Alia

I am a freelance heritage professional, dedicated to supporting museums to connect with communities and tell stories that matter. I am experienced in (i) oral history interviewing and museum audio production (ii) interpretation and exhibition development, (iii) co-curation and co-production; (iv) project management; (v) training & facilitation (vi) securing grant funding; (vii) audience development; and (viii) charity sector leadership. I am based in Hampshire and work throughout the south of England and the Midlands. I am passionate about the power of museums to promote wellbeing and place-shaping. I have an affinity to the Solent region and especially enjoy helping a wide variety of people to flourish through community-led participation.

I am an audio-artist that uses music hardware (no laptop) to create music which I adapt live- effectively remixing my own music in real time. I tend towards the techno genre but relish the challenge of creating site-specific music such as I did as part of the Q121 project- playing music live in the historic wind tunnel in Farnborough to a paying audience. I also like to create unique sounding instruments or sound sources using contact microphones or by “circuit-bending” older electronic toys. By creating unique instruments this way- old, unwanted toys can be sustainably given new leases of life and become both sonically and artistically pleasing or interesting. I like to collaborate with other artists.    

I help people discover the wellbeing benefits of creativity through mindful art workshops.  The focus is on the exploring techniques that calm the mind, everything is abstract so there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.  Sessions are suitable for beginners and those with experience. I encourage clients to leave perfectionism behind and simply enjoy the process of playing with watercolours, doodles and mandalas – although people love their finished pieces too! I discovered mindful art whilst in recovery from brain surgery, I passionately believe it helped me with mood, overwhelm, self-esteem, resilience and focus.  Mind Unwind combines my background of 25 years in education as a teacher and education adviser with my own lived experience.