Meet some of the wonderful smARTy pants who share their fabulous skills with us all. We’re proud to have them as part of our Arty Farty Community.
Nell, Creative Director
Nell founded Arty Farty Retreat in 2017. She holds a Ba in Fine Art:Painting and has worked with the arts in health and social care for over 10 years. Nell has worked with children and adults in a variety of settings: Hospices; Learning disability centres; Hospitals; After school clubs; Hen parties; Nursing homes; Children’s parties and more.
After moving into the ‘management world’ for a little while, Nell decided to take the leap and go back to her creative roots. Arty Farty Retreat has been running now for more than 7 years and is always growing and adapting to the changing needs of the community.
Tracey
Tracey has a degree in Performance Arts and is a musician/songwriter who is passionate about the power of music to enrich the lives of children and adults. Tracey has run workshops for children and adults with learning disabilities using music as a tool for communication, expression and exploration, directed a community choir for adults and she also loved forming a choir with children in Romania (when volunteering with Hospices of Hope) which was a lifechanging experience! The innumerable benefits of early exposure to music led her to develop her own music system, TRACEY TUNES for babies and pre-school children through which she runs classes locally. Tracey is mad about knitting and is incredibly excited about being part of the up and coming community music group at Arty Farty Retreat!
Hannah
Hannah is passionate about the arts and community. She studied Fine Art: Sculpture at Camberwell College of Art (UAL) and has worked in mental health and community for several years as an Art Psychotherapist (HCPC registered). Hannah loves to see people come together through art and music and loves to encourage individuals in their unique identity and expression. She performs locally as a singer songwriter and is excited about starting a community music group at Arty Farty retreat as well as being involved with the art workshops. She has 2 young daughters and a whippet who can be seen zooming around the ridgeway most days!
Michelle
Michelle initially trained in Fashion, Textiles and Embroidery at the Northern School of Art, before moving to London and working for many years as a creative in broadcast television. She’s now returned to her first love of drawing and painting. She have sold work in the UK and as far afield as New York and Canada. Michelle’s favourite mediums are pen, ink and watercolour, but also loves collage, print and anything to do with textiles and pattern.
Michelle is passionate about sharing the benefits of Art as a calming and mindful practice and enjoys running student-led sessions and believes that anyone can draw and paint, regardless of age, education or experience.
Mary
Mary studied Art, Craft and Design at A-Level before studying Art History at university. She is an experienced oil painter, particularly working on portraits, and also loves drawing and collaging. She enjoys collaborating with other artists and has led a number of group art projects and workshops.
Mary has over five years of experience working with young people with mental and physical disabilities and those with special educational needs. She is passionate about making art accessible to all and believes that the value of creating a safe space for artistic expression can never be overrated. She loves meeting new people and discussing all things arty!
Rosa
Rosa studied art at GCSE level, gaining a 7 (A). She’s currently studying art, media and history at alevel with hopes to pursue art at degree level. She teaches the kids create classes, where she enjoys seeing the children she works with weekly grow in confidence and skill.
She’s originally from Scotland, and spent 2 years in Australia. Outside of the studio she often spends time visiting as many parks as possible with her dog (paddy)! Within her time studying art she has always been drawn to oil paints, enjoying the flexibility and freedom of the medium.
Cheryl
Cheryl has always loved art and creativity. At school her passion was graphics and typography. She has a BSc(Hons) in psychology and is a qualified primary school teacher. More recently she has turned her attention to ceramics- or as she prefers to call it ‘playing with clay’. Cheryl is more than happy to help and guide others with their potty creations!
Katy
Katy is a graphic designer who balances the structure of the corporate world with the creative opportunities of studio work. She runs workshops in painting, printmaking, and mixed media, creating space for experimentation and playful exploration.
With passions that span photography, writing, and the wider arts, Katy brings a broad curiosity into everything she does. Her sessions focus on process as much as outcome, encouraging people to let go of perfectionism and enjoy the energy of making.
Immy
Immy has a GCSE in Visual Arts and Design Technology (textiles), and has always been interested in crafts and painting. They are currently studying the International Baccalaureate aspiring to become a Psychologist. Immy loves helping people express themselves through painting and they specialise in creative crafting and landscape painting.
They have run workshops based on fun crafting with children, and love to help them develop their skills and express their identities through art.
Rachel
I love working at Arty Farty because I believe that creativity boosts self-esteem, allows the expression of feelings in a safe, contained way and encourages out of the box thinking. I love seeing the look on a child’s face when they experience that sense of accomplishment from achieving something they didn’t think they’d
be able to!
I am currently studying A levels in Art, Design Technology and Media Studies. My favourite medium is watercolour. I love the soft, loose brush strokes and the freedom it gives. It’s funny because watercolour used to be one of my biggest weaknesses, but I kept practising and didn’t give up and now it’s the one I like best. When I’m not doing Art, I enjoy going to the gym, walking my dog and spending time with my family and friends.
Lia
Lia is a Photographer and Artist with a BA in Fine Art from Newcastle University. She has worked with a local Sixth Form College to create a workshop programme that is now an ongoing part of their curriculum – it sparked her interest in helping people build confidence in their abilities and show what they love making. Her favourite mediums are drawing and painting.
Jana
Jana joined Arty Farty in November 2024 as our part-time Admin Fairy. Before that, she worked in variety of roles including customer service and social media management. She’s a mum of two young children and, when time allows, enjoys reading, travelling, photography, cake making & decorating, and trying out different arts and crafts. Outside of Arty Farty she also helps manage social media for a small local charity.