New Creative Practitioners

Creative Futures Cumbria are delighted to intrdouce Rhian and Debby to the on-line directory.  Hrere is a short introduction to their work - search the online directory by putting their surname in the 'keyword' box for more information.
 
Rhian White
 
Rhianis a graphic artist, designer, photographer and film-maker who enthuses about the infinite possibilities surrounding us for creating work using modern technology. Mac and PC based she works with a wide variety of groups to facilitate projects that are designed to enhance learning through creativity, encourage self-expression, team-work and increase technical capability.

Specialisms include graphic art, graphic design, film-making, animation, podcasting and photography. Rhian runs her company, dare to know, from North Lincolnshire and travels across the North facilitating projects. For more information see her website: www.daretoknow.biz

Debby Akam

I make use of a variety of media in my artwork, particularly painting, printmaking, video, and photography. I sometimes use video installations, and billboards, as a flexible way of working in a variety of contexts to engage audiences in new ways.

I have a particular interest in animals, ecology and food production, which I have integrated into a number of public art projects including Herd, Sewborwens Farm, Penrith in 2003; It’s a Different World, an arts-based research project on at Kersal Allotments, Salford, 2004; Asylum Seekers Cookbook, for Newcastle City Arts, 2007

I am currently making paintings that predominantly use colour to explore links between human and animal rhythms and structures.

I have worked with schools since 1993. My approach places an emphasis on the importance of developing projects in partnership with pupils and staff, often across subject areas.  I aim to provide a creative platform where participants can experiment and develop ideas, while learning new skills.  I am constantly developing new ways of enabling individuals to contribute to collective artworks.

Russel Burbush
 New Music North is a community arts social enterprise specialising in music and visual art. It was set up in 2009 by community musician and creative practitioner Russell Burbush. We adhere to a strict ethic which centres around sensitive community engagement, whilst promoting and developing a high standard of artistic output. Our main aim is to work within a community setting (schools, youth groups, community groups) to create original music and art, with an emphasis on personal and group creativity, and creative community development.
We work with children and young people to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and elect to take part in their own learning and direction, through the creation and performance of original music, singing and visual art. An important part of this process is participant reflection, and time for this is built into every project. These processes are aided by sensitive facilitation by skilled practitioners. Whilst we do deliver either purely musical or art activities, our interest lies in multi-disciplinary work, and placing music and art within a multidisciplinary sphere, whereby there is greater opportunity for participant engagement and ownership.