Andy Summers grew up in Birmingham and Walsall. He is a retired teacher and strong trade union advocate who worked as a senior specialist behaviour manager aspiring to achieve inclusion in mainstream life for challenging pupils and students in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
He has been an ‘occasional poet’ for many years popping up and performing widely in the West Midlands and beyond, contributing to performances and workshops with other more established Midland’s poets, appearing at festivals in Lichfield, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Leamington and Birmingham.
His most recent work is supporting Walsall Society of Artists at their 6 week exhibition at The Crossing, St Paul`s in Darwall Street, Walsall and the 3 month exhibition at the New art Gallery in Walsall.
On Saturday 7th April Andy competed against 10 other artists including musicians, poets and comedians in a performance showcase at the Birmingham Black Box Theatre. Andy entered 2 rounds of competition and went up against 4 other semi finalists to become the Grand Winner of the Black Box Award. He will now go forward to perform at the Birmingham Fest at Black Box Theatre between 12th - 28th July 2024.
Andy is known for his strong, committed political poetry, exposing inequality and challenging injustice and he has contributed his words of protest at a range of public events and marches. He is an observer of the human condition in a wider range of material reflecting emotional and social aspects of contemporary life.
"The power of poetry to evoke strong feelings and sensitive observations has always fascinated me", said Andy "and I continue to develop new work within the community. Most recently, in response to the appalling tragedy in Palestine I have been linked with other poets producing memorable and heart-rending material for future publication in support of the victims."
Andy is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to Birmingham Fest 2024 when he can present the full range of his poetry in the city in which he grew up and represent Walsall.
