Jessica Baudey

Jessica Baudey is a visual artist, educator, and co-founder of Big Wave, a nonprofit collective bringing artists together and making the arts a bigger part of everyday life in rural Wales. Through her own practice of printmaking, painting, and textiles, Jess explores themes of memory, relationship, and play – ideas that also shape her teaching. After years of teaching across Hong Kong studios, London inner-city schools, pupil referral units, and further education colleges, she realised that art isn’t about being perfect – it’s about connection.

That belief is at the heart of Big Wave. It’s not just about sharing art in unusual places – it’s about creating opportunities, building connections, and making creativity something that belongs to everyone. Their first major project, Gŵyl Cariad (Festival of Love), brought together artists and locals to turn Aberystwyth into a town where art wasn’t just seen – it was part of daily life.

At TEDx Aberystwyth, Jessica will share how Big Wave’s simple, inclusive approach helped open doors – making it easier for people to connect with art, with each other, and with the creative potential of their own communities, proving that small places have the power to spark change too. Join us on 22nd February to find out more.