Manchester Day 2019 Artists

Mel is maker with a sculptural ceramics background and a degree in three-dimensional design. She became an artist, maker and performer in the carnival arts sector about 6 years ago, specialising in headdresses. An associate artist at Global Grooves, more recent work has included large-scale illuminated puppets first seen at Blue Dot Festival.

Leeds-based Naomi Parker is a costume designer and maker who has been involved in every Manchester Day parade so far. She specialises in creating costumes and lightweight images that are fun to perform in and for this year’s parade she’ll be be working with Jelly Dance for the fourth time on costumes for the front section of the parade.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39417128@N04/albums

Details to follow

I have worked in education and community arts and this has included working with young people’s projects, schools, colleges, museum groups, art groups and community led organisations. Alongside my own practice, I have taught and delivered workshops within many other community groups and inner city schools, supporting different ages and young people with learning and behavioural needs.

Rose Miller is a visual artist. Working predominantly in the medium of free hand machine embroidery, her work draws from the natural world from inspiration.Originally from Brighton, she now lives in Manchester and is currently working freelance in prop making, puppetry, carnival and community arts. 
http://rosemillermakes.com

Ruta graduated from the Theatre and Performance Design (BA) course at LIPA in 2011 with an award for Creative and Technical Excellence. During her studies she fell in love with puppetry as well as stage design. Since graduating she has worked on numerous projects with Lantern Company and as an artist/ maker on Manchester Day.

Ruth Jones is first and foremost a contemporary dance artist, having trained at Laban/Trinity, Temple University MA Dance Dept, Philadelphia and The Cunningham Dance Studios, New York. She specialises in Outdoor, Sited and Site-Specific dance, Parade, Mass Movement and community dance. She has choreographed for every Manchester Day, since inception.
https://twitter.com/choreoruth 

Sandra McCracken is a freelance artist based in West Yorkshire, and has been working with the public in galleries, schools and communities for 20 years, including as a teacher of Art and Design/Head of Department. More recently she has been working with Handmade Parade and Plunge Boom on outdoor arts projects.

Sarah Dicks is a versatile set and costume designer for theatre and also likes to dabble in puppetry, education and visiting all the piers the UK coastline has to offer. With an MA (Distinction) in Costume, she designed award-winning costumes for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Events in Weymouth.
www.sarahdicks.co.uk

Now working on her fifth Manchester Day, Sarah has been a designer, scenic artist and prop maker for 15 years, creating sets, costumes and all manner of weird and wonderful things for theatre, television and film, including youth and community productions that have taken her all over the country.
www.sarahoxley.com

Freelance artist Steve Gumbley was a member of Welfare State, and co- founder of IOU Theatre. He designs and makes theatre sets, kinetic sculptures, artworks and exhibitions. Steve likes to collaborate with other artists and specialist makers, as well as producing his own work. Recent works include a set for Proper Job Theatre Company’s Dorian Gray.

Details to follow

Since graduating in 2013 Vicky has built up a freelance career as a costume maker and embroiderer within many different art forms including theatre, dance and TV, working for companies including The Royal Exchange, Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet. She now works closely with Cabasa Carnival Arts as one of their lead costume artists.
https://www.instagram.com/victoriarichardscouture/

Vick is a performer and artist based in Manchester with a degree in Performance Art and a keen interest in puppets and outdoor arts. Vick has worked on Manchester Day for the past two years and this year will collaborate with Johnny Quick and the Malayalee community to make their experience a 10/10!

Alison Allum teaches Art &Design in primary and secondary schools in the UK, and also teaches English abroad using puppetry to encourage students to write narratives and interact in a playful way. Inspired by storytelling, festival arts and performance, she enjoys creating art that offers a spark of wonderment and surprise.

Details to follow

Ben Ark is a mixed media artist and maker based in Salford who specialises in documenting architectural and urban landscapes around Greater Manchester, with the aim of enhancing people’s lives. This is his first year working on Manchester Day as an emerging artist on the ELEVATE scheme and he is extremely excited to get learn and share skills.
www.benarkart.co.uk @BenArkArt on social

Claudia is a prop, costume, puppet and scenic artist based in Liverpool with a degree in Production Art and Design from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is experienced working in theatre, film, and festivals. She has been involved in a wide range of community projects and enjoys making large props, puppets and whacky costumes.
https://www.instagram.com/claudiajevonsprops/

Details to follow

As a freelance designer Isla Parry has a broad, cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach, which she has applied in both commercial and community contexts. She has accumulated media recognition and awards for her work as a product designer. She has a wealth of experience in both design and education.
www.ilsaparry.com

Janine Walker is an artist/maker based in the North West with a background in 3D design crafts. She became involved in parade art through the Spareparts festival. Through the Elevate Creative placement she is hoping to develop her making skills and learn more about large scale outdoor art and structure..
https://www.instagram.com/janinevwalkerart/

Harnessing over 20 years’ experience, Jeanefer Jean-Charles is a globally respected Creative Artist and Public Engagement Expert, who has worked in over 21 countries, and whose accomplishments appear in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Born and raised in Scotland, Jen Kilgour has always had a passion for making things and drawing. During the mid 1990s, she went to Edinburgh Art College to study Stop-Motion Animation followed by Photography, a Post Grad in Fine Art Painting and most recently an HND in Model Making, where she finally found her true vocation.

Details to follow

Manuela Fleming is a Costume Design student, soon starting her third year of study at Wimbledon college of Arts in London. Her design practice focuses around her interests in conceptual costume and movement-based design for live performance, often exploring the boundaries of conventional costume through innovative materials and design.
https://www.instagram.com/mannifleming/

Norma is a North West based artist and maker. She has worked with a range of organisations including Ludus Dance, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Fable Arts and Leftcoast/ SpareParts. She has also been part of the making team for the Blackburn Festival of Light for the last two years.