Alia

I’m an artist and creative producer with a wealth of experience of founding arts ventures and running arts venues, programmes, events, exhibitions and festivals – with a focus on fun and innovative approaches to animating underused spaces. Most recently I’ve had the privilege of setting up Saint John’s Arts’ Programme, collaborating with a large Education Trust to provide new exciting opportunities for young people to get involved in the arts in Gosport. I’ve also worked as Producer for Journeys Festival International, and held previous roles at ArtSpace Portsmouth, Liverpool Biennial and founded The Royal Standard (gallery, studios and social workspace), and Mighty Oak Creative Agency.

Damian is the Hampshire Poet 2024-26. He works with arts organisations, councils, schools, museums and community groups to get people to connect & have fun performing  and writing poetry. He also does commissions and residencies.  Damian is an experienced spoken word poet. He’s performed at events and festivals around the UK (Royal Albert Hall, Edingburgh Fringe, Brighton Fringe, WOMAD) and The British School in Rome. ” With written and spoken word, images and performance I explore how we live now: with each other, the more-than-human world and our changing climate.

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.