Canopy is run by a small, passionate team of arts professionals. Determined to embed creativity in The Forest of Dean, we work together with the aim of supporting artists and devising a cultural strategy for the area.
Rob Olins
Chair – Steering Committee
Rob is a sculptor/designer working cross media, informed by architecture, acoustics and modern engineering techniques, with particular emphasis on the boundaries between art and science.
Qualifying in experimental ceramics led him to collaborate with architects, scientists and designers. This collaborative approach has always been a key element of his practice and as led him to working alongside a wide range of specialists ranging from sound designers to blacksmiths.
Website: robolins.net
Sara Rickard
Project Manager – Steering Committee
After several years planning I left my career in art education and decided to return to my roots in embroidery. An interest in line achieved in stitching achieves movement and layers of translucent fabrics combined with threads aims to add a depth and richness of colour. I stitch both by hand and machine.
Since 2016 I have participated in farOpen, local galleries and one person show ‘5,000 Hours’ at Ruskin Mill, Stroud. Exhibited at The Knitting and Stitching Show, London, Harrogate and Dublin, pieces toured nationally. Work in public collections, one selling recently to Grantham Museum and Art Gallery.
Web: sarajoyrickard.com
Charlotte Keating-Sparks
Part time Graphic Design, Marketing & Admin
With a passion for promoting local art & culture, Charlotte brings her background experience in marketing and graphic design to Canopy to focus on raising the profile of Canopy’s activities and purpose through effective online promotion (website and social media) and traditional marketing (flyers/banners/magazine). Charlotte also updates the website with content, creates our e-newsletters and supports the team with administrative duties for the day to day running of Canopy and events.
Outside of Canopy, Charlotte is a British contemporary artist who paints dreamy, soothing abstracts and moon paintings to infuse your home with a sense of tranquility. She runs her art practice in the Forest of Dean, sells her art online & in galleries, participates in the farOpen Annual Open Studios Art Trail and runs art classes locally. Read more https://www.charlottekeating.com
She also volunteers as the marketing lead for farOpen to promote the annual Open Studios Art Trail and helps raise the profile of artists, exhibitions and workshops run by member artists throughout the year https://www.faropen.co.uk
Roger Drury
Arts Development – Steering Committee
Roger is a community arts worker, based and working in The Forest of Dean and environs since 1986. He develops creative activity, engaging with communities, working with all ages and abilities. Projects have included setting up Coleford festival of Words, Forest of Dean Community radio, Incomplete Histories, Oh Crumbs spoken word live events, Last Thursday live performances and Glos Writers Network. He is a writer/performer member of Custard Ceili Band & the Pukes.
canopy creative network 