Joe Smith and Millie Slack talk the John Hughes Art Festival at Jesus College

8 Feb

The John Hughes Art Festival (JHAF) is happening this weekend at Jesus College. The annual event continues a legacy that started in 2015 as a commemoration of John Hughes, the Jesus Dean of Chapel and Chaplain who died tragically in 2014.

Joe Smith and Millie Slack, this year’s festival directors, talk about the celebration of the late Chaplains’ influence in the college. “He was a big patron of the arts at Jesus and had galleries in the chapel with college art work. So JHAF was set up by students as a way of memorialising him and keeping that spirit alive …Whilst it is a memorial festival, it’s not sombre.” The event is “a celebration of the college and the art, bringing the community together”.

Talking about the inspiration behind this years’ theme ‘Retro Future’, Joe explains: “We wanted to call it Future Nostalgic, but that was a Dua Lipa album … I guess similar creative minds!” He continues, “I think it’s just very fun, that’s the main thing. It’s not something that takes itself too seriously. Retro Future is camp and bright, you can have fun - you don't have to sit and stare at a wall.”

The gallery launch is this Friday (10/02) at 7pm, filled with a “spectacular collection by local Cambridge artists”. Expect the opening night to be accompanied by a mix of exciting entertainment from 7.30 until 11.00 in Jesus College Bar: “Acoustic stuff, DJs, live performances, it’s gonna be a real party.” They invite visitors to make the most of the “drinks available to buy and wander around” (for the lucky first few attendees, free drinks are promised). “We have our own JHAF cocktail. It’s colour changing, mystical and magical.”

The festival also features events that go beyond the art. Saturday offers festivities including Hatha Yoga, a screening of ‘The Man Who Fell To Earth’ and an Arts Fair (tickets can be found on Eventbrite). Sunday morning offers a walk along the Jesus College nature trail combined with an art workshop. On the final evening (12/02), an Evensong will be held, dedicated to the late John Hughes.

The mix of community and commemoration is important to the identity of the festival, as Joe says, “It is nice to see a legacy. We have been working with the college archivist, which is very exciting. It feels nice to be contributing to a continuing history”. Millie continues: “It feels like a sense of community, even just within the committee. It's been really nice to work with a lovely group of people … Everyone’s been really excited and bringing their own ideas.”

The aim of the festival is for people to have fun and as Joe puts it “I always like a bit of absurdity!”. Milly agrees, “Especially at this point in term, it’s a bit grey and people are getting quite stressed. So it’s a lovely celebration where it is colourful and fun”. She adds, “And people not being scared of the gallery space, it’s a gallery for everyone. Nothing too serious”. The gallery is open to all throughout the weekend until Sunday, and everyone is welcome to see the art (for free) from 8am to 8pm.