Our Team

Chair

Leigh is a new member to the team and comes with an interesting portfolio. Based on the Derbyshire, Leicestershire border, Leigh has a successful business making industrial style lighting, furniture and garden art from his workshop on the Staunton Harold Estate, nestled in the heart of the National Forest.  

Leigh also has another business he runs with his wife called The Artisan Show, this showcases the best of British Handmade, and he has also created a Artisan Guild for easy access to an array of Artists and Makers based in the uk. With a passion for anything created and handmade and his knowledge of the making world he’s hoping to be a valuable member of Derbyshire Open Arts. 

Not an artist, but enjoys involvement with like-minded people and the opportunity to support this worthwhile event.

Karen has been involved with Open Arts venues for several years, but more as a tea-maker and cake-server than an artist. She is now in her third year as Secretary, and takes a leading role in social media, the newsletter and making sure the website is accurate and interesting. 

Jennie comes from an embroidery background and now works as a mixed media textile artist. She is a member of textile and printmaking groups in Derbyshire and Sheffield, exhibiting and working with them. Presently her creative work focuses on experimental weaving and constructed 3D pieces.

Cass has had a lifetime interest in ‘making’. Mostly in the medium of textiles. She believes it important for artists to have a way of sharing their work and Derbyshire Open Arts is a great way to do this.

Adrian is a ceramics artist based in Glossop. He joined the team in 2011 having exhibited as an artist for the last six Open Arts events. Adrian aims to promote the arts in the north of the county and recognises the important role that the Derbyshire Open Arts plays in this.

Oksana is a textile artist based in Nottingham. Although mainly a machine knitter, she is passionate about sustainability and recycling. She currently designs and produces hooked rag rugs and wall hangings from recycled and scrap fabric. Her work has a heavy emphasis on colour and pattern with inspiration being drawn from her fascination with stained glass and geometry.

Alasdair’s practice focuses on the exploration of what it is to be an artist and what contribution artists and art groups can have in the wider community.

Jane spent her early career working as a graphic designer. After taking a break to raise a family she returned to university to complete a degree in Contemporary Fine Art at Reading University. Following this by training as a teacher and teaching secondary school and sixth form art. In 2015 Jane stopped teaching to pursue her long held dream of becoming a full time professional artist. Her work is mostly 2D and focused on drawing, painting and print making. Her style ranges between semi abstract and abstract, and although the landscape often plays a role influencing her work, she is more interested in the lingering memories associated with places rather than depictions of them. Her work has been exhibited across the UK and is in private collections both in the UK and USA. After moving to Derbyshire in 2022 Jane has found the drama of the Peak District landscape creeping in to influence her work more