Staff

‘I have been with Art4Space since 2013 as a mosaic artist and I now manage a range of both community and commercial artistic projects that come to our studio.  With a background in Fine Art and advertising, I bring a blend of artistic flair and strategic insight to our team. I enjoy each stage of a project from conceptualisation to final execution, making sure that our vision is delivered to a high standard, but also aligns with the broader organisational goals.  We have a great team of artists and tutors, all of whom have many different skills and it is a pleasure to get their creativity expressed through our work. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is witnessing the pride and satisfaction of participants of all ages seeing their mosaic creations take shape. It’s amazing to see the profound impact that art can have on individuals and communities, and I love how Art4Space creates an environment where participants have a safe space to explore their artistic expression. I also enjoy working collaboratively and developing new partnerships where new challenges and ideas can grow into the unexpected.’

creative@art4space.co.uk

‘I joined Art4Space in 2016. I work closely with Julie and the Board to deliver Art4Space’s objectives. I manage the office, finances and marketing of the organisation, including reporting for our funding, database records and NOCN qualifications. I have a MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy, and a background with admin and marketing from arts organisations and festivals. I have always had a passion to work for organisations that make a difference and I enjoy to see people flourishing when attending the programmes I have worked behind the scenes with. During university, I was fascinated by the important impact of creating art together with the community and artists for public art displays.’

info@art4space.co.uk

‘I discovered Art4Space in 2021 through the Creative Enterprise course. I have a background in art, education, teaching and working within the local community.  I derive immense satisfaction from teaching arts and mental health as I get to witness first-hand the transformative power of creativity in improving individuals’ well-being. Through the expressive nature of art, I feel privileged to guide others on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. Witnessing the positive impact it has on their mental health is truly inspiring and reinforces my passion for this important work with Art4Space. I am very proud of how the peer support ‘Wellbeing Through Creativity’ sessions have grown and developed. The service plays a vital role in addressing the mental health challenges faced by individuals in our community. By providing a platform for artistic expression and creative exploration, empowering individuals to navigate their emotions, cope with stress, and enhance their overall mental well-being. This, in turn, contributes to building a healthier and more resilient community.  Furthermore, this arts and mental health social prescribing service offers an alternative approach to traditional healthcare interventions. By incorporating creative practices into mental health support, we provide individuals with a holistic approach to their well-being. This approach recognises the unique needs and strengths of each individual, allowing for personalised and effective interventions..‘

peer@art4space.co.uk

‘I joined Art4Space in 2012. I lead our Reaching Communities programmes, plus Why Art Matters and Creative Culture Clubs, autism groups and our young people programmes such as Creative Pathways. I am an experienced tutor for our therapeutic interventions. I love colours – The more colours the better! I studied Art at GCSE and Textiles at A-level then ran to the seaside and play with words in the Welsh countryside. I am a holistic facilitator always with a plan, but always willing to go down a tangent if I think it is beneficial to the group. I encourage exploration of the art form and to enjoy the process. If we are not making mistakes we are not growing. Lets learn to sit with our selves and the art we create!‘

I joined Art4Space as a volunteer and LGBTQ+ lead in 2021. I am an interdisciplinary designer with an academic background in textile design, ceramics, graphic design and design research with a postgraduate Master’s degree in design. I retrained in 2018/19 to become a community arts facilitator, art and design tutor and mentor. I now facilitate the Reaching Communities; Social Action Programme courses at Art4Space. Within and outwith Art4Space, I also lead community art projects, facilitate courses and run workshops with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. I became the Art4Space green policy – sustainability officer in 2022. I am passionate about using art and design as a tool for social change within the area of social sustainably and community development, to improve human well-being and livelihood.

‘I joined the lovely Art4Space team in Autumn 2020. Within and outside of Art4Space, I work on community arts and creative participation projects; helping communities to access the arts and use them to learn, grow and improve their well-being.  I use a trauma-informed approach in sessions and I specialise in working with vulnerable communities. I have completed a HCPC recognised MA training in Arts Therapy (Drama and Movement Therapy), and I use these skills to offer a supportive and therapeutic space at Art4space. I love the tactile nature of clay work and textiles, and I am passionate about facilitating participants to experiment with different mediums and to
uncover their hidden talents! I currently run our Social Action Programmes, and I teach on the evening and weekend classes. Community projects I have facilitated, include working with groups of
adults in Lambeth community to sculpt unique ceramic plant pots in collaboration with Brockwell Park Greenhouse, and to sew a vibrant textiles wall hanging for a playroom in
a women’s refuge.’

‘I joined Art4Space in 2021 under the Kickstarter scheme. After six months with completion of the scheme, I joined the team as studio assistant. I help Leah and Gemma with studio tasks and enjoy completing the mosaic and ceramic projects. I teach on outreach sessions too.’

‘I joined Art4space in 2018, assisting the Why Art Matters programmes and facilitating the Art after-school club. I am now part of expanding the new Make and Mend studio, leading and developing upcoming classes.  I  am a multidisciplinary artist educator and curator, with over 20 years of experience working with children in educational and art settings. In my own creative practice, I explore a variety of media such as photography, video, printing, and textile art, including embroidery, natural dyes and crochet.  I have recently completed an MA in Art and Education and my research explored anti-racist art pedagogies and how to begin to decolonise the Western art canons of art education towards more equitable art curriculums. In my teaching approach, I consider the significance of tactility and materiality through the direct use of our hands and reflect on how the physicality of art and craft practices can provide other ways to understand intelligence and knowledge, often undermined by schools and society.  
I am a mother of 3 and I constantly balance the pursuit of knowledge, personal growth and creativity with the joys and challenges of motherhood.‘

‘I joined Art4space in 2023 assisting on the Summer HAF programme. I facilitate on Walcot. I have facilitated on numerous community outreach programmes. I am a part time primary school teacher and a drama facilitator with over 15 years experience in delivering creative workshops to children, young people and adults. I have a BA Hons degree in Creative writing and Theatre studies. I am neurodiverse and name it my super power! I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. I believe my professional and personal background has shaped me to be able to resonate and understand many people and people with adversities. ‘

Dani is a co-founder of Art4Space.
She now lives in rural South-West Wales where she runs the successful community arts organisation, Dani Lee Arts, creating stunning murals of mosaic or cob, earth ovens and sculptures.

dani@danileearts.co.uk