Wayne Hemingway and Sewing Bee quarterfinalist amongst speakers at upcoming symposia in Walsall

The symposia, part of Walsall MakerFest Fringe will provide opportunities for creative professionals, artists and makers to connect, share knowledge and explore ideas. 

The weekend builds on the inaugural Walsall MakerFest which took place in the town centre in September 2024 and saw 50,000 people enjoy live music, performances, storytelling, workshops and more, celebrating creativity across the borough and region.

The Photography Symposium on Saturday 12 April will explore how photography captures the past while shaping the present, and the role of digital technology in transforming photographic practices. Speakers include Dr Pogus Caesar, Rachell Smith, Tina Eisen with a keynote from Garry Hunter. The day will be hosted by Walsall-based photographer Andy Kruczek.

The Makers Symposium on Sunday 13 April will explore how makers balance heritage techniques with contemporary innovation. It will feature Anne Scrimshaw, Oliver Wellings and Lauren Tedstone, with a keynote from Red or Dead founder Wayne Hemingway and hosted by Dr Steve Harding.

Both events take place from 12-4pm and will include light refreshments.

A weekend pass costs £20 (£15 concs.)

Single day tickets costs £12 (£7.50 concs.)

Tickets can be purchased by visiting: Eventbrite.

ENDS.

Speaker biographies:

Dr Pogus Caesar 

A photographer, curator, film maker and conceptual artist utilising multiple media. He was born in St Kitts, West Indies, and grew up in Birmingham, England. Caesar began his career as a pointillist painter, later photographing diverse communities worldwide. He has documented prominent figures and historical events such as the Handsworth Riots in 1985, a significant period of social unrest. He often reworks 35mm negatives into new forms, challenging the notion of religion, sex, history and identity from a Black British perspective.

Tina Eisen

An editorial and commercial beauty and fashion photographer based in London, UK. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Tina has worked with clients such as MaxFactor, Sephora, Ciate, Superdrug, Harvey Nichols, ASOS, Marks & Spencer, ITV, Amazon, Barbour and numerous other well-known global brands and magazines. Tina’s Beauty Photography workshops in Europe and North America, her publications and online beauty photography tutorials are popular amongst a global audience. Tina is a regular speaker and educator for photography equipment and software brands such as Canon, Profoto and Capture One and is regularly showcasing her craft at national and international tradeshows.

Dr Steve Harding

Steve has successfully developed and led innovative projects in Europe for over 20 years at the interface between universities, businesses and local eco-systems. His recent expertise as Director of the Institute for Creative Innovation (2015-19) has been in developing STEAMhouse in Birmingham City University (BCU) where he has an ongoing role. Steve has a doctorate from the University of Nottingham (2002) which focused on how SME networks support innovation.

Wayne Hemmingway MBE

Wayne Hemingway is a British designer known for socially impactful, community-focused projects through HemingwayDesign, the multi-disciplinary business he co-founded with his wife, Gerardine Hemingway MBE.

Wayne first made his mark in the 1980s, selling second-hand clothes before launching Red or Dead, the award-winning global fashion brand. In 2023, he co-founded Charity Super.Mkt, transforming perceptions of pre-loved fashion and raising millions for charity.

A sought-after speaker on retail, regeneration, and purposeful business, Wayne continues to champion people-first design, shaping places, brands and experiences that positively impact communities.

Garry Hunter FRGS

Founder of Fitzrovia Noir Arts Collective and Tommy Flowers Foundation. The son of a coal miner and a chemist, Garry had a 30-year career as a multi-award winning photographer producing conceptual imagery with blue chip companies from Apple to Zeneca, before moving into more socially responsible assignments with NESTA, the NHS and the UN.

Andy Kruczek

An accomplished photographer based in the UK. Published worldwide and with 40+ years of professional photographic experience, Andy provides photographic services to the Fashion, Beauty, and Hair sectors, shooting editorial and advertising images for a roster of internationally known clients.

Anne Scrimshaw

Engineer, Artist, Ex-International Hovercraft Racing driver, Scrapheap Challenge star, avid collector of knowledge, and a maker of weird and wonderful things.

She currently runs the Fab Lab at Sandwell College. A Fab Lab is a place where people come and make almost anything. It has been variously compared to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, and Q’s workshop from James Bond, and for anyone into making, it is a mind-blowing experience.

Rachell Smith 

A British photographer, director, publisher, and motivational speaker, best known for her down-to-earth approach and iconic portraits that capture the essence of her subjects. With a career spanning over a decade, her work has graced the pages of publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Glamour, showcasing talent such as Twiggy Lawson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Austin Butler, and Dame Emma Thompson. Her celebrated portrait of Twiggy has been accepted into The National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection, solidifying her place in British photographic history.

Lauren Tedstone

A quarterfinalist from Series 9 of The Great British Sewing Bee and a highly regarded figure in the sewing community. Her passion for sewing began in late 2019 when she taught herself to sew using a machine gifted to her by her grandmother. Since then, she has built a reputation for creating high-quality garments and curating a handmade wardrobe with a strong focus on craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless fashion.

Oliver Wellings 

Oliver Wellings is a Walsall-based designer and sculptor with a passion for the natural world and a commitment to sustainability. Using offcuts of stainless steel from his father’s engineering company in Birchills, he transforms industrial remnants into striking wildlife sculptures and bespoke lifestyle pieces. His process blends digital design with skilled craftsmanship, allowing him to create intricate, environmentally conscious works that celebrate both nature and innovation. 

By repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste, his practice embodies an ethos of sustainability, ensuring that each piece carries a story of renewal and responsible creativity.

Notes to editors

Walsall MakerFest Fringe is delivered by Walsall Council in partnership with local non-profit Urban Hax CIC, The New Art Gallery Walsall and Walsall Cultural Compact and is supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s Cultural Development Fund - Round Three through Arts Council England.

Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5billion programme of transformation, having secured considerable investment and grant funding. Under Walsall Town Deal, Walsall Council is in the process of developing the Guildhall into a Creative industries enterprise centre in partnership with Urban Hax CIC.

Walsall MakerFest aims to spark the town’s creativity and build momentum for the opening of the new Creative Industries Enterprise Centre which will provide space and facilities for a number of creative businesses and makers.

We are Walsall 2040 is the Council’s long-term plan to transform Walsall to be the most improved borough in the region, a vibrant place where people are proud to live and residents in all neighbourhoods have the same life chances.

Read more about the We are Walsall 2040 plan on the Council’s website: We are Walsall 2040 | Walsall Council