Two ‘outstanding’ resident artists announced at Wiltshire arts centre

An arts charity in Wiltshire has selected two artists to join their resident programme in Corsham.

The Pound Arts Trust, the charity that runs The Pound arts centre in Corsham, Wiltshire, offers three-year residencies and support to artists to make work in the heart of the rural market town.

This month the trust has welcomed two new resident artists to its studios to join the rich array of visual artists, theatre companies and musicians who are supported by Pound Arts to make work here in Wiltshire. These two artists are Rachel Heard, painter and Clare Winnan, artist, maker and upholsterer.

Rachel Heard is inspired by landscape, natural forms and phenomena and she uses a variety of paint techniques to gain depth, colour, texture and organic patter. Rachel’s sinuous and ethereal images are reminiscent of the ocean, rivers full of weed, or ink suspended in water. She has exhibited both locally, and in Bristol, and has sold a number of works to private collectors Rachel has a BA (Hons) in Art and Aesthetics from the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff.

Rachel said, “I’m thrilled for this opportunity at The Pound as artist in residence and am really excited about getting creatively involved with the community as well as developing my practice in new ways.

“I’m exploring ideas about nature, environment, creativity, and wellbeing and visitors to the studio are more than welcome!”

Clare Winnan is the creator and owner of Lacewing Upholstery and Furniture and is an upholsterer, maker and fine artist. Working with both modern and traditional upholstery techniques to transform and create beautiful objects and items of furniture. A “total chair addict” and lover of beautifully printed fabrics, coupled with the love of using her hands, upholstery was always a natural direction to move into.

Clare gained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Sculpture from Bath Spa University and a postgraduate degree in teaching art from Brighton University. “I am so thrilled to join The Pound as an artist in residence: it has such a community feel, it feels like a second family,” says Clare.

The Pound Arts Trust looks to support artistic excellence, creativity and inclusion and aims to be a place of discovery and nourishment for the public and artists alike.

Director of The Pound, Russ Tunney, says: “I am delighted to welcome both Rachel and Clare – they are both astonishing artists who make inspiring work, and we will do all we can to support them in their time with us. Wiltshire is a powerhouse of creativity and we are pleased to play our part in this.”

Rachael and Clare join existing Pound Arts resident artists Caroline Rudge; musician, Lewis Clark; and theatre company, The Last Baguette.

For further information visit www.poundarts.org.uk