Despite the global pandemic having ruined the normal plans for the Kenilworth Arts Festival, organisers have today announced the line up and program for this years virtual event.

Kenilworth Arts Festival have been working to bring you a 2020 version of their festival that champions artists and supports the community.

Kicking off with the 'Made in Kenilworth Artist Exhibition,' residents will also be able to access a series of online events showcasing the finest jazz, poetry and literature. This will be alongside a number of online workshops to inspire viewers to create - all from the comfort of their own home.

During lockdown Kenilworth Arts Festival have been working on a number of creative projects.

They have collaborated with Kenilworth School art students, local businesses and horticulturists on a 'green up' project to improve Talisman Square – many of you will have seen the results from this.

Working with the Kenilworth Covid-19 Support Group they also developed an "Activity Pack" to support more vulnerable residents isolating during lockdown to get creative.

Thanks to funding by Kenilworth Town Council, the festival will start with 'Art in the Car Park'. A socially-distanced opportunity to see and support work from talented Kenilworth Artists and celebrate the 'green up' of Talisman Square that they have overseen.

Pop by anytime on Saturday 19 September 10-4pm in Talisman Square.

The festival this year also brings a range of inspirational online events including films, talks and music.

â– Trish Clowes & Ross Stanley with Kenilworth Jazz Club presenting some newly composed music, plus renditions of favourite tunes, and music.

â– Evolutionary Times: Helen Pilcher & Adam Hart in discussion. Join

Helen & Adam they discuss the legacy created by evolutionary mischief-making and explore how humans are changing life on Earth.

â– Debbi Issett & John Gore: Films & Film Making. Join Debbi and John as they talk about the films that have influenced her and how she got started as a filmmaker.

â– Writer in Lockdown: Discussion between Alison Flood & Holly Watt on the impact of writing in lockdown.

â– The Life and films of Earl Cameron: Earl's 2015 In Conversation interview on stage at the BFI Southbank. It reveals a fascinating tale of a working actor, his genial wit and storytelling ability.

â– Pure Good and Right present: Matt Black, Liz Jolly, Aysar Ghassan and Andrea Mbarushimana. A series of short pieces of poetry filmed on location in Kenilworth.

â– Live and Local: Maria Ferguson – Live in your living room. Maria

Ferguson brings you crowd sourced poetry and online creative writing workshops

You can book tickets by following this link.

Alongside their events the Arts Festival have been working on a Creative Exchange, partnering with local and national artists to bring a selection of creative instructional videos.

This has included presentations from Sewing Bee's Mark Francis, award-winning puppet makers, Little Angel, theatre author Sam Langley-Swain, Coventry Cultural leaders Laura Nyahue and Cory

Barratt along with local businesses The Orangery and Onside.

These are all available for free on the website.

There are also further opportunities to join in from home.

Organisers have said "to support our festival week we invite you to display your work in your gardens and windows, providing us all with a culture walk around Kenilworth.

"For those of you online please tag and share us in your work #kenilwortharts"

For more information and to buy tickets follow this link to the Kenilworth Arts Festival website.

"A huge thanks to everyone involved in this year's festival, volunteers, sponsors, artists and crew. All events have been planned in line with Government guidance in relation to COVID"