‘Stories synchronise the minds, songs synchronise the hearts.’ – Tanya Batt
The 2024 Story Arts Festival Ipswich was a celebration of storytelling in all its forms, and the Adult’s Festival was no exception. Over two days, attendees were treated to a diverse range of sessions, panels, and performances that left everyone inspired, entertained, and with plenty to reflect on.
Day 1: A Day of Stories, Laughter, and Creative Insights
Katrina Nannestad kicked off the adults weekend by sharing the stories that inspired her latest historical novel, Silver Linings. Her session was a heartfelt reminder to look into family histories for writing inspiration, encouraging us to uncover the narratives that lie within our own backgrounds.
Following Katrina’s talk, a panel discussion delved into the significance of historical fiction in our increasingly technological world. The panel, featuring Katrina Nannestad, Mark Greenwood, and Louise Park, offered a compelling dialogue on the role of history in contemporary storytelling and how it can connect us to our past while also making sense of the present.
Emotions ran high during Joel McKerrow’s session on deep listening, where his powerful slam poetry urged us to open ourselves up to the world. He challenged us to truly listen—to hear with our ears and see with our eyes—to become better writers and more empathetic humans.
The humour panel, featuring Mick Elliot, George Ivanoff, Joel McKerrow, and Tanya Batt, provided a light-hearted yet insightful exploration of how to incorporate humour into writing. Their lively discussion left everyone with a renewed appreciation for the power of humour in storytelling.
Later, illustrator Sarah Davis captivated the audience with a demonstration of her current techniques, a unique blend of traditional and digital methods. Watching her work was a masterclass in the evolving nature of illustration in today’s world.
Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac then took us on a journey through the stories and travels that inspire their work. Frané’s live illustration in gouache was a highlight, showcasing her artistic skill and the vibrant energy her pictures bring to their stories.
As the sunlight faded, Mick Elliot tackled the important topic of keeping boys engaged in reading in an era dominated by digital gaming. His insights were practical and thought-provoking to encourage a love of reading among young boys.
The formal proceedings of the day concluded with Peter Cheong sharing his journey to publication as an author/illustrator, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of bringing a book to life.
The evening’s festivities continued at the Story Arts Festival dinner, where excitement filled the air. Under the marquee, attendees mingled and dined as emcee Josie Montano orchestrated an evening of entertainment. Presenters delighted the crowd with a range of performances—from drawing and reciting Shakespeare to dancing and reminiscing about festivals past. The night’s highlight was an astonishing display of hypnosis by Louise Park, whose powers left the audience in awe. The evening concluded with a heartfelt thank you to Jenny Stubbs, led by the IDTL network, for her 30 years of dedication to directing the Ipswich Story Arts Festival. As she passed the baton to the committee, the room swelled with appreciation for her tireless work.
Day 2: Movement, Surprise, and the Power of Storytelling
The second day began with a slow breakfast, where attendees relived the excitement of the previous night. The day’s program was full of movement and surprise, starting with a deeply moving session by Tanya Batt and Peter Forster on how storytelling builds relationships and creates resilience in an ever-changing world.
Next, Louise Park presented on the art of weaving storytelling with facts to create compelling historical narrative nonfiction. Her session offered valuable insights into how to balance truth and creativity in writing. Trevor Fourmile then took the festival outdoors, sharing traditional stories that demonstrated the power of cultural storytelling. His session was a beautiful reminder of the richness and depth that cultural narratives bring to our lives. George Ivanoff shared his personal journey as a reluctant reader and how his experiences inform the stories he writes today.
The festival then offered a rare glimpse inside the personal sketchbooks of illustrators Peter Cheong, Sarah Davis, and Tony Flowers. These sketchbooks, as unique as their owners, provided an intimate look at the creative process behind the art. Tony Flowers went on to demonstrate his incredible formulas for 3D drawing techniques, which will feature in his upcoming graphic novel. His session was a fascinating peek into the future of graphic storytelling.
The program concluded with Des Crump and Vicki Bennet discussing their collaborative project, Charlie’s War. Their conversation highlighted the challenges and rewards of working together to bring a story to life.
The 2024 Story Arts Festival Ipswich was a resounding success, a week-long celebration of children’s and adults’ literature made possible by the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the Ipswich District Teacher Librarian Network. As the festival came to a close, everyone left with new ideas, stories, and memories to carry forward until the next celebration of the written word.