Speak Volumes!

Photo Highlights from 2024 (slideshow)

  • Two volunteers stand in front of a wall of artwork and smile with thumbs up.
    Student volunteers, Alex and Sim.
  • A large workshop table with young people creating characters using colourful card and paper.
    Paper puppets workshop
  • Michelle, a university student, holds her origami creation and smiles at the camera.
    Festival Director, Michelle S Turberfield
  • An over-the-shoulder view of people's hands folding paper to make origami.
    Origami workshop
  • A mother and daughter create paper origami flowers.
    Origami workshop
  • A shelf of zines and notebooks for sale.
    Zines and more at Speak Volumes 2024
  • A display rack full of artwork, including postcards, prints, and original paintings.
    A selection of original artwork and prints for sale at Speak Volumes 2024.
  • Festival directors, Freddie and Lucy, stand beside the Mayor of Worcester. They are surrounded by rainbow confetti.
    Opening Ceremony 2024 with The Mayor of Worcester
  • Two students paint letters onto a canvas.
    Director Freddie and Student Volunteer Chaz painting in the sunshine
  • A paper dragon puppet.
    A paper puppet close-up!
  • Speak Volumes Festival Posters lined up on a wall.
    Posters line the walls of Arches 27 and 28.
  • A photo of a student painting letters onto a canvas in the sun.
    A close up of some al-fresco creativity…
  • Three students painting a large canvas outdoors.
    Students painting in the sun.
  • Four students painting a large canvas in the sun.
    Students painting in the sun.
  • A photo of the door, the entrance to the art gallery.
    Festivalgoer’s update via Social Media
  • Audience members watching the opening ceremony in 2024.
    Opening Ceremony 2024
  • Performance Poet, Laura J Round, performing into the microphone.
    Performance poet, Laura J Round at the 2024 Speak Volumes Festival Slam
  • Seated audience watch a poetry performance by Jemima Hughes.
    Crowd enjoys poetry headliner, Jemima Hughes.
  • Directors Freddie and Lucy hold a large canvas and their hands in the air.
    Directors Freddie and Lucy holding the ‘Check it Out’ sign.
  • A large audience, seated inside the Arch venue.
    A large audience for the 2024 Opening Ceremony.
  • Tommy, a student, holds up a large canvas taht reads "Check it Out"
    Student Volunteer, Tommy, holding the ‘Check it Out’ sign.
  • A cocktail in someone's hand. In the background, a shelf of books and a potted plant.
    A cocktail at the pop-up bookshop.
  • three young women holding drinks.
    Festival Directors, Freddie, Lucy and Michelle celebrate with a drink.
  • DK, a poet and disability activist, reads poetry to an audience.
    Poet and activist DK – founder of AccessAbility Arts – performs a set at Speak Volumes 2024.
  • A custom volunteer name badge for Lizzie, with festival logo and colours.
    A close up of a student volunteer’s badge.

Feedback from 2024…

“Thank you endlessly for giving so many of us young artists a space to showcase our work!”

– Andie ‘jelliebabiesart’, Speak Volumes! Artist (2024)

“Thank you to the whole team for the amazing work – for creating a great event and giving artists such a great opportunity!”

– Emily Randall, (@letsgetarty) Speak Volumes! Artist (2024)

“[This] student-led arts festival encompassing literature, poetry, and visual arts […] has got a vital, vibrant and vivacious team leading it, with some amazing headliners to entertain.”

– Damon Lord, former Worcestershire Poet Laureate, on Speak Volumes! Festival 2024.

At a glance: the full festival lineup from our 2024 debut…