Hannah Read

I am an artist living on the edge of The New Forest. I use folklore, folksong, old customs, games and rituals to explore contemporary issues particularly social and economic disparity. Country living can be a strange mix of bounty and hopelessness but when people have access to their own strong and sinuous roots, their own history and stories they have anchorage and hope. I seek the stories that connect us and as an artist I’m thinking of different ways of pinning them up on the metaphorical village hall notice board for all to see. Alongside my own practice I run drawing workshops as The Village Hall Draw and community workshops around the New Forest working with Culture in Common and Hampshire Cultural Heritage amongst others.

Hi I’m Kelly, a resin crafter (Resin Expectations), author (Beyond the Ordinary, Crafting in a Crisis, and Selling at Craft Events – A beginners Guide) and director of The Crafters Collective – Princes Mead Farnborough. As a female, neurodivergent, creative business owner, my mission is to help people be their authentic selves. Whether that’s with my creations – inspired by goth, fantasy and steampunk genres – or giving other crafters a space to sell their work, and express themselves through their creations, I want to make the benefits of creativity accessible to all. Crafting has been a focus throughout my life, whenever things have been difficult, and I want to share its mental health benefits with everyone.

I am an actor, writer, director and workshop leader based in Salisbury. As an actor I have worked for over 20 years in theatre, touring nationally and also in the West End. I am currently developing a play called ‘Becoming Simone’ with Mayflower Studios, Forest Forge and Stage Door. In 2023 I wrote and produced a short film, ‘Living Loud’. This was selected for screening at Portsmouth Short Cuts Festival. I am also a Presentation and Communication coach, having worked across many sectors including finance, Ed Tech and charities. I have also designed and led training in communication using roleplay as a learning tool.