led by Forest Thump’s drummers followed by live performances and drop-in art workshops across the town— all free and open to all ages. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy the harmonious voices of Newent Choral Society and Drybrook Male Voice Choir, foot-stomping shanties of Ships and Giggles, Wild Oats Morris dancing, Djabot drummers, the resonant sounds of the Newent Orchestra, storytelling by Darren Hoskins and the soulful sounds of Onika Venus – performances which reflect the diversity and richness of local talent.
FREE Drop in workshops will offer something for everyone — leather crafting with Bela Kielt; textile cordage using bindweed with Lizzie Godde; singing with Kirsty Abraham; autumn wreath-making with Penny Mail; painting with Von Feathers, pre-school art with Krysa Haslewood and Express Yopurself! Community Painting with artist Charlotte Keating.
There will also be art exhibitions of GCSE & A Levels students’ artwork and a photography archive showcase of Newent’s agricultural heritage. The Secret Gallery will be hosting an Artist Demo where artist Ru Goodchild will share their process and inspiration.
Newent artsFEST 2025 is more than a festival — it’s a free, uplifting and welcoming event designed to reignite a love for the arts and the town itself, inspiring connection across generations. Everyone is invited so come be part of the magic!
Full details, festival updates and schedule can be found here
Celebrate Regeneration & Renewal with us. Newent artsFEST
Date: Saturday 18th October from 12noon
Where: St Marys Church, Chamber 22, The Secret Gallery and other community venues.
Live performances, parade, workshops
Free entry
FREE Parade featuring local schools, musicians, morris dancers, performances, artists and more
Live performances at St Marys Church
Free Drop – In Art Workshops, 1-4pm sign up on the day.
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Event for all ages
Canopy Creative Network 