Lizzie Keen is an artist who represents Backlit Gallery through their Pending Collective program. Originally from London, Lizzie is a multimedia artist who is currently studying for a BA degree in Fine Art at Loughborough University. Lizzie enjoys using her position at Pending Collective to work collaboratively with other organisations at events such as Young Hustlers, offering art opportunities for our community.

lizzie@connectingnotts.co.uk

Nikeria Tannis is a representative for Diversify Education and Communities CIC. Although she is currently studying Law with Criminology, she is also growing her graphic design business. When she isn’t building on her own creative practices or academic endeavours, she enjoys helping others do the same.

[email protected] 

Rickheim Tannis is a representative for Diversify Education and Communities CIC. Despite being just 13, he’s currently establishing clothing business and beginning his career in Design and Technology. As well as being an avid basketball player, Rackheim spends his free time investing finding new ways to positively impact local communities in Nottingham.

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I’m a graduate from the University of Nottingham with a BA in English. I now work in marketing for Lakeside Arts, and absolutely adore working across the galleries, theatre and music hall – never a dull day! I love writing terrible poems and even worse puns (they’re pun-ishable).

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I am an interdisciplinary artist based in Nottingham, having graduated in Fine Art from Sheffield Hallam University in 2020. I am currently involved in community arts, engaged with how sculpture and material play can be used to bring people together to provide a therapeutic, playful and transformative experience for those involved. 

[email protected] 

I am a musician from Nottingham. I was born in London and raised in Nottingham and I am friendly and curious. My favourite genre of music would probably be jazz.

Rajae represents the Nottingham Music Hub

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I graduated from NTU in 2019 with a degree in Theatre Design and currently work as a designer in Stoke-on-Trent whilst volunteering remotely for Freedom Foundation. I am passionate about making the arts and creativity more accessible for young people.

Katy represents the Freedom Foundation

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Charlie-Dawn is an actress, playwright and poet with a first class degree in Acting for Contemporary & Devised performance. She enjoys the open mic nights at Nottingham Playhouse and regularly lends her expertise as a dramaturge. Most recently, she advised a new play by a local playwright, Abigail Hutchison. 

Charlie-Dawn has worked with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, focusing on developing the craft of young people through facilitating workshops. 

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Abigail is a poet, workshop organiser, playwright and educator who is interested in the merging of personal and political writing.

Her journey began with the mouthy poetry collective at the age of 9 and now 10 years later, manifests in many different ways and alongside multiple organisations. These organisations include but are not limited to: UNESCO city of literature, Nottingham Playhouse and Writing East Midlands.

[email protected] 

I am a graphic designer based in Nottingham, hoping to work in Editorial design. I am a member of Ignite and my aim is to make art and creative events in the city more accessible. I am a graphic designer based in Nottingham, hoping to work in Editorial design.  I am a member of Ignite and my aim is to make art and creative events in the city more accessible.

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Lucy recently graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Fine Art. She won a Nottingham Young Creative Award in 2017 with a portrait painting and continues to work with portraiture in her practice. Alongside being a part of Notts Creatives, she has done work experience in London, set up her own business, exhibited and sold artwork. she now works as a Graphic Designer. Lucy represented Notts Creatives from Sept 2020-Sept 2021.

Keelan is a musician and composer from Beeston, Nottingham. His favourite genres of music are Jazz and Classical. He was volunteering for Nottingham Music Hub before starting a degree in Music at Cambridge University and represented Nottingham Music Hub from Sept 2020-Sept 2021.

Artist and activist, Gabriel’s work is about living in a world not designed for you, queer survival, embracing pain, and resisting power structures through community. Gabriel recently graduated from NTU with a degree in Fine Art and has been an active member of Pending Collective at BACKLIT Gallery. Gabriel represented Backlit from Sept 2020-Sept 2021.

I am a recent graduate of NTU with a degree in Psychology (and I also have an immense passion for singing). Currently, I work with the university in the culture department and my interest in supporting creative opportunities for young people has evolved since Covid-19, as the pandemic highlighted the importance of artistic spaces.

Roma represents Nottingham Trent University

I recently finished my Masters in Product Design and Manufacture at the UoN and currently work as a Learning and Marketing Intern. My aim is to learn about opportunities in the Arts sector and work to combine my love of art with my engineering degree in creating positive spaces for vulnerable groups and societies.

Daniella represents Nottingham Contemporary

With a First Class Drama Degree, I am a performer and performance-maker who loves developing new queer and womxn led work. I do this through my theatre company Category: Peach – where we aim to SLAY injustices with our art. I also slay injustices as the Chair of Nottingham Playhouse’s youth board, as well as run workshops and performances there.

Octavia represents Nottingham Playhouse.

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I am currently in my third year of my Fine Art Degree at NTU, my work explores themes of Materiality, Time and Labour through the process of knitting. I am also part of the young people’s group named Pending Collective at Backlit gallery – we aim to serve the community and provide art events and experiences for all.

Mary represents the Backlit Gallery

I’m a digital illustrator and animator currently studying on an art foundation course. My main interest is in 2D animation which I’m hoping to develop a career in. I’m a member of the Notts Creatives who aim to make art more accessible for teenagers in the pandemic.

Ava represents the Notts Creatives