TriggerBliss (our compere for the evening) fuses spoken word with other artforms to inspire healing, conscious thought, and authentic expression. They have experience in coordinating productions that fuse written and spoken word with music and movement and have co-organised 2 processions for Southend’s Halloween Parade with Elevator Arts. TriggerBliss delivers workshops with diverse groups of the community that include creative writing and exploring thought and emotion through journaling.

Sudbury Arts Centre is dedicated to providing enriching cultural and social experiences in the heart of Sudbury, Suffolk. Alli Burke has worked in operational management for twenty years, the last six of which have been developing Sudbury Arts Centre, as a key project team member for the £2.5M project to repair and regenerate this former church of St Peter’s. She has broad experience in event management, community engagement and strategic partnership building. Alli is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Clore Social Leadership alumni. For her three-minute mini-talk, Alli will bring together who meet up, run events and workshops at Sudbury Arts Centre, to celebrate the collective voice of this creative space. sudburyartscentre.com

Bradley Charles is a portrait artist, wig stylist and drag performer who grew up in Sudbury. Often seen at the Dragonfly Lounge in Colchester, Sirena Hart describes herself as the Love child of Poseidon & Aphrodite; a MermaidSuperheroGoddess. Sirena also runs ‘Boozy Brushes’ at Firstsite, a creative evening combining drag and portraiture that invites everyone to express their own artistic flair with confidence, comfort and authenticity, and most importantly the freedom to do so unapologetically.

linktr.ee/sirena.hart.x
instagram.com/sirena.hart_x

Dr Yu-Lun Eve Lin is a multidisciplinary maker and educator working across digital fashion, illustration, ephemera, embroidery, accessories, and fashion design. Trained in Fashion Womenswear at Central Saint Martins and holding a PhD in Arts and Humanities from the Royal College of Art, they create story-led artefacts where material, line, and craft converge. A Taiwan NewGen Fashion Designer and Red Dot Design Award recipient, Eve has written, taught, and consulted internationally across fashion practice and education, and advocates for inclusive, decolonial approaches to creative learning.
https://www.thisisevelin.com

Gulshan Kayembe, Suffolk High Sheriff 2025-2026, was born in Kashmir, of Indian heritage. She has considerable experience in education and was an Ofsted lead inspector for almost 30 years. Her expertise includes curriculum, safeguarding, governance and equalities, and she has also supported education in hospital schools, mental health institutions and education for young people in prisons. She actively provides training on EDI for schools, local government, health and the voluntary sector, and was a member of the Suffolk Police Authority (1999 to 2012) which she chaired for five years; a non-executive director on her regional (Ipswich and East Suffolk) health board, and she currently chairs Ipswich Community Media, is a Patron of the Dora Love Prize and the independent chair of the Suffolk Sexual Violence Action Group. In all these roles, she actively promoted equalities and inclusion. In 2025 she was appointed Suffolk High Sheriff by HM King Charles III, the first woman of colour to hold this one-year post in Suffolk. Her focus during the year has been on Equity through Prevention i.e. to provide early support so families, YP and communities can thrive.

Kabir Hussain is a master founder based in Kings Lynn  who has over 15 years of experience casting bronze sculptures for his own work as well as for other leading contemporary artists. He was born in Pakistan in 1960. He studied at the Leeds College of Art (1979-80), South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education, Cardiff (1980-83), and Chelsea School of Art (1983-84). He has exhibited in Britain and abroad since 1984. He runs Walnut Works with his wife Vicky, a community-focused bronze casting workshop, offering educational programs and artist residencies. It aims to engage local communities in the art of bronze casting through hands-on workshops and collaborative projects.

Pictured above (from top to bottom): Thoum, bronze, 2005; Adult Beet , unique bronze, 2017; Corr, bronze, 2005

In her own words…

What people like and admire about me: I am kind, funny, creative and always positive. I have a unique sense of dress and will always make time for people when able. I love to make connections with people and although I have menopause brain fog I will retain things that are important to you like your pets, likes and interests and people say this is valued.

What is important to me: Tell me if I do anything which makes you uncomfortable, and tell me your boundaries, I rely on people to help keep my moral compass in the right direction.

Working with others is important to me, I love the buzz of being in a team and sharing outcomes and goals and hopefully the successes, but I also recognise being in a team helps when things are not a success as I do sometimes need that support in reflecting.

I identify as queer and pansexual and I have been with my husband for over 24 years, He is a tattooist so this is why I am colourful in every way! I have 5 children (1 sadly died) and a grandson Fred. Family is my anchor but family to me is not just blood relations family is also those you choose and my friendship circle is my family too. I am a cabaret and burlesque performer and also run my own vintage and antiques business who doesn’t love a side hustle or two, or three. I want everyone in life to live their best life, being respected, treated with dignity and being valued at what ever time in life’s journey they are. My dream is for communities that are cooperative and support each other and all those in their community, I hate people being excluded.

Holding a BA in Fine Art and an MA in Gender and Sexuality, Rebekah Wallace investigates themes of trauma, power, and resilience. Her recent body of work is the culmination of a deeply personal journey with the spirit of the Boudica. As a First Nations artist living in Colchester, the Iceni Queen’s story became an unexpected echo of her own ancestral memory. Boudica’s stand against colonial erosion on this very land resonated with a profound familiarity; a new series of artwork emerged from that connection, exploring themes of defiance and rebellion, inviting us to confront our own struggles with oppression and connecting Boudica’s ancient fire to the contemporary embers of resilience in us all.

Tom Hobden is a multidisciplinary artist with over 24 years’ experience across movement, film and participatory practice. Beginning in performance and choreography, he has built a career as a creative director, filmmaker and educator, collaborating with organisations including the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells, Dance East and Studio Wayne McGregor. In 2024, he founded Tom Hobden Studio, an independent Suffolk-based hub creating immersive theatre, film and socially conscious projects that centre human experience, empathy and meaningful connection. www.tomhobden.co.uk

Simon Keep is a musician, educator, researcher and sound designer, Founder of CLIP. CLIP is an award-winning music social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through innovative, hands-on musical experiences. By fostering creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration, CLIP offers unique opportunities for people of all backgrounds to explore sound, take creative risks, and develop new skills. From cutting-edge projects like building the Photon Smasher, a microphone for listening light, to performing in unconventional spaces, CLIP helps participants unlock their potential and discover the joy of music-making. Recognised with accolades such as ‘Sound of the Year 2022’ and ‘Maker Music Festival 2022’, CLIP is committed to inspiring personal growth and building creative, connected communities through the power of music. www.clipsoundandmusic.uk