An Odyssey with Anum Farooq (Odyssey Global Media)

Sarah-Jane Mason and Simon Turner with Anum Farooq

THE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL DIRECTORS, ARTISTS AND THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS

Behind the scenes at the logistics and future plans of the Lacuna Contemporary International Art Festival with Directors Sarah-Jane Mason and Simon Turner, as well as their insights into their respective artistic processes and perspectives on the  future relationship between art and wellness.

Sarah-Jane Mason is a Creative Practitioner, Facilitator & Educator who specialises in using mixed media approaches to personal and participatory arts projects. She believes that creativity is the key that unlocks learning and that play and experimentation are important parts of the creative process.

Sarah-Jane comes from a traditional Fine Art background. She studied for a BA (Hons) Fine Art at Liverpool John Moore's University (UK) and DipCipris (a postgraduate degree) in Fine Art at the Cyprus College of Art (Cyprus). Continuing her studies, she focused on creative education, completing a PGCE (Art & Design) at the University of Leeds (UK) and a Post-16 Teaching Certificate at Cyprus College of Art (Cyprus).

Her role as the director of an annual, international, contemporary art festival is an important aspect of her arts practice. This position allows Sarah-Jane the opportunity to create an environment and hold a space where artists and audience members can interact, question, share and otherwise meaningfully engage with each other. She is supported in her work for Lacuna Festivals by land artist, Simon Turner.

As part of her work in creative education, Sarah-Jane plans and delivers participatory arts projects, often aimed at those for who there may be significant barriers to engagement. In addition, Sarah-Jane runs a publishing company, Next Generation Publications, that publishes visual books created by and for children and young people. Past books are held in the British library collections as well as in local libraries, schools and community centres.  

Simon is a self-taught land artist, eco-friendly jewellery designer and photographer with an interest in reducing our impact on the planet. 

Land art interventions are an important part of Simon's practice which he uses as an opportunity to draw attention to everyday landscapes.  Simon is also an eco-friendly designer and set up PNEÜ! to showcase his jewellery designs, created predominantly from waste rubber products including bicycle tyres and inner-tubes. He is continually developing his knowledge of working with waste products, to create new pieces of sculpture, interior decor and jewellery; experimenting and exploring with new ideas for upcycling. 

PHOTOGRAPHY AND WELLNESS, EMPOWERMENT FROM 

Kathryn Chapman is a portrait and self portrait photographer and speaker based near London. She is a passionate 'felt-sense' advocate, with utilisation of innovative processes such as Freedom Shoots and Soul Centered Branding. Kathryn is one of 100 UK photographers chosen for the 2020 Vision Project, as well as her images features in Tatler, Hello! And Equal Magazines.

Glen Williams spent twenty-six years in law enforcement working as a patrol officer, detective, and trainer. He has conducted trainings for law enforcement and civilians in scuba diving, police and evidence diving, underwater post-blast investigation, firearms, patrol rifle, active shooter response, and CPR. He is the author of Bridging The Gap:  barnesandnoble.com/w/bridging-the-gap-glen-williams/1139072172

Mental Wellness Perspective: Young Carers

Marcia Knight-Latter with Anum Farooq

Marcia is a Marketing Executive with One Vision Health, as well as publishing a poetry chapbook entitled 'Ramblings External' with Sampson Low and featured poems in various online publications such as 3:AM Magazine and The Seethingographer.  

Sarah-Jane Mason  studied for a BA (Hons) Fine Art at Liverpool John Moore's University and DipCipris in Fine Art at the Cyprus College of Art. Continuing her studies, she focused on creative education, completing a PGCE (Art & Design) at the University of Leeds  and a Post-16 Teaching Certificate at Cyprus College of Art.

Her role as the director of the Lacuna Art Festival is the focus of our conversation. 

Mental Health Conversations: Practical Mental Wellness

Katie Sanford, a writer who uses her experiences with mental and emotional wellness like schizoaffective disorder to break down stigma through speaking and writing, including in her blog, Not Like the Others, Katie is a staunch mental health advocate.

Anum Farooq interviews Katie Sanford in a candid and frank discussion, challenging stigmas, breaking barriers, stereotypes and taboos.