Over the Summer something very special has been happening in Sandown. Supported by Arts Council England (ACE) Lottery Fund, the Regatta Hat Factory, a collaboration between Sandown Carnival and Boojum and Snark, saw hundreds of hat-makers descend on Sandown.
They brought their enthusiasm and flexed their creative juices to produce an eclectic range of hats to be exhibited during the Grant Hat Parade as part of Sandown Regatta.
Almost 300 hat-makers took part
Open for four weeks at Boojum&Snark on Sandown’s High Street, the Regatta Hat Factory encouraged visitors to drop in and make a hat, upcycle an old hat or help with the two co-created community hats – Gallus and Kraken. During that time, nearly 300 people visited Boojum or attended workshops to create hats.
As well as Boojum opening their doors to the general public to take part in the hat-making extravaganza, thanks to the ACE grant four artists were commissioned to create new hats for the parade (more on those below). This masterful range of hats has helped cement the revitalisation of the Regatta Hat Parade.
On Sunday 11th August, the Eastern Beach saw the climax to the weeks of community creativity at The Regatta Hat Factory, as the hats were paraded the Arena.
Mikich: We couldn’t have achieved this without the extraordinary vision and hard work of Paul Coueslant
Tracy Mikich was the Creative Producer for the project. She explained,
“The enthusiasm for regatta hat-making has been incredible and people of all ages and abilities really enjoyed the opportunity of being creative. And what a finale!
“The Grand Hat Parade was a spectacular celebration of community spirit and creativity.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without the extraordinary vision and hard work of Paul Coueslant. His dedication to revitalising Sandown through such imaginative projects has not only created lasting memories, but has also brought the community together in a truly inspiring and wonderfully eccentric way.”
Coueslant: Regatta hats have been the perfect vehicle to unleash Sandown’s talents, eccentricities and sheer sense of joy
Paul Coueslant, Chair of Sandown Carnival, said,
“It was a massive boost for Sandown to get a second round of funding from Arts Council England to revive the tradition of hat-wearing at the Regatta, with the results even more spectacular this year.
“Our Hat Factory on the High Street quickly became a hive of community creativity and fun. Young and old alike visited again and again to work on their designs, and the spontaneous cheering and applause which greeted the amazing headwear on show at the Regatta Hat Parade was a well deserved tribute to what everyone achieved.
“Big thanks go to all our Hat Factory artists who helped so many members of the community realise their creative potential, as well as designing a series of memorable hats themselves which will be seen on public display again later in the year at Quay Arts.
“Who’d have thought giving people the chance to be hatmakers could have such an impact on a place? It turns out that Regatta hats have been the perfect vehicle to unleash Sandown’s talents, eccentricities and sheer sense of joy.”
Read on for more detail of the four commissioned hats, supported by Arts Council England funding. A very special thank you to Simon Avery for the stunning photography.
Teresa Grimaldi’s The Kraken
Teresa Grimaldi, the talented artist behind the Kraken-inspired hat, believes in the power of creative community projects.
According to Teresa, the project welcomed individuals with diverse needs, some of whom were eager to get hands-on immediately, while others needed a space to be heard and gently encouraged. Over time, regular participants grew in confidence, embodying a true sense of community spirit.
Inspiration from the sea
When asked about her unique hat design, Teresa explained that it was inspired by a letter from David Shilling, which challenged this year’s hatmakers to draw inspiration from the sea. For Teresa, the mythical Kraken immediately came to mind, providing a fun and imaginative basis for her creation.
She also saw a local connection with the Island’s history, as Tennyson had written a poem about the Kraken, linking perfectly with the themes Shilling mentioned. Furthermore, Teresa emphasised the importance of sustainability in her design, choosing to upcycle discarded packaging materials. This approach not only brought her vision to life, but also raised awareness about reusing and reinventing with throwaway materials.
A deep connection to Sandown
Teresa’s love for Sandown runs deep. It’s where her mother grew up, where her parents met and married, and it holds a significant place in her heart. This personal connection adds a layer of meaning to her involvement in the Hat Regatta and fuels her passion for contributing to the community.
Being part of the Regatta Hatters for the second year has greatly impacted Teresa’s creative practice. As a freelance artist, she rarely gets opportunities to build on past successes, making this project a unique chance to help sustain and revive a beloved tradition.
Growing as an artist
Teresa relishes the challenge of developing new skills while sharing successful hatmaking methods with others. She finds joy in watching new creations come to life and learning something new with each project.
The parade was the highlight of the event for Teresa. It brought together all aspects of the project, culminating in a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. For her, the parade represented the ultimate showcase of everyone’s hard work and dedication, making it the most memorable moment of the entire experience.
Joel Lines’ Gallus – the Cock Headed Man
Joel Lines, the artist behind the intriguing Gallus – the Cock Headed Man – hat values the impact of creative community projects. He believes these projects are essential because they encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and explore their creativity.
Joel explains that such projects provide a relaxed environment where people can listen to music, have a chat, and express themselves creatively. For those who need guidance, he sees his role as helping them realize their full potential and bring their ideas and imagination to life. Whether working individually or as a group, participants are encouraged to collaborate and think creatively, making a positive impact on the town and spreading happiness.
Bringing Gallus to life
Joel drew inspiration for his hat design from the mysterious figure of ‘Gallus,’ the Cock Headed Man, based on a mosaic at Brading Roman Villa, an image that immediately transported him to a world of Roman history, mythology, and intrigue. Gallus, with his enigmatic presence and story within a mosaic, provided a thrilling challenge for Lines to recreate in three dimensions.
Using traditional methods, Joel aimed to bring Gallus to life as if he had stepped out of the mosaic. He began by constructing the cockerel head base from thick cardboard, which was then covered in papier-mâché with the help of community members. Joel added features and colors using recycled cardboard squares, magazine pages, and packaging paper, ensuring that the textures resembled the mosaic’s original design while also imagining Gallus as a shapeshifter with skin like lizard scales.
In creating Gallus, Joel focused on making the hat resemble a Roman helmet, complete with a “chicken mohawk” that cleverly connected to Roman armour. The community played an active role in this creative process, assisting in the detailed work required to complete Gallus’s costume. The collaborative effort resulted in a unique piece that Joel is proud of.
Sandown: A source of inspiration
For Joel, Sandown is more than just a location; it’s home. It’s a place where imagination, inspiration, expression, and freedom come together. The natural beauty of Sandown, with its land, sea, biosphere, and historical elements, has always been a source of artistic inspiration for him.
During the lockdown, Sandown provided Joel with a fresh perspective for his university projects, sparking new levels of artistic expression. He continues to find great opportunities within the Sandown community, particularly with the support of the team at Boojum and Snark and the Sandown Carnival.
Growth and highlights
Participating in the Regatta Hats 2.0 has significantly impacted Joel’s creative practice. He appreciated the chance to work with an existing character like Gallus, adding new layers to his creative process. Bringing Gallus to life for his debut at the Regatta was a fun and rewarding experience.
This year, Joel noticed that his work and guidance were more praised, and he felt a deeper connection with the participants who came to the workshops. Seeing people embrace their uniqueness and creativity brought him immense joy.
A particular highlight for Joel was placing Gallus’s eyes, a moment that truly made the character come to life. Additionally, using his creativity to design Gallus’s back was both interesting and fun, showcasing the dynamic and collaborative nature of this unique community project.
Keely Hunter’s butterfly-inspired hat
Keely Hunter, the talented artist behind a butterfly-inspired hat at the Sandown Bay Grand Hat Regatta, sees immense value in creative community projects. She believes these opportunities are especially vital in small local communities, like the Isle of Wight.
Keely points out that such projects play a crucial role in showing young people that creative careers are possible and diverse. By engaging with art and design through community initiatives, young residents can see firsthand the range of opportunities available in creative fields.
Drawing inspiration from nature
Keely’s hat design draws deeply from the natural beauty surrounding Sandown. She based her creation on the wildlife and plant life found in areas like Sandown Meadows Nature Reserve, Culver Downs, and the natural habitat around the old canoe lake.
The abundance of beautiful plant and insect species unique to these areas, such as the White Cuckoo flower and the Orange Tip Butterfly, inspired Hunter’s work. She meticulously recreated these elements within her piece, capturing the essence of Sandown’s natural environment.
A deep love for Sandown
For Keely, Sandown is more than just a place; it’s a treasure trove of memories. She fondly recalls bouncing on the old trampolines next to the beach as a child, a simple joy that remains a cherished memory.
Today, Keely continues to make new memories in Sandown, enjoying sunny lunches with her children. To her, Sandown has always been a town for families, a place where both old and new generations can find joy and create lasting memories.
Creative growth and collaboration
Working on this project has had a positive impact on Keely’s creative practice. She describes the experience as a pleasure, highlighting the collaborative spirit and support she received from the team behind the project.
Keely specifically praises Paul and Tracy, the organisers who go above and beyond to champion Island makers and artists. Their dedication to promoting local talent made the project a rewarding experience for Keely, showcasing the power of community support in fostering creativity.
Kate Phillips’ John Wilkes Hat
Kate Phillips, an artist who designed a hat based on the figure of John Wilkes for the Sandown Bay Grand Hat Regatta, believes in the transformative power of creative community projects. She sees these initiatives as a way to revitalise an area and motivate its people through active engagement.
Kate emphasises that projects like the Hat Regatta also make the history and memories of a place accessible and relatable. By drawing on local stories and characters, such projects connect the community with its past in a meaningful and dynamic way.
A hat inspired by history
Kate found her inspiration in John Wilkes, a fascinating and infamous character with a colorful life. After his tumultuous career, Wilkes retired to Sandown, seeking the tranquility it offered. In this quiet life, he indulged in one of his gentler passions—keeping birds, particularly pigeons.
However, as Wilkes himself humorously noted, he struggled to keep them; they continually escaped and flew away, never to return. This whimsical story inspired Kate to design her hat with pigeons placed outside the cage, flying around Wilkes’ beloved home, Villakin, capturing both his love for the birds and his inability to keep them contained.
The enduring allure of Sandown
Kate has a deep appreciation for Sandown, a town rich in history due to its natural geography. Over the years, Sandown has attracted both invading armies and tourists, along with many writers and thinkers who were drawn to its beauty and charm.
What Kate loves most is that Sandown’s history is still tangible today, even if it wears a faded cloak. The town’s stories and legacy are woven into its fabric, making it a place where the past feels close and alive.
Growing as an artist
Participating in the Sandown Bay Grand Hat Regatta has been a significant experience for Kate. She describes the commission as a marvelous opportunity, one that challenged her in multiple ways.
From making a proposal and working to a specific brief to delivering the work on schedule, each step of the project represented an important experience for her artistic growth. Kate found these challenges invaluable, contributing to her development as an artist and reinforcing her passion for creative projects that engage with the community.
Community engagement: Dementia Afternoon Tea Club
As well as the drop-in Regatta Hat Factory at Boojum and Snark, the team visited the Dementia Afternoon Tea Club in Bembridge.
Lucy Meadows, Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator, Right at Home Isle of Wight, said,
“Thanks so much for bringing the hat-making workshop to our Dementia Afternoon Tea Club, it was really nice to see our members getting creative and generally having a bit of silly fun!
“A big part of our tea club is to step out of day-to-day life for a couple of hours and be in a like-minded judgement-free space, and this was delivered perfectly through the workshop.
“We were also impressed with the use of sustainable seed papers.”
School engagement
Celebrity milliner David Shilling, who designed extravagant hats for his late mother Gertrude – the Mascot of Ascot – even gave the Sandown hat revival his enthusiastic backing
His support inspired Year 4 pupils at Broadlea Primary School in Lake to this year design hats using the theme of the sea.
The designer told the budding young hatters,
“I hope all you hat lovers, especially the first-timers, will make extraordinary, well thought out creations that are as lovely to wear as they are to behold.”
Paul Coueslant said,
“It’s fantastic that Broadlea Primary wanted to make hats with us for the second year running. Once again, their Year 4s threw themselves into our workshop with real enthusiasm.
“Giving this age group a chance to show off their creativity has always been one of our key aims.”
Sagger: Judging the Sandown Regatta Hat Parade was an absolute delight
It wouldn’t be a Regatta Parade without a panel of judges to select their favourites and award prizes to the hat-makers.
This year saw Dadina Sagger from Isle of Wight Film Fixers CIC, Rosie Wolfenden MBE the co-founder of jewellery brand, Tatty Devine, and Chairman of the Isle of Wight council, Karl Love agree to fill that role.
Dadina said,
“Sandown Carnival did a fantastic job inspiring the community with their free hat-making workshops at The Regatta Hat Factory at Boojum & Snark.
“Judging the Sandown Regatta Hat Parade was an absolute delight. The creativity on display was simply astounding.
“Choosing a winner was no easy feat, as every hat showcased a unique blend of skill and fun. A truly memorable community day out!”
Rosie added,
“I loved every minute of The Grand Hat Parade and rushed home to make hats!”
Those who took part
The project touched the lives of hundreds of people, not just those who enjoyed watching the parade, by those who created their masterpieces during the workshops.
Jacqui said,
“Lovely community environment that was great for all ages.”
Dayita added,
“I loved just switching off in a creative space and being free to create a fun hat as well as being part of something cool for the community.”
Janet enthused,
“Teresa was an excellent teacher. The making of hats was very relaxing and creative. It was altogether superb!”
Residents of St Helena said,
“We enjoyed making our hats and then taking them home.”
Victoria said,
“I was given guidance and encouragement to develop my artistic skills. It felt at really safe and creative space where everyone was really friendly.”
Gremlin enthused,
“Really enjoyed doing something creative using the watercolours. I was really pleased with my finished design and think it will make a great hat.”
Julie said,
“I loved the creativity and social contact and collaboration. Thank you!”
Estelle added,
“Absolutely loved it and I am not crafty. Lots of brilliant materials and such a relaxing friendly venue.”
Charlene and Harrison raved,
“So much fun and chilled out. It was relaxing and uplifting. Such lovely friendly people. We really enjoyed making our hats.”
Oliver said,
“An unusual activity and fun to try something new. Loved the use of seedpaper.”
Our thanks to Sandown Carnival and Arts Council England for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
