Skip to main contentEnter
😄Good news

Ipswich illustrator Sammi Wong wins international award

News
Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams

Sammi Wong, a University of Suffolk graduate from Ipswich, has won a prestigious World Illustration Award for her project celebrating Ipswich.

The big picture: Sammi's work aims to foster community pride and belonging through illustrated maps of the town superimposed on prominent buildings in the town.

It comes as new, real-world murals and street arts have been popping all over Ipswich as part of the Wild Walls project.

'Re-imagine Ipswich = Discover. Connect. Belong.' by Sammi Wong

Key details:

  • Wong won in the New Talent Site Specific category for her project "Re-imagine Ipswich = Discover. Connect. Belong."

  • She created illustrated maps of Ipswich, digitally superimposed on local buildings like the Town Hall.

  • Wong graduated from the university's BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Graphic Illustration) degree in 2023.

What they're saying: "I am incredibly happy to have gained such a prestigious award and recognition for my design. It is still a shock and I am still telling myself that it wasn't just a beautiful dream!" Wong said.

Dr Vassiliki Tzomaka, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer at the University of Suffolk, praised Wong's "innovative thinking, strong design and illustration skills, and incredible work ethic."

Sammi Wong in her final year at the University of Suffolk in 2023
Sammi Wong in her final year at the University of Suffolk in 2023University of Suffolk & Gregg Brown Photography

Honourable mention: Another University of Suffolk graduate, Maria-Teodora Dragomir, was longlisted in the New Talent Book Covers category for her work on a BBC Studio book cover.

What's next: Those interested in studying graphic design at the University of Suffolk can find more information on the university's website.

Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams
Mentioned in this article:
University of Suffolk

Share this article

Support our journalism by sharing it with your friends, family, colleagues and followers

FareShare expands food redistribution network with new Ipswich site

News
Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams

FareShare has officially launched its new site in Ipswich, aiming to provide more surplus food to communities in need across the region.

The big picture: FareShare East Anglia is part of the UK's largest food redistribution charity network. Last year, it distributed 1.6 million meals via over 140 organisations across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

Why it matters: The larger facility will allow FareShare to increase its capacity for redistributing food that would otherwise go to waste, supporting local charities and community groups.

Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Rev. Lawrence Carey, Steve Dermody, Cllr Lynne Mortimer, Oliver Paul, Debbie Blacker, Les Dobson and Mike Barrett
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Rev. Lawrence Carey, Steve Dermody, Cllr Lynne Mortimer, Oliver Paul, Debbie Blacker, Les Dobson and Mike BarrettGlen FarthingRed Wren Studios

Key details:

  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on 12 September, attended by local supporters and partners.

  • Deputy Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Lynne Mortimer, officially opened the new site.

  • The expansion was made possible with support from funders, including Comic Relief.

What they're saying:

  • Mike Barrett, regional manager, FareShare East Anglia: "Opening a larger site, with greater capacity, is going to make a huge difference and we're enormously grateful to all our partners who have helped bring this project to fruition."

  • Kris Gibbon-Walsh, COO of FareShare: "This new bigger warehouse will allow the teams to work safely, whilst really making a difference to our capacity for redistributing food to organisations across the region and beyond."

  • Reverend Lawrence Carey of Triangle Church Ipswich: "The ability to have a regular delivery of food items from FareShare has helped us to offer support to our community through our Top Up Shops."

What's next: FareShare East Anglia is hosting an Open Day on 31 October for prospective partners, suppliers, and organisations interested in receiving food.

The bottom line: The new site will enable FareShare to expand its operations, providing more support to local communities facing food insecurity while reducing food waste.

Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams

Share this article

Support our journalism by sharing it with your friends, family, colleagues and followers

Load next article