Kent Creative Awards 2017 - Programme

In association with Ashford School Friday 19 May

2017

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Welcome

Our Judges

Our Sponsors

3D Art and Objects

Foreword by Mike Buchanan Introduction by Nathalie Banaigs

Professionals from the creative community and active sponsors

Headline Sponsor Ashford School

Animate Arts Company Sumita Chauhan Rebecca Lehmann

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Visual Arts (non digital)

Visual Arts (digital)

Design

Graphic Design

Cas Holmes Lina Ivanova Emily Tull

Sara Choudhrey Lina Ivanova Tom Parsons Photography

Fable and Base Nancy Nicholson Design Peisley Originals

HH Creative Agency The Hideout Salt

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Audio-visual

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Performing Arts

22 Music

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Publishing & Written Words

Ben Horner Melody Kennett Women in Business Radio

Stefan Gambrell Emily Peasgood Moving Memory Dance Theatre Co

Arcelia Ben Russell and The Charmers Emily Peasgood

Faversham Life The Middlesized Garden Sideways Media Ltd

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Public Art

Cultural Event of the Year

Cultural Venue of the Year

Creative Business of the Year

Animate Arts Company FrancisKnight Rob Turner

Cranbrook Literature Festival Create Music Festival Wealden Literary Festival

Creek Creative CIC Linden Hall Studio Revelation

Bombus Julie Davies Flower Workshops Rockabelly Lifecasts

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Arts Organisation of the Year

Community Organisation

Creative Champion

Special Mention

Creek Creative CIC Nucleus Arts Revelation

The Herne Bay Cosy Crew Inspirations Writers Group SEE and CREATE

Natasha Boardman-Steer Emily Peasgood Debbie Sowter

Derek Himsley

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

PORTRAIT NATHALIE BANAIGS STUDIO 4186 - KEVIN RALPH

WELCOME Foreword

A celebration of Arts and Culture in Kent

The aim of any good school is to enable its students to live joyous and fulfilled lives.

In their second year, the Kent Creative Awards recognize creative individuals and arts organisations for their worthwhile contribution to Kent culture. These Awards are important not only for those working in the arts but also for Kent. I want to stress the importance of arts and culture to raise the profile of a region, giving it a strong cultural identity which attracts tourism and supports the local economy.

This simple purpose is often best achieved by surrounding children with varied, interesting and caring people in the form of teachers and other adults who work in schools. Our collective role is to collide children with as many opportunities as possible. Key amongst those opportunities are those which enable children to explore themselves and react creatively.

I’m delighted that students at Ashford School are routinely described as exceptionally creative and, hence, our sponsorship of the Kent Creative Awards sits easily with enabling people to flourish.

Mike Buchanan Head of Ashford School www.ashfordschool.co.uk

The Awards place great emphasis on creative and professional values, encouraging artists and creatives to develop their practices and organisations in Kent. This year again, the scale of the creative talent we have in Kent was impressive. I would like to congratulate those who took action and entered the awards. It is a brave move. Being a finalist or a winner is a great feeling. Not only does it increase self confidence, but it also showcases projects and creates new opportunities.

I would like to thank our sponsors for their involvement, encouragement and support. They understand the importance of building relationships between businesses and the creative sector. Together, we value creativity, arts and culture because we know that they bring positive change to our future. I would also like to thank everyone involved in the making of this event. It is the result of a number of collaborations which have been extremely productive. Thank you.

Nathalie Banaigs Kent Creative, Project Manager www.kentcreativearts.co.uk

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

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FOCUSED, CAPABLE & EXCEPTIONALLY CREATIVE:

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CHILD TO JOIN THEM IN THE ADVENTURE? Phone now to arrange a visit

01233 739030 Adventurous Learning

registrar@ashfordschool.co.uk

www.ashfordschool.co.uk

OUR

JUDGES

Sam Alldridge Ashford School (Performing Arts)

Paul Andrews Channel Radio Entrepreneur, Mentor

Brian Aris Photographer

Catriona Campbell Escape to Create and Spacemaker Architects

Bay Lees Artist and Art Teacher

David Lilford Lilford Gallery

Amicia de Moubray Journalist and Author

Sian Murphy Stormchasers Digital

Moray Neame Shepherd Neame Ltd

Francine Raymond Journalist and Author

Iain Rayner Art Technician Ashford School

Allison Young Curator, Consultant and Project Manager

David Young Director of Development Ashford School

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

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OUR

SPONSORS

Headline Sponsor Ashford School is one of the UK’s leading coeducational, independent schools and was voted Independent School of the Year 2010/11. The School was endorsed as outstandingly successful in every category during the most recent inspection in 2014.

Head of Ashford School Mike Buchanan explains why Ashford School is sponsoring the event:

“We, at Ashford School, are sponsoring the Kent Creative Awards because creativity and artistic endeavour are at the heart of what we believe are vital for all young people Through its adventurous approach to learning its aim is to explore; because these experiences are transformative to ensure children are ambitious, articulate and confident, involving, as they do, a deep personal enlightenment on with excellent social skills and a secure moral framework the part of the young person, a greater understanding and, at the end of their time, gain a place at the school, of who they are and how they fit into the world; and because the arts are being increasingly squeezed out university or college of their choice. of some schools.

Participation in and appreciation of drama, music and art are amongst the most powerfully transformative experiences you can have because they require you to express yourself.“

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Category Sponsors

FSB Kent and Medway

Holroyd Howe

Stormchasers Digital

As experts in business, we offer our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Our mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

As proud caterers at Ashford School, Holroyd Howe are delighted to sponsor the Kent Creative Awards. Holroyd Howe is an awardwinning, Founder-led, British contract caterer who specialise in providing freshly prepared, nutritious food, exclusively for independent schools.

Stormchasers Digital believe in thinking differently and enjoy solving problems.

The digital agency getting creatives onto the best online platforms to publish amazing content, sell their work and measure performance.

Shepherd Neame

Sian Murphy, Stormchasers Digital, says: “Artists and creatives make our world a better place and Kent Creative Arts guides them to the resources they need to carry on doing what they do.

The Kent Creative Awards gave much needed recognition but what I absolutely love about this organisation is how no-one has defined ‘art’ or ‘creativity’ – if you feel creative, want to be creative, or simply mingle with creative people then you’re welcomed into this community.

Whoever you are, whatever your background, it can be the start of a brand new journey.”

Established over 40 years ago to help our members succeed in business, we are a non-profit making and non-party political organisation that’s led by our members, for our members.

David Milham, FSB Kent and Medway Steering Group, says: “The creative sector is a booming industry and one that we are delighted to support via this year’s Kent Creative Awards.

Whether a graphic designer, web designer or interior designer there are many firms that would perhaps not consider themselves in the creative industry. So FSB is pleased to put the spotlight on these digital and practical firms, to help celebrate their successes and encourage them along their journey on an inventive path.”

Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer and can trace its origins back to the early 1500s. The fifth-generation independent family business produces Kentish ales of such renown that they are afforded Protected Geographical Indication.

The brewery is based in the heart of hop country, in the medieval market town of Faversham in Kent. Its ales use 95% Kentish hops, which are combined with the finest malted barley and chalk filtered mineral water from an artesian well deep beneath the brewery. In addition to traditional favourites such as Spitfire and Bishops Finger, the brewery also produces modern beers, such as the Whitstable Bay Collection, Japanese lager Asahi and leading US craft beer Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

Websites, Social Media, Newsletters, Google Analytics, and SEO. All with a sprinkle of special sauce. Google and your customers love fast websites, snazzy newsletters, vibrant social media and relevant top-notch content. Your business needs it all to work together and understand the numbers behind converting visitors into buyers.

Other Sponsors Countrywide Productions

Nucleus Arts

Michael Maloney, Director of Countrywide Productions: “Countrywide Productions has always believed in supporting the arts in all its forms. It plays such an important role in stimulating people whoever they may be.

It also encourages them to participate in the enrichment of our society.”

Genevieve Tullberg, Gallery Manager at Nucleus Arts: “Nucleus Arts enables people to re-connect with their aspirations, develop professional skills, stay well and improve their quality of life through the application of creativity, and in that capacity are delighted to support Kent Creative Awards.”

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

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3D Finalists for

ART & OBJECTS

Animate Arts Company

Sumita Chauhan

Rebecca Lehmann

Animate Arts Company makes highquality participatory art projects, working creatively with people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. We bring people together through projects and workshops, by connecting them with professional artists. We encourage participants and audiences to find their creative voice and bring their imaginations to life. We passionately believe that the arts are a powerful tool to engage, empower and motivate people, and our projects raise self-confidence, develop life-long skills, connect with others and positively animate your day.

I am a practising artist engaged in creating sculptures using traditional as well as digital techniques and am also doing PhD in Digital Arts at School of Engineering and Digital Arts, University of Kent, Canterbury. I explore and experiment with new approaches to conception of sculpture. These are expressed through my works in many international exhibitions and workshops.

My interest lies in highlighting possible ways of exploring creative potential of people with dementia through meaningful artistic engagement of making sculpture.

Rebecca Lehmann is a Medway artist, working from her studio in Sun Pier House, Chatham. Completely self taught, she has a strong grounding in drawing, but has lately been exploring many different media, including painting and sculpture. The natural world is intrinsic to her work, which regularly touches on personal themes of disconnection from nature, as well as regeneration and rebirth. Rebecca is also fascinated by her own ‘need’ to make art and is currently exploring this in a project focusing on mark-making.

www.animateartscompany.com

www.canterburymuseums.co.uk/ sculpture-revelations-a-visual-blog

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www.rebeccajane.co.uk/fineart

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

ANIMATE ARTS COMPANY

SUMITA CHAUHAN

REBECCA LEHMANN

9 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

V ISUAL

ARTS

Cas Holmes

Lina Ivanova

Emily Tull

Artist and author interested in the connection between material, place and environment in an increasingly urbanised world. The challenge of creating pieces with relevance to given situations, audiences and locations as part of creative learning and exchange remains a motivation.

Born in Bulgaria, educated in the UK, Lina Ivanova is a Photographer exploring the dichotomy of culture within social, domestic and political structures.

Creator of hand stitched thread paintings inspired by folklore, literature, relics, my mother’s bee collection and people lives.

One such ongoing collaboration Tea Flora Tales with contributions from makers internationally raises awareness of our need to protect wild flower habitats and work of Plantlife.

Recently published Stitch Stories and currently working on fourth book. Work held in public and private collections. www.casholmes.co.uk

Influenced by native and foreign customs and histories, the narratives created are comparative to daily life.

Her position as ‘Artist in Residence’ at Ashford School has allowed her to expand the mediums conveying her message; utilising clay, and printing striking images on this unique surface.

Pushing the boundaries on how thread can be used, by stitching highly detailed portraits and thread only installations exploring mental health and dementia. www.emilytull.co.uk

Lina is a founder of non-profit organisation Revolv, providing emerging artists with support and a platform for exposure. www.linaivanova.co.uk www.revolv.org.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

CAS HOLMES

LINA IVANOVA

EMILY TULL

11 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

V ISUAL

ARTS

DIGITAL

Sara Choudhrey

Lina Ivanova

Tom Parsons Photography

Sara combines knowledge of digital technologies with interests in the construction and application of patterns based on geometry and stylised botanical forms. Through both her research and artworks, Sara raises the question of whether hybrid art presents an affinity to an ever globalising and hybrid society, seeking inspiration through spaces where cultures intersect.

Born in Bulgaria, educated in the UK, Lina Ivanova is a Photographer exploring the dichotomy of culture within social, domestic and political structures.

My Name is Tom Parsons.

Sara’s recent work uses intricate patterns from Islamic artistic traditions as an analogy for geographical and social boundaries. Artwork includes interactive installations, laser cut woodwork and sculpture. www.sarachoudhrey.com

Influenced by native and foreign customs and histories, the narratives created are comparative to daily life.

Her position as ‘Artist in Residence’ at Ashford School has allowed her to expand the mediums conveying her message; utilising clay, and printing striking images on this unique surface.

Lina is a founder of non-profit organisation Revolv, providing emerging artists with support and a platform for exposure. www.linaivanova.co.uk www.revolv.org.uk

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I am a Portrait, Corporate, Interiors photographer based in Kent.

I came late into the photography profession. Originally from a Cavalry, Wine and construction background.

My main love is people, natural light and architecture. With never a dull moment with my work, the doors that open through my photography lead to meeting the most wonderful people and places.

Travel photography is an area I am keen to explore in the near future, combining my love of people, food, travel and architecture. www.tomparsons.co.uk

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

SARA CHOUDHREY

LINA IVANOVA

TOM PARSONS PHOTOGRAPHY

13 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

DESIGN Fable and Base Fable & Base is a design led textile studio based in Whitstable, Kent. Our beautiful hand printed fabrics offer you striking designs printed onto natural materials.

All of our fabrics can be made into a range of soft furnishing products. We can offer you a bespoke design service from initial consultations.

All of our designs can be colour matched to match your interiors giving a bespoke fabric that belongs to your home. www.fableandbase.co.uk

Nancy Nicholson Design Nancy Nicholson Design became a business almost by accident. About 6 years ago I designed a range of 3 dimensional cards, very much inspired by the decorations made by my mother in the 60s to entertain us children. It was a starting point to then bring out a range of embroidery kits using some of the “one off” designs I had been producing in machine embroidery. It seemed possible use these designs to enable people to learn the traditional art of hand embroidery but using contemporary folk designs as a vehicle.

After the success of my latest book, Modern Folk Embroidery, I am hoping to publish a series of simple handbooks on embroidery techniques very soon.

Peisley Originals A thirty year fine art practice informs Tracie’s design work. Her clothes are wearable art works. The pieces are one-off’s, every garment a new canvas, often made with the passions of the client in mind. Designed with a desire to inhabit the identity of the creative personality, Tracie describes them as ‘floral armour’; garments which applaud womanliness, assertiveness and diversity.

Tracie’s design work extends into interior design and ceramics. Inspiration from Greece and Picasso can be seen in the Mediterranean colours, forms and styling. www.traciepeisley.com

www.nancynicholson.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

FABLE AND BASE

NANCY NICHOLSON DESIGN

PEISLEY ORIGINALS

15 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

GRApHIC DESIGN HH Creative Agency

The Hideout

Salt

We are a Creative Agency, based in Ashford, Kent.

The Hideout is a studio of designers, developers and content makers based in the Garden of England. We offer a full range of services and can help you from the very creation of an idea through to delivery and on-going support.

Salt is a brand design studio based in Folkestone and London, helping companies tell their story simply and clearly though their branding.

The agency opened for business at the beginning of 2014 as the ‘corporate arm’ to Hairyhand Creative Agency. Its aim; to create clever creative comms, based on insight and strategy for Hairyhand’s education, finance and public sector clients.

The team is lead by owner/Creative Director, Scott Randall who has 17 Years commercial experience from working in Below-The-Line local marketing agencies through to working in Above-The-Line Advertising agencies in London. www.hhcreativeagency.co.uk

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We pride ourselves on producing great design that achieves your objectives, all while having some fun along the way. www.thehideout.co.uk

Creative Directors Stella Chapman and Victoria Johnstone each have over 17 years experience working on high street and blue chips brands for London agencies and bring this expertise to their clients in the arts, leisure, charity, technology and retail sectors in the UK and overseas.

Salt focus on the ‘brand idea’ to create successful visual communications using graphic design and art direction. www.saltdesign.uk

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

HH CREATIVE AGENCY

THE HIDEOUT

SALT

17 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

AUDIO-V ISUAL Ben Horner

Melody Kennett

Ben Horner is a producer, electronic Ashford resident Melody Kennett composer, musician and lecturer in music, produced two documentaries in 2016, audio technology and composition.

Supernatural8 and Radio Waves, while Interested in sound for space and the also finding time to organise a benefit psychoacoustic properties inherent in concert which won the Special audio composition, Ben works extensively Recognition prize at the 2017 Event with field recordings and interview Production Awards. Whether making material to create pieces based on films for cinema, TV and emerging cultural and geographic reference points. platforms, or running fundraisers for He is currently studying for his PhD in local and international charities, she radio and podcast documentary features loves bringing creative people together at Canterbury Christ Church University. to realise a shared vision: The Goodwin Sands Radiogram is his “Seeing an idea come to life, to enhance latest project. our understanding and really move www.theaudiosphere.com people, is a wonderful thing.”

Women in Business Radio We believe every single woman in business has the power to transform lives – their own, their family’s and lives in the community.

Each week the live radio show features people just like you with skills, information ideas and stories to share.

If you have something to say as a show guest, guest writer or even if you just want to build your confidence, we want to help you get yourself out there! www.thewomeninbusinessradioshow.com

www.featurebank.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

BEN HORNER

MELODY KENNETT

WOMEN IN BUSINESS RADIO

19 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

PERFORMING

ARTS

Stefan Gambrell

Emily Peasgood

Moving Memory Dance Theatre Co

My activities include 3 regular poetry events here in Margate. I am also working with Crisis UK developing workshops in preparation for my 2018 Homeless Tour where I will be providing 100 free workshops in 100 days touring the UK on a bicycle.

Emily Peasgood is a composer and sound artist who aims to challenge what music is believed to be, from the venue it is performed in to the people who perform it. Her research-led work is created for galleries and public spaces and ranges from large-scale community-led performances to intimate sound installations. Her work explores the value and perception of music, reconnecting people to ignored environments, and is often rooted in current political realities.

Moving Memory Dance Theatre Company’s vision is for a society where older people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives because they participate in artistic, creative and physical activities. Our mission is to provide participation and performance opportunities that celebrate the vitality of participants, consider the funny side of things, drawing out the stuff of life.

We use movement, music, spoken word and digital projection as ways of animating peoples’ stories.

www.neanderthalbard.co.uk

www.emilypeasgood.com

“This is not about age – it is about being human” www.movingmemorydance.com

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

STEFAN GAMBRELL

EMILY PEASGOOD

MOVING MEMORY DANCE THEATRE CO

21 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

MUSIC Finalists for

Arcelia

Ben Russell and The Charmers

Emily Peasgood

Songwriter Gavin Alexander joins Teresa Gallagher and Simon Foster as ARCELIA, an acoustic folk trio, rich with harmonies, drenched in soul and adoring of their native Kent.

Bringing the values of roots reggae that blend with harmony, catchy hooks and foot stomping bass, all embedded in an uplifting original sound, a blended style of where European and Australasian reggae meet.

Emily Peasgood is a composer and sound artist who aims to challenge what music is believed to be, from the venue it is performed in to the people who perform it. Her research-led work is created for galleries and public spaces and ranges from large-scale community-led performances to intimate sound installations. Her work explores the value and perception of music, reconnecting people to ignored environments, and is often rooted in current political realities.

Think Crosby Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, America, James Taylor and you’re in the right ballpark. Arcelia has recently supported Scott Matthews, Oysterband, Jon Gomm, Mawkin, Maddie Prior and regularly joins Chris Difford of Squeeze on his solo UK tours.

“Fantastic set. Stunning harmonies. The vocals were amazing” Bob Harris’s new venue, The Warehouse Recording Co. www.arcelia.co.uk

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Front man Ben Russell, is on a musical mission to spread positive vibes across the UK after moving from his native land Australia. Since forming in 2010, BRC have become Kent’s most high-profile reggae band, performing hundreds of gigs and festivals throughout the UK which include; Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair, One Love, Secret Garden Party, City Sound Project.

www.emilypeasgood.com

www.benrussellandthecharmers.co

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

ARCELIA

BEN RUSSELL AND THE CHARMERS

EMILY PEASGOOD

23 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Sponsored by Stormchasers Digital

PUBLISHING & WRITTEN WORDS

Faversham Life

The Middlesized Garden

Sideways Media Ltd

Faversham Life is an online magazine launched in September 2016. It gives an insider’s view of this ancient Kentish market town, brimming with history and interest.

The Middlesized Garden blog offers inspiration and practical tips for gardens that are larger than a courtyard but smaller than an acre. Follow the triumphs and mistakes from my garden, my friends’ gardens and the experts’ gardens.

insideKENT is the only free luxury lifestyle publication covering the whole of Kent.

The magazine is distributed free to more than 300 high-traffic venues in Kent, and features the county’s best events, fashion, arts, dining, accommodation, business, travel, days out, entertainment and more.

With a new feature published each Friday, Faversham Life uncovers fascinating Faversham people, profiles shops and businesses, reviews restaurants, reveals hidden gardens, explores the architecture and culture, gives recipes using locally produced food and features anything else that enthrals and excites the editorial team. www.favershamlife.org

I also teach and coach writing and blogging. I run workshops for individuals and companies, or work one-to-one.

I coach fiction and non-fiction writing, run ‘blog clinics’ and can help with essential social media training. www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk

insideKENT Magazine is published by Kent-based Sideways Media, who offers a smorgasbord of creative services including: contract publishing, magazine management and design, graphic design, advertising, copy writing, marketing, digital communications, website design and online publications. www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk www.sidewaysmedia.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

FAVERSHAM LIFE

THE MIDDLESIZED GARDEN

SIDEWAYS MEDIA LTD

25 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

PUBLIC ART Animate Arts Company

FrancisKnight

Rob Turner

Animate Arts Company makes highquality participatory art projects, working creatively with people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. We bring people together through projects and workshops, by connecting them with professional artists. We encourage participants and audiences to find their creative voice and bring their imaginations to life. We passionately believe that the arts are a powerful tool to engage, empower and motivate people and our projects raise self-confidence, develop life-long skills, connect with others and positively animate your day.

FrancisKnight is an established public art consultancy based in Kent providing expert advice and project management in commissioning high quality artwork in the public realm.

I have a long established broad-based arts practice primarily delivering commissioned public and community art projects. I work with varied communities, engaging participants through events and workshops to produce art in a range of media for public realm spaces. These artworks include sculptures, public seating, signage, way markers, mosaics and painted murals. I have designed artworks to be fabricated by industrial processes, but would describe myself primarily as a maker, with specialist trade or craftsman’s skills in mosaic.

www.animateartscompany.com

We facilitate unusual and unexpected contributions from artists adding value within a regeneration or development scheme.

FrancisKnight work collaboratively with developers, architects and local authorities in the selection and development of public art proposals.

We advise on artistic direction and oversee artist selection, research and development of ideas through to the final coordination of commissioned work.

www.robturners.blogspot.co.uk

www.francisknight.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

ANIMATE ARTS COMPANY

FRANCISKNIGHT

ROB TURNER

27 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Sponsored by Shepherd Neame

CULTURAL EVENT OF T`HE YEAR

Cranbrook Literature Festival

Cranbrook Literature Festival

Create Music Festival

Cranbrook has always embraced culture with its art show, apple fayre and music festival. Now, with the instigation of the Cranbrook Literature Festival the town can also celebrate the written word too. The inaugural festival took place in September 2016. It was a huge success and a real community festival, using venues across the whole town for events.

We will now continue to promote the joy and pleasure of reading and writing to children, teenagers, adults and older readers and we particularly want to engage young people in reading and writing by providing them with access to live authors from all genres.

Ashford Create Music Festival is now one of the South East’s biggest free music festivals, taking place every July in Victoria Park. Proudly organised by Ashford Borough Council, the event has grown in reputation over its 22 year history, now boasting national headline acts, as well as supporting new local unsigned acts.

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Emilie Buchwald.

With its strong positive reputation, trusted brand, and good sized following, 2017 will see the launch of Create Platform – a new week-long long programme of events across Ashford that leads up to the big day.

Wealden Literary Festival Described by Robert Macfarlane as “a hugely hopeful and valuable event”, Wealden Literary Festival is an annual celebration of place and nature through books, food, arts and crafts. Set in the enchanting gardens and woodland of Boldshaves near Tenterden in Kent, the festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the magic of our surroundings with talks from celebrated authors and poets, art exhibitions, artisan food stalls and interactive activities such as craft workshops, foraging courses and nature walks. www.wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk

www.createfestival.co.uk

www.cranbrookliteraturefestival.com

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

CRANBROOK LITERATURE FESTIVAL

CREATE MUSIC FESTIVAL

WEALDEN LITERARY FESTIVAL

29 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Sponsored by Holroyd Howe

CULTURAL VENUE OF T`HE YEAR

Creek Creative CIC

Linden Hall Studio

Revelation

Creek Creative Studios combines Art Galleries, Studios and Project/ Performance/Teaching Spaces for hire, with a highly-commended Gallery Kitchen Café (offering many ‘Free From’ options) and charming Artisan Shop packed with locally-crafted, affordable wares. Situated close to Faversham town centre at the top of historic Abbey Street, we are an independent, flexible, friendly and not-for-profit arts facility arranged over three floors of a former late-Victorian brewery building, accommodating approximately 45 Artists/Practitioners/Makers/Performers in a productive and broad range of Studios and Co-working Spaces.

As the Gallery Director of Linden Hall Studio, it is my role to oversee the exhibition and events programme of the year. Ensuring that the gallery interacts with as wider range of contemporary art as possible, involving many people from the arts community of the area and securing our venue as an inclusive arts hub of not only the town of Deal, but of Kent and the wider area. The gallery holds 10 exhibitions a year, with a Winter Group show running through December and January. Our exhibitions have featured sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, textiles, photography, mixed media, and film.

This ensures that visitors to the gallery always have a totally new experience each month, with new themes, styles and medias to explore.

Revelation is a unique venue nestled inthe heart of Ashford, combining magnificent medieval church surroundings with state of the art sound and lighting, creating a truly up close and personal experience for artists and audience.

www.creek-creative.org

Managed by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, it’s a small venue with big dreams, welcoming international stars, championing local talent and everything in between via its Revelation Presents, Make it Happen and Made in Kent programmes. www.revelationashford.co.uk

www.lindenhallstudio.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

CREEK CREATIVE CIC

LINDEN HALL STUDIO

REVELATION

31 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Sponsored by FSB Kent and Medway

CREATIVE BUSINESS OF T`HE YEAR

Bombus

Julie Davies Flower Workshops

Rockabelly Lifecasts

Where vintage style and contemporary design meet and create personalised, keepsake gifts for every occasion.

Julie Davies is The Florist. That Teaches.

She doesn’t have a shop or do flowers for wedding and funerals.

We make gifts that our customers can be part of and will speak their personality using their choice of map location, names or a few heartfelt words.

Her strength is facilitating workshops.

She empowers students to refocus their energies to observe the natural world.

She shares their joy as the stresses and strains of everyday life melt away through creativity with natural plant materials.

Rockabelly Lifecasts makes beautiful bespoke sculpture from moulds taken directly from the body. From newborn baby hands, pregnant bellies, torsos, faces, full bodies, even animals…

Everything we make is hand-made to order in our studio on the outskirts of Faversham. We use quality materials, local suppliers and old-fashioned, low-impact production techniques of decoupage - cutting and sticking as it’s also known!

Julie’s grown her business from her kitchen table to deliver #FlowerStart – the acclaimed 4-week online flower arranging course to kitchen tables across the country.

www.bombus.co.uk

www.juliedaviesflowerworkshops.co.uk

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Rockabelly creates unforgettable memories encapsulated in 3D art.

Their fine art sculptures have been shown at The Louvre and The Henry Moore Gallery, and as well as several awards for customer service, they’ve been voted the UK’s top bodycasting company by the public on independent business review site FreeIndex for seven years in a row. www.rockabelly.co.uk

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

BOMBUS

JULIE DAVIES FLOWER WORKSHOPS

ROCKABELLY LIFECASTS

33 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

ARTS

ORGANISATION OF T`HE YEAR

Creek Creative CIC

Nucleus Arts

Revelation

Creek Creative Studios combines Art Galleries, Studios and Project/ Performance/Teaching Spaces for hire, with a highly-commended Gallery Kitchen Café (offering many ‘Free From’ options) and charming Artisan Shop packed with locally-crafted, affordable wares. Situated close to Faversham town centre at the top of historic Abbey Street, we are an independent, flexible, friendly and not-for-profit arts facility arranged over three floors of a former late-Victorian brewery building, accommodating approximately 45 Artists/Practitioners/Makers/Performers in a productive and broad range of Studios and Co-working Spaces.

Nucleus Arts is an award-winning arts and community organisation founded in 2002 by The Halpern Charitable Foundation to encompass affordability, approachability, accessibility and excellence in the Arts. It champions creativity to enhance people’s lives.

Nucleus Arts provides a space for local artists to develop their talent; for local, national and international artists to exhibit; events and education to promote community engagement and reduce social isolation. Its five sites are at the forefront of the cultural regeneration of the Medway Towns.

Revelation is a unique venue nestled inthe heart of Ashford, combining magnificent medieval church surroundings with state of the art sound and lighting, creating a truly up close and personal experience for artists and audience.

Managed by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, it’s a small venue with big dreams, welcoming international stars, championing local talent and everything in between via its Revelation Presents, Make it Happen and Made in Kent programmes. www.revelationashford.co.uk

www.nucleusarts.co.uk

www.creek-creative.org

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

CREEK CREATIVE CIC

NUCLEUS ARTS

REVELATION

35 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

COMMUNITY

ORGANISATION OF T`HE YEAR

The Herne Bay Cosy Crew

Inspirations Writers Group

SEE and CREATE

Herne Bay Cosy Crew carry out large scale yarnbombing and woolly public art projects. We have no funding or budgets. Our aims are to put smiles on faces, reinforce the towns place on the creative map and promote the skilled crafts of knitting & crochet. In 2016 we created four huge colourful projects that included 30 Christmas post box toppers in Herne Bay and driving a yarnbombed Mini Cooper in Margate Canival to the amazement and delight of onlookers.

Inspirations Writer’s Group meets to support, inform and educate writers about all aspects of writing, from elements of writing like characterbuilding, point of view and continuity, to finding an agent and publishing.

The purpose is to help local writers achieve their personal writing goals.

Founded by artist Christopher Sacre, helping to transform the way Deaf Families in Medway are able to access creative arts events.

www.facebook.com/hernebaycosycrew

Writers come from all over East Kent to attend this worthwhile and valued community group. We meet the fourth Saturday of every month at Westgate Library from 11am. All ages and genres are welcome. www.inspirationswritersgroup. weebly.com

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Improving access is the goal of the creation of a new SEE and CREATE website that will list deaf-accessible creative workshops and activities. Not only will this help Deaf Families identify accessible creative events in the area, it will also enable providers to effectively reach out to Deaf Families and make them aware of what’s on offer. www.seeandcreate.org.uk

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

THE HERNE BAY COSY CREW

INSPIRATIONS WRITERS GROUP

SEE AND CREATE

37 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Finalists for

CREATIVE CHAMPION OF T`HE YEAR

An inspiring and motivating individual

Natasha Boardman-Steer

Emily Peasgood

Debbie Sowter

Natasha Boardman-Steer has been working in the local community for over 7 years. She enjoys acting as a catalyst to support creatives and founded the website Creatabot in 2010 - used by many to celebrate and promote Medway’s creativity. Since then Natasha has become a creative workshop facilitator working with organisations across Kent. More recently this has involved using creativity as a tool to improve mental health and working with various partners to think more innovatively about local issues.

Emily Peasgood is a composer and sound artist who aims to challenge what music is believed to be, from the venue it is performed in to the people who perform it. Her research-led work is created for galleries and public spaces and ranges from large-scale community-led performances to intimate sound installations. Her work explores the value and perception of music, reconnecting people to ignored environments, and is often rooted in current political realities.

Founder of Together Talking Music.

www.creatabot.co.uk

www.emilypeasgood.com

I’m an Independent Music Specialist, Consultant, Mentor, Tutor, Facilitator, Inclusive Arts Practitioner and Founder of ‘Together Talking Music’ happily and enthusiastically spreading the ‘music magic’ to as many as possible, as far as possible.

Music has, it seems forever, played a hugely important role in my life, from a very young age, for many different reasons. Nothing fulfils me more than watching others grow in confidence and self-esteem, using music and singing as power tools to enable this. Music Rocks! www.togethertalkingmusic.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

NATASHA BOARDMAN-STEER

EMILY PEASGOOD

DEBBIE SOWTER

39 KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

For individuals who produce outstanding work and have a particular impact on their communities

SPECIAL MENTION

Derek Himsley StringWind Repairs Evegate Art Gallery At StringWind Repairs we have an instrument repair workshop and an art gallery. As a chartered engineer, I feel that science subjects are an important part of our education and we need to encourage students to engage with them.

However, I also feel that our lives are incomplete without arts subjects. Apart from the repair and making of musical instruments I have also been trained in painting, sculpting, stained glass, pottery and silversmith work. I am therefore very happy to provide space for artists of any discipline to display their work. www.stringwindrepairs.co.uk

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

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Passionate about good design Do you need more space in your home or office? Book a one hour consultation with us for your £40 donation to your choice of 1 of 8 organisations doing great things in East Kent.

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Our list includes three centres of creativity in East Kent; Beach Creative in Herne Bay, Creek Creative in Faversham and The Horsebridge Arts Centre in Whitstable.

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www.saltdesign.uk

Design competition winner

THE TROPHY

Peisley Originals I was preparing to teach the children in Greece about Picasso’s ceramics and made an example with metal sheeting. It struck me as a good design for the trophy awards. I liked the use of negative space and the shadows cast, which extended the presence of the sculpture. It is my experience that creatives inhabit the potential space between what we know and what we can imagine. I designed the piece in ceramic because it has a wonderful weighty quality in the hand. I wanted the award to have the gravitas of accomplishment and to honour the creative awards.

I worked with Equinox on this trophy, it was a generous offer by them and it’s important for designers to embrace technology and consider its potential. www.traciepeisley.com

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KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

Our Vision is of a society that values creativity, arts and culture and actively enables and celebrates their contribution to our well-being and economy.

Our Mission is to encourage and promote creativity, support professional development and maximise the impact of the arts and culture on the wider community of Kent.

Kent Creative Awards An annual event, the Kent Creative Awards celebrate the arts and culture in Kent. We want to give encouragement to individuals and organisations who make a worthwhile contribution to the artistic and cultural life of Kent.

Kent Creative Show

We direct our efforts through the following projects, building a thriving community for creative people in Kent.

A weekly radio programme about arts and culture in Kent, every Tuesday at 4pm on Channel Radio. Each show is an opportunity for a small group of guests to discuss their work in the creative sector, their experiences and their expectations.

www.kentcreativearts.co.uk

Kent Creative Connect A support group for artists, art organisations and creative professionals to meet up, share and talk about their work.

Project 365 A community photography project designed to record a year in the life of a town through 365 photographs, one for each day of the year.

KENT CREATIVE AWARDS 2017

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DESIGN BY SALTDESIGN.UK

kentcreativearts.co.uk

Kent Creative Arts CIC Alexander Centre 15 Preston Street Faversham, Kent ME13 8NZ