This year, Sidmouth Science Festival was delighted to welcome two local artists, Jed Falby and Irene Hirons, to take part in the programme, helping participants explore the connections between art and science.
While the festival has always embraced the arts alongside science, technology, engineering and mathematics, this year’s collaboration with the artists highlighted how creativity and imagination are vital parts of discovery and innovation.
Through quick sketches capturing the buzz of talks and demonstrations and interactive colouring activities for children, Jed and Irene offered new ways for people to see and experience science. Their work brought the events to life visually and made the festival even more engaging for families and younger audiences.
Festival Chair Dave Bramley said:
“Science and art share a common purpose, curiosity, observation and imagination. By including local artists this year, we’ve not only celebrated Sidmouth’s creative community but also made the festival more inclusive and accessible to a wider range of people.”
Jed Falby said: “It was such a joy for me, as an artist, to share the festival with scientists and children. The scientists share the satisfaction of their work while the children delight in the joyful discovery of their new world.”
Irene Hirons said: “I enjoyed the day, painting the Norman Lockyer Observatory, colouring with the children and attending a planetarium show.”
Involving artists supports the festival’s wider commitment to diversity and inclusion by offering different ways for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to engage with science and take part in the festival’s activities.
A selection of sketches from both artists along with photographs from the festival can be viewed on the Sidmouth Science Festival website, celebrating the creativity, community and collaboration that make the festival such a distinctive part of Sidmouth’s cultural life.