Featured Artists

FEATURED ARTISTS
We are proud to feature a range of artists and friends through this series of Wiltshire Creative Connects films. We hope you enjoy them.
Connects: Tim Crarer and Roger Townsend in conversation
During the Summer of 2020, Chair of Wiltshire Creative Tim Crarer met with Roger Townsend, Founder of Salisbury Arts Centre and Salisbury Festival.
World Wide Wiltshire (Films)
Folio Theatre and Wiltshire Creative present World Wide Wiltshire, three short films harnessing the creative power of the region to showcase the finest work inspired by the county.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Congress Collaborators - Our Imagined Futures…
A suite of responses to the theme ‘Imagined Futures’ has been created by a fantastic group of local Creatives across art forms and across boundaries, real and perceived.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
HER NAKED SKIN Community Cast
This week we are delighted to take a look back to 2018 when Wiltshire Creative brought together a group of women to form a Community Cast, who were to perform alongside a professional cast, to present the regional premiere of Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s Her Naked Skin, an epic story of political and personal intensity.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Exeter House SEN School
This week we are delighted to premiere the performance of EVERYDAY DREAMS (DREAMING IN ENGLAND), which was created and performed by Students from Exeter House SEN School in March 2020.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Young Artists
This week Mackenzie, David, Anabella, Rachel, Georgia, Megan, Charlie, Fraser and others want to share their story with you.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Senior Lecturer
Olu Taiwo
Our next artist of the week is Dr Olu Taiwo who teaches in Acting, immersive and digital performance as well as physical theatre at the University of Winchester.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Viv Gordan
This week we talk to Viv Gordon. She will share insight into her survivor-led theatre practice, the development of her theatre company and what projects she has been working on during lockdown. Viv will be chatting to Theatre Director, Jo Newman.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Violinist
Harriet Mackenzie
In conversation with Festival Producer Fiona Curtis, Harriet and French Choreographer Julien Guérin discuss the impact lockdown has had on creating their new commission Bach & Ballet, and how they have continued to collaborate. Harriet will look back at some of her previous work with a new composition by Deborah Pritchard, made in response to artist Maggi Hambling’s painting ‘March 2020’.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
with our Pantomime Creative Team
This week we talk to some of the Creative Team of our much-loved pantomime. Join Choreographer Nicky Griffiths, Designer James Button and Musical Director Chris Peake as they discuss how we stage the biggest show of the year at Salisbury Playhouse and remember some fond memories. They will be chatting with Gareth Machin.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Further Education Course Leader
Tom Sherman
This week it is actor and Wiltshire Creative’s Further Education Course Leader Tom Sherman. In conversation with Wiltshire Creative’s Associate Director Dave Orme, Tom discusses his career and the Performing and Production Arts Further Education course which is run in conjunction with Wiltshire College.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
with artist Sally Firino
This week we talk to Salisbury based fine artist Sally Firino. Sally has been shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and was one of six artists shortlisted for the ING Discerning Eye Drawing Bursary at The Mall Galleries London and has her work in many private collections worldwide. Sally will be chatting with local actor Tim Treslove.
A pre-recorded interview
Sue Allenby
Elias: A Story of the Founding of Salisbury
Sue had never thought she would be writing a novel when she was researching the role of Elias of Dereham, the elusive rebel lawyer-priest and artistic genius. And John Elliott, of Spire Books, had never thought of publishing one. This story, of the excited, resilient people watching Salisbury being built around them, is her 800th birthday gift to the city.
A pre-recorded interview and online catalogue
Makers' Tale
Curators Mirka Golden-Hann and Loucia Manopoulou in conversation with the artists Hermione Thomson, Peta Jacobs, Manuela Kagerbauer, Michelle Shields and Cara Wassenberg, composer Dr Harry Whalley and Salisbury Cathedral representative Canon Robert Titley watch Curators Mirka Golden-Hann and Loucia Manopoulou in conversation with the artists Hermione Thomson, Peta Jacobs, Manuela Kagerbauer, Michelle Shields and Cara Wassenberg, composer Dr Harry Whalley and Salisbury Cathedral representative Canon Robert Titley
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ARTS IN A 21ST CENTURY CITY?
Artistic leaders from across the country debate the place of art and culture in the future.
HOW CAN 21ST CENTURY CITIES BENEFIT THEIR CITIZENS?
There is more wealth than ever before in the western world. Panellists from across the political spectrum explore whether the wealth always go to the right people, and how we can ensure that it is shared fairly.
CAN 21ST CENTURY CITIES BALANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY?
Cities consume resources at an ever-increasing rate. Can this continue in a finite world?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HIGH STREET IN A 21ST CENTURY CITY?
Architects, urbanists, writers and those on the retail front-line come together to discuss how the high street can reinvent itself to stay central to 21st century life.
A pre-recorded interview
Stonemason Andrew Ziminski
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” Over the past three decades, Andrew Ziminski has worked as Stonemason and Conservator in Salisbury and Wiltshire. By examining projects he has undertaken in and around Salisbury – including at the Cathedral, the ruins of Clarendon Palace and many local churches and bridges – Andrew will illuminate the power of craft skills and the use of traditional materials that are both beautiful and sustainable. Andrew will investigate how cities, including Salisbury, can be guided by the past to meet the challenges of the future.
A pre-recorded interview
PROFESSOR CHRISTIAN FROST
This talk will examine some of the ideas that underpinned the foundation and layout of thirteenth-century Salisbury, as well as other more recent theories that have contributed to its transformation over time, and discuss their relevance to the possible future identity of the city. Professor Christian Frost is Head of Architecture, Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture & Design, London Metropolitan university and author of Time, Space and Order: The Making of Medieval Salisbury.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Fight Director
Paul Benzing
This time it’s the turn of fight director Paul Benzing, in conversation with actor Mark Meadows. Through a series of short films Paul will discuss his career – including working at Salisbury Playhouse – and take us step by step how a stage fight is choreographed.
THE BIG INTERVIEW - Record-breaking beatboxer
SK Shlomo
This week we talk to Record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo who is launching a huge project to help kids and raise money for NHS Charities Together. He will be talking to Take Part Director, Louise Dancy.
Devising & Dramaturgy WorkshopDevising & Dramaturgy Workshop
Led by Stephanie Kempson
When you are creating your own work it can feel very difficult to make sure everyone is holding the same show in their heads, and to make sure that scenes or the script are crafted powerfully enough to pack the punch you need. The beginning of the process is a really important time for this, and these skills are useful across all theatrical work or live experiences.
Everything you wanted to know about casting but were afraid to ask!
CASTING with GABRIELLE DAWES
In this film, Gabrielle Dawes, Wiltshire Creative’s Casting Associate, is in conversation with Gareth Machin, discussing how productions are cast, from initial discussions with the director and sharing breakdown information, to auditions and decision-making. Gabrielle will also be answering questions previously submitted by members of the public.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Songwriter and performer
Louise Jordan
Louise Jordan is a songwriter and performer with an MA in Human Rights, who grew up in Salisbury.
With 10 years’ experience touring in the UK & Europe, she's performed at arts centres, festivals, libraries,
museums, galleries, historic buildings, schools and care homes. Louise has released 7 recordings and
gained radio play on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show & BBC Radio 4.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Sue Kent and Howard Moody
This Big Interview is with composer Howard Moody and Sue Kent, founder member of Salisbury Arts Centre and general manager of La Folia. They are in conversation with Wiltshire Creative’s Take Part Director, Louise Dancy.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Mirka Golden-Hann
Our first artist of the week is ceramicist and Wiltshire Creative’s Resident Artist Mirka Golden-Hann. In this series the Festival Producer Fiona Curtis will be in conversation with Mirka about her career and sources of inspiration. In an online catalogue she will share a succession of pieces of work spanning her career, together with a practical demonstration from her lockdown home studio offering an insight into the process of making a fermenting jar.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Chris Chibnall
The first guest will be Chris Chibnall, writer of Salisbury Playhouse’s hit comedy Worst Wedding Ever. In conversation with Gareth Machin, Chris will discuss how he came up with the idea for the play and how it became one of the Playhouse’s most popular productions. As well as a playwright, Chris’s credits include creating ITV’s Broadchurch and being Head Writer and Executive Producer for BBC’s Doctor Who.