I am a volunteer and general tea-maker at Skimstone Arts. I support the young people that attend at the Studio, and feel that this support is reciprocated, as part of the Skimstone Arts ethos; it’s almost like having a whole extended family, all looking out for each other.
My background is in History, having completed an MA in the subject, particularly focussing on the history of special education within late-Victorian England.
I have always enjoyed the creative arts; music, acting, and writing have always been closet hobbies of mine. Since I started volunteering at Skimstone Arts I have explored my own personal arts practice within a more professional environment. I feel that my creative energy has more of a focus. I play guitar as part of the YAC (Young Artist Collective) band Reality Boots, and have now performed with the band at the Louder Than Words… exhibition/gig, at the Black Swan Theatre, and at the Launch of the album of the same name at Gateshead Old Town Hall, as part of Juice Festival.
I never seriously viewed myself as an artist, however, after the collaborate project, A Natural Anthem – a commission in which several YAC members, including myself, collaborated with professional artists and musicians to produce an exhibition and accompanying performance– I feel that I can ownership of what I contributed as a fellow artist, and more specifically as a performer.
Since the first A Natural Anthem performance in July I feel that I have gained a lot of experience as a performer learning a great deal; from Ensemble members with expertise in this artistic area and; from my own performances at the Discovery Museum.
I feel that I have a role within Skimstone Arts. As part of the Leadership Team, as a Bronze and Silver Arts Award advisor, and as part of Reality Boots, I have a lot of responsibilities. These responsibilities have taught me to be more organised and to manage my time better.
I am enrolled upon the TeachFirst Leadership Development Programme, starting in September 2015, as part of which I will be teaching English at a Secondary school within an economically deprived area of the North East of England.
Projects:
Reality Boots / Juice Festival
Louder Than Words / Juice Festival
A Natural Anthem
November Film Project
Arts Award:
