Our Team

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 fourth 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.

Adrian's background is in ceramics but his recent work has been producing sculpture made from found objects. He joined the team in 2011 and has exhibited at most of the Derbyshire Open Art events since 2008. Adrian aims to promote the arts in the north of the county and recognises the important role that Derbyshire Open Arts plays in this.

Jane returned to the UK after a career working overseas & settled in Chesterfield. She’s also returned to her first love which is painting and creating.  Jane & her partner are avid gardeners & growers of veg & fruit.  When she isn’t elbow deep in soil or muck she is to be found in her old barn painting mostly rather large abstract works.

Ruby is a British contemporary artist whose oil paintings depict emotive light. She has been exhibiting with galleries for over 12 years and is the resident artist and gallery manager of Ferrers gallery, located on the Leicestershire- Derbyshire border. Ruby curates 5 year round exhibitions for Ferrers gallery, which supports over 150 British artisans.

I worked for over ten years in the fashion industry as a designer and have been freelance as a designer and textile artist since then. My Art Textile work is mainly based on my preoccupation with life drawing, sketches from drawing the figure are translated into thread, cloth, paper and paint.

Many artists work in isolation so sharing and promoting their work is very important, Derbyshire Open Arts makes this possible.