derbyshire makes - dare to dream 💭

Pillowcase from a Heanor charity shop

Thrilled to share that I'm one of six selected artists working on Dare to Dream, a project inspired by Derbyshire's history of innovation and textile heritage. Dare to Dream invites people from across the county (and beyond!) to create flags from fabric scraps and found materials to share powerful statements of possibility, hope, aspiration and radical thinking.

Dare to Dream is part of Derbyshire Makes, a new, three-year programme of cultural activity across the county - an inspiring celebration of making in all its forms. It launched in late March 2025 in Chesterfield with the free Derbyshire Makes Festival, an annual event taking place each spring across six distinct local Hubs. The Hub locations are Chesterfield, Heanor, Cromford, Glossop, Bolsover and Swadlincote. 

Creative Director Clare Tymon shares her inspiration for Dare to Dream

Dare to Dream Artists'Day

draw derby - 3 years

After a fabulous three years I've handed over the hosting of Draw Derby into the safe hands of DD regulars Jenny Stevenson and Tom Burley. They had a super January 2025 gathering last month and I look forward to updates @drawderby, please give them a follow on Instagram 🙂

For 2025 dates and to book a free place - see eventbrite.

A huge thank you to Jenny and Tom for stepping forward in their busy lives to keep DD going, I really appreciate that.

I'm spreading my wings and have become Draw Derbyshire. I'm not actually sure what this will look like or become - lets see... I have a new sketchbook, so there's a start. My intention is to share drawings and drawing related thoughts and ponderings and any creative activities I run with a drawn focus or element.

Final sketchbook throwdown hosting Draw Derby - December 2024

The King of Rome, Derby Museum & Art Gallery

horizons - self portrait/photography/collage

Taking a moment to reflect on my recent self-portrait/photography project inspired by Maria Rivens at St Martins Horizons 6th Form last term. 

It was an absolute pleasure to offer starting points and invitations to the young people, then stand back and be amazed by their ideas, sensitivity and creative confidence.

Below are works in progress: drawing, photography, collage, masks.

Students who have given permission for their work to be displayed will be showing at Young Format - Schools In Residence at FORMAT25 in Derby March 2025 - can't wait!

Thank you Derby QUAD for asking me to lead this project.

movers & shakers community fund

Amazing news! My application for the first round of MAKE/SHIFT Movers & Shakers Community Fund was successful! 

My project - People, Place and Plants celebrates the power of plants and is inspired by the varied native and medicinal herbs taking root around Heanor Market Place, part of the sites recent update. People, Place and Plants engages local people with place through observational and expressive drawing and the creation of herbal tea blends and artwork inspired by the site. I’m curious to see if memories of local plant folk-law could be sparked and what we will share and learn. 

Click on the links for more information about Make/Shift and the fund. Applications will open for the Spring 25 round of funding on Wednesday 19th March 2025. Details on how to apply will be available nearer the time.

horizons - self portrait/photography/collage

Been having a fabulous time with students at St Martins Horizons 6th Form this term!

We are working towards self portraits inspired by contemporary British artist Maria Rivens brilliant scrapbook-style collage. 

Our first activity focused on spotting positive traits in ourselves and sharing them in a bold impactful way. Each participants hand provided the framework for their words and the positivity in the room was so uplifting!

Thank you Derby QUAD for inviting me to lead this project.

draw derby - 3 years!

December 2024 will be my final Draw Derby as creator/host/organiser, I'm stepping back as I need to focus on paid work. My ambitions for Draw Derby were bigger than I've been able to facilitate - I had hoped to run drawing workshops and put on an participatory exhibition in an empty shop in Derby city centre BUT support/funding has not been forthcoming. It's been a tough decision but 3 years is a good run. 

A group of DD regulars will be taking Draw Derby forward into 2025, same name, same time, same place!

drawing in derby - july 2024

Eighteen people gathered to draw in Derby on the last Saturday in July - see them in action below, plus the mornings sketchbook throw down!!! 

Book your free place for our August gathering here 🖐️✏️