SoCo South Coast Artists – Executive Committee

LESLEY CORNISH: CHAIR

Lesley Cornish BA. Painter/Arts Administrator

Worked with Photogallery in St.Leonards for 6 years before becoming exhibitions curator at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery for 12 years.

Since then, some freelance work and project managed the re-furbishment of the Old Town Hall Museum. Advisor on setting up of the Art in Hospital project at the Conquest Hospital and various other local projects.

Co-curated the 'Works on Paper' exhibition at SoCo with Angie Braven, November 2006.

GRACE LAU: VICE CHAIR

Grace Lau MA: photographer/writer/lecturer. 2005 - awarded ACE funding for Chinese portrait studio project in Hastings, subsequently selected images exhibited in Tate Britain, 2007. Numerous solo and group exhibitions in London 1987-2007. Invited for short residency at National Portrait Gallery 2006. Retrospective book published 1997 by Serpents Tail: “Adults in Wonderland”. Presently writing “Picturing the Chinese: Western Photographs and Postcards” to be published in Hong Kong, 2008.

Worked with Soco in marketing/promotions and co-curated ‘Portraiture Now' and ‘Headspace' with Carolyn Jackson, 2006.

LYNNE BINGHAM: MEMBERSHIP

Lynne Bingham BA Hons: multi media artist including installation and video. After many years teaching returned to art, graduating from Brighton University in 2005. Finalist in 50 over 50 2006. Finalist EAC art awards 2007. Interest and wide experience in education and also mental health issues.

JUDY DEWSBERY: MARKETING

I have experience in co-running a business, Swanky Modes, in London for 20 years which included promotion, putting on shows etc, including a retrospective at Angela Flowers, TV appearances etc.
I have an interest in out of the ordinary events, while keeping a professional veneer on things. I own the Beacon, and have overseen its own evolution since 1994 to the present time.
I co-run art group dab Arts, I lecture (very) part time at Central St Martins (womens wear design, BA), I paint, make, but most of my time is taken up by the Beacon.

CHARLOTTE SNOOK: EXHIBITIONS/EDUCATION

Charlotte Snook MA RCA

An exhibiting member of SoCo since 2004.

Involved in the Coastal Currents Open Studios Event since its beginning. Exhibited widely in the UK, France and Germany

Has taught at universities and colleges across England both at Foundation and BA level.

Currently a Senior Lecturer on the Foundation Course at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, responsible for 9 Associate Lecturers and 160 students, many of whom are international.

In 2004, initiated and co-curated an exhibition ‘The Art of Diversity', which took place at the London College of Fashion, showcasing and celebrating disability and diversity within the University of the Arts London.

In 2005, organised a fund raising ‘postcard project' for the Seafund Hastings Tsunami appeal, involving 350 students from Central Saint Martins Foundation Course; each student contributed a handmade card for public sale. Trained in Disability Law and a supporter of equal opportunities policy.

ANGIE BRAVEN: EXHIBITIONS

Taught at Chelsea & Ravensbourne Schools of Art for 30 years and is a qualified art therapist.
Exhibited widely: Royal Academy, Odette Gilbert Gallery - Cork St, Braven and Bratby - Terrace Gallery Worthing, Rye Easton Rooms, Hastings Museum & Art Gallery etc.
Commissioned 50' mural for Conquest Hospital Hastings. Work in public & private collections. 2006 – invited artist for an exhibition organized by the Arts Trust, Mumbai, India. Featured on BBC TV ” Abroad in Britain”

Founder member of SoCo and lead artist on curation/selection and hanging.

GILL KNIGHT: TREASURER

Gill Knight- HCAT tutor with a long interest in the arts as a spectator.
First associated with SoCo as a minute taker at meetings and then as bookkeeper from last November.
I welcome an opportunity to support SoCo in its new format.

CAROLYN JACKSON: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND CO-ORDINATION

Painter and mixed media artist. Founder member and formerly Secretary of SoCo. Co-curated Portraiture Now and Headspace exhibitions at SoCo Gallery with Grace Lau.

Long career in education as an art specialist and latterly as a tutor on part time courses at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. Before coming to Hastings, lived, worked and exhibited in Berlin for almost 2 years, where she developed an interest in the vibrant culture of live/work spaces and well developed infrastructure of “Kultur Haus” work/exhibition/performance spaces.

Has exhibited locally and in London. Has a special interest in Arts and Health – working with Breathing Space, an arts group for carers

Co- founder of dab arts group, involved in the development, funding and delivery of projects. More recently working in Arts Administration for HBC Arts/Cultural Development. Co-opted on to the committee in May 2007 to assist in moving SoCo forward, post St. Mary - in – the – Castle.

MARY HOOPER: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Visual Artist and Curator. My work as an Artist is generally site specific and is in a variety of media according to the location. Recent projects can be seen on www.allsaintshospital.co.uk and www.onetwoone.org.uk .

I am a founder member of ONE TWO ONE Art and Architecture Network and Radiator Arts.

I have 20 years experience of project management as curator of Arts in Healthcare for East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and as a consultant for Public Arts projects in the South East. I left Arts in Healthcare in April 2007.

Other skills include fundraising, leading workshops and Community Arts.