Saint Hill International Arts Festival 2017 Made a Big Impression

Saint Hill Arts Festival Opening Ceremony on 30th July 2017- l to r: Chris Dresser, Saint Hill Arts Festival President, Rhoda Zeffertt, East Grinstead dep. Town Mayor Cllr Rex Whittaker, Liz Ostermann from the L. Ron Hubbard Public Affairs Office

East Grinstead - Now in its 26th year, the Saint Hill International Arts Festival took place from Sunday 30th July to Sunday 6th August 2017 at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead.

This year, the Festival was hosted by Hollywood actor, comedian and master impressionist Jim Meskimen; his actress wife Tamra Meskimen; producer, writer, director, Cass Warner (granddaughter of Harry Warner, President and Founder of the Warner Bros. Studios), and a team of local artists.

The Festival was officially opened by East Grinstead dep. Town Mayor Cllr Rex Whittaker. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was immediately followed by a wonderful performance of Beethoven’s “Septet for Wind and Strings” and of Carl Nielsen’s “Serenata In Vano” by bassoonist Tom Hardy and The Blaze Ensemble.

Saint Hill Arts Festival Opening Classical Concert on 30th July 2017 - In the Great Hall, Saint Hill Manor

The Blaze Ensemble performing at the Saint Hill Arts Festival Opening Classical Concert on 30th July 2017 - In the Great Hall, Saint Hill Manor

On Monday night, Cass Warner introduced the UK premiere of her fascinating film, “The Brothers Warner” which she wrote, directed and produced. It is an intimate portrait of the four film pioneers who founded and ran Warner Brothers Studios for over 50 years. Cass also held an open forum the following morning where attendees met with her to ask her about her life in Hollywood. 

Throughout the week, Jim and Tamra Meskimen delivered a daily series of acting workshops, based on the techniques of The Acting Center, the renowned Los Angeles acting school which Tamra founded. The Acting Center school’s techniques have provided invaluable grounding for numerous actors now rising through the ranks of the movie industry. The classes were split each day between Acting and Improvisational Acting.

The Festival also included an art exhibition in the Great Hall Gallery; workshops on creativity, poetry and the spoken word, singing, selling your art, stage manners and drawing; the very popular Saint Hill Arts Festival Arts Quiz; and the grand finale concert in front of a very enthusiastic audience on Saturday 5th August, directed by Jo Stephens, which included performances by all the Festival attendees, giving them a chance to apply, for real, what they had learnt throughout the week, plus hilarious celebrity impressions by Jim Meskimen, an outstanding rendition of "Purple Rain" by X Factor USA and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Stacy Francis, local guitarist extraordinaire Dave Press, songs by singer songwriters Lemon & Paice, Shakespeare monologues by actor Tom Clark, and some hip-hop by Irish rapper Kristian Shortt.

The winning team of the Saint Hill Arts Festival Arts Quiz on 3rd August 2017 - In the Lower Hall, Saint Hill Manor l to r: Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen, Gary Byrne, Chris Dresser (team captain), Saint Hill Arts Festival President. Team included John Wood and Gemma Harris (not pictured)

All participants of the Saint Hill Arts Festival Arts Quiz on 3rd August 2017 - In the Lower Hall, Saint Hill Manor

During the concert, Chris Dresser, Saint Hill Arts Festival President, presented Jim and Tamra Meskimen with a Lifetime of Creativity Award for their enormous contribution to the arts throughout their careers. Previous winners include artist Carl-W. Röhrig and bassoonist Tom Hardy.

Sheila Gaiman said about this year's Festival: "We're extremely lucky to have such talented artists attend our Festival from all over the world every year, artists who understand the importance of art and who are so willing to help others with their art. We are very grateful to international artists Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen and Cass Warner and local artists Gill Bustamante, Mira Reichl, Jane Moore, Kevin Tyson, Evelyne Herbin and Brian King who are all so generously donating their time at this year's Festival. I would also especially like to thank the Festival Co-ordinators, Neil and Angie Lemon for all their hard work in making the week such a great success."

Jim Meskimen performing at the Grand Finale Concert of the Saint Hill Arts Festival on 5th August 2017 - In the Great Hall, Saint Hill Manor

Stacy Francis performing at the Grand Finale Concert of the Saint Hill Arts Festival on 5th August 2017 - In the Great Hall, Saint Hill Manor

Jim and Tamra Meskimen receiving the Lifetime of Creativity Award from Chris Dresser, Saint Hill Arts Festival President on 5th August 2017 - l to r: Chris Dresser, Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen

The Festival closed with the extremely popular Summertime Swing 2017 in aid of The Not Forgotten Association, hosted by the world’s favourite swing band, East Grinstead’s very own The Jive Aces, in the grounds of Saint Hill Manor.

The Saint Hill International Arts Festival was inspired by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, who strongly encouraged cultural revitalization through the arts.

About Saint Hill Manor
Saint Hill Manor, the former home of L. Ron Hubbard and host of the annual Saint Hill International Arts Festival, located just outside East Grinstead, is a fine 18th-century sandstone building. Concerts, plays, conferences and other events regularly take place here and it is also one of the few historical attractions to remain open to the public throughout the year. Saint Hill Manor is also the headquarters of the Church of Scientology in the UK. Saint Hill Manor, Saint Hill Green, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4JY www.arts-festival.org

For more information, please contact John Wood on +44 (0)7771 520001 or jw@worldwidepr.net

Hollywood Celebrities Join East Grinstead's International Saint Hill Arts Festival in its 25th Year

A wide range of exciting workshops, masterclasses, concerts and more are in store for those attending this year's Arts Festival, hosted by a star-studded line up of artists including Hollywood Actresses Judy Norton and Lee Purcell

East Grinstead, 20 July 2016 - The 25th annual Saint Hill International Arts Festival takes place from 31 July to 7 August 2016 at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead and both local and international artists, including internationally renowned Hollywood actresses Judy Norton and Lee Purcell, will be taking part.

This year, proceedings begin with an opening ceremony on the terrace of Saint Hill Manor at 3pm on Sunday 31st July, immediately followed by a Classical Concert in the Great Hall by Bassoonist Tom Hardy and the 25-piece Blaze Ensemble, who will be performing pieces by Elgar and Mozart.

During the opening concert, Sheila Gaiman, the Festival's Executive Producer, will continue her tradition of presenting one of the artists at the Festival with a Lifetime of Creativity Award. Previous winners include artist Carl-W. Röhrig and bassoonist Tom Hardy.

The rest of the week is packed to the brim with artistic events and activities of all sorts, including: workshops on Music & Song by Grammy-award winner Robin Hogarth; the Basics of Magic by Hollywood Magician Stan Gerson; Acting Drama by Emmy-nominated Hollywood actress Lee Purcell; Scottish Dancing by Highland Dance Specialist Tara Gibson; Rehabilitating Your Drawing by Professional Textile Designer Kirsteen Lyons; Art & Purposes by Bassoonist Tom Hardy; Art History by local Art Historian Susanne Lawrence; How to Sell your Art Online by local artist Gill Bustamante; Song Performance by internationally renowned Judy Norton; Screenplay Writing by award-winning filmmaker Chris Dresser; and Poetry by Published Poet Steve Langley.

The week also includes movies, an improv show, an arts quiz, a cooking masterclass workshop and competition by a Gordon Ramsay-trained chef, the much-loved Art Garden where artists can be seen creating their craft, a children's drawing workshop, face painting for children, acoustic music and renditions from international singer Judy Bachar.

The Festival ends on Sunday 7th August with the magnificent Summertime Swing concert hosted by East Grinstead's very own The Jive Aces, in the grounds of Saint Hill Manor.

Sheila Gaiman said about this year's Festival: "We are extremely lucky to have so many highly talented and accomplished artists attend the Festival in our 25th anniversary year. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the best and to explore our creativity with them."

The Saint Hill International Arts Festival was inspired by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard who strongly encouraged cultural revitalisation through the arts. The purpose of the festival is to inspire artists into greater productivity, as well as to help them unlock their ability to earn a living from their art.

About Judy Norton

A diverse performer, Judy’s talents have taken her from stage to screen, from drama to comedy to musical theatre to the recording studio. She has worked in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes as a writer and director. As a singer, she has delighted audiences from North America to Europe, Iceland to Malaysia.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Judy began acting on stage and television from the age of 6. After early work on such TV shows as OZZIE & HARRIET, THE TAMMY GRIMES SHOW and FELONY SQUAD, in 1971, she landed the role of Mary Ellen in the TV movie THE HOMECOMING. This highly successful Christmas special served as the pilot for THE WALTONS TV series and launched Judy to international fame for her role as Mary Ellen. The Waltons, ran for 9 years, garnering numerous Emmy, Golden Globe and People’s Choice awards.

About Lee Purcell

Lee is the recipient of two Primetime Emmy nominations, her first being for LONG ROAD HOME starring opposite Mark Harmon, the second for SECRET SINS OF THE FATHERS starring opposite Beau Bridges.

This acclaimed actress has numerous film, television and stage credits, including her role as Louise St. Laurent on the TV series “DUE SOUTH”, and her generation-defining performance as the sultry step-mom in the iconic film “VALLEY GIRL” with Nicholas Cage. Fans around the world frequently reach out to her for her role as "Peggy" in the cult favourite film BIG WEDNESDAY. Lee has also starred opposite many other Hollywood’s popular leading men, and has the distinction of starring opposite two of Hollywood dynastic father-son duos, Michael Douglas and Kirk Douglas and Beau Bridges and Lloyd Bridges.

As a young girl, Lee’s film career began when she was personally selected and mentored by film icon Steve McQueen to star in McQueen’s Solar Productions’ film “ADAM AT 6 A.M.” opposite Michael Douglas. She will always be grateful to McQueen for his mentoring her and cherishes the time spent with him.

Both Judy Norton and Lee Purcell will be available for press interviews from 30th July to 8th August. Contact John Wood on +44 (0)7771 520001 or johnalexwood@gmail.com to arrange an interview.

About Saint Hill Manor

Saint Hill Manor, the former home of L. Ron Hubbard and host of the annual Saint Hill International Arts Festival, located just outside East Grinstead, is a fine 18th century sandstone building. Concerts, plays, conferences and other events regularly take place here and it is also one of the few historical attractions to remain open to the public throughout the year. Saint Hill Manor is also the head quarters of the Church of Scientology in the UK.

Address: Saint Hill Manor, Saint Hill Green, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4JY

General information: www.arts-festival.org

Ticket information and prices: http://www.arts-festival.org/booking.htm

Festival Organisers: Adrian Pownall on +44 (0)7551 242991 or Angie Lemon on +44 (0)7500 253 051 or comm@arts-festival.org

Media Enquiries: John Wood on +44 (0)7771 520001 or johnalexwood@gmail.com

Saint Hill International Arts Festival 2015: Visitors enjoy 7-day celebration of music and the arts

East Grinstead Courier - 26th August 2015

http://www.eastgrinsteadcourier.co.uk/saint-hill-festival-holds-outdoor-grand-finale/story-27674929-detail/story.html

Saint Hill International Arts Festival 2013, now in its 22nd Year, was a Resounding Success

The Blaze Ensemble of London, conducted by Andrew Skirrow, performing "Serenade in A" by Brahms. Photo by Nitsan Simantov.

Artists enjoyed a packed weekend learning about artistic integrity, having fun at a masked ball, watching Indie films in a film festival and attending a classical concert. 

East Grinstead - 16 August 2013: Saint Hill Manor, once again, played host to the annual Saint Hill International Arts Festival (arts-festival.org) - now it its 22nd consecutive year - which took place last weekend. 

Artists came from the UK, Russia, South Africa, USA, Austria and Germany to attend this year's festival whose purpose is to inspire artists into greater productivity, as well as to help artists unlock their ability to earn a living from their art. The Saint Hill International Arts Festival was inspired by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard who strongly encouraged cultural revitalisation through the arts. 

The Festival kicked off this year with a talk by East Grinstead's very own Ian Clarkson, trumpeter and vocalist of jump jive band, The Jive Aces, entitled "Keeping your Artistic Integrity" on Saturday afternoon. That night, attendees were treated to a glamorous Masked Ball.

Sunday morning saw the Saint Hill International Film Festival take place in the Great Hall of Saint Hill Castle, organised by actress Katy Newell (Dream Team, EastEnders). To celebrate Indie film making and to showcase upcoming talent as well as more established names, 20 short films were shown, including: 

• "Intercom" co-written by Aidan Lean, starring Jenny Agutter 
• "Choices" written by and starring East Grinstead-based Petroula Kaneti-Dimmer 

The film festival was also attended by actors Roxane Hayward, Orna Klement and East Grinstead child actor Alex Norman (Brodsky Books, Diamond Jubilee Tesco TV commercial) and by the multi-award-winning documentary maker Chris Dresser. 

The grand finale of the weekend was a classical concert by Blaze Ensemble of London, conducted by Andrew Skirrow, performing pieces by Mozart, Wagner, Bach and Brahms. The concert drew an audience of around 200 people, some of whom had travelled from as far away as Redbridge, Pinner and Medway to be there. Several Town Mayors attended including the Mayor of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Dr Ronen Basu who tweeted the following about the evening: 

"We had a very pleasant enjoyable evening with good music and company and were made to feel very welcome. Thank you!" 

Just before the interval of the concert, Sheila Gaiman, Executive Producer of the festival, presented the Lifetime of Creativity Award to Austrian artist Hannes Margreiter. In his speech of thanks, he credited a course that he studied many years ago by philosopher L. Ron Hubbard on communication for helping him to get his career started as an artist. 

The winner of the Lifetime of Creativity Award, artist Hannes Margreiter, with Sheila Gaiman, Arts Festival Executive Producer.  Photo by Nitsan Simantov. 

Hannes is most well known as a postage stamp designer who designs the stamps for Austria. Additionally, he designed a stamp for Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was Governor of California, as well as for the country of Germany. 

Sheila Gaiman, the festival's executive producer, said: 

"I'm very proud that East Grinstead does have its own international arts festival, now in its 22nd year, and hope that one day, it will be as well known as the Edinburgh Festival." 

About Saint Hill Manor 

Saint Hill Manor, located just outside East Grinstead, is a fine 18th century sandstone building. Concerts, plays, conferences and other events regularly take place here and it is also one of the few historical attractions to remain open to the public throughout the year. Saint Hill Manor is also the head office for the Church of Scientology, UK. 

For more information, please contact: 

Liz Ostermann 
Saint Hill Manor 
sainthillmanor.org.uk
01342 326711