Alia

Joanna Blossom is based in Alverstoke and offers tailor-made craft workshops for children and families of all ages and abilities.  A self taught artist, she has provided craft workshops for various companies and locations including The Portsmouth Guildhall, The Kings Theatre (Portsmouth), Elson Community Library & Hub, Chichester Festival Theatre, Croydon City Council and local libraries & primary schools in and around Hampshire. Joanna has been also been involved in funded projects such as Culture Spark for Chichester District Council, Fairytales at Furzey for the Minstead Trust, Pompey HAF project at Portsmouth City Museum and  Portsmouth Creates, We Shine Light Festival.

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.

I am a musician, songwriter and creative practitioner inspired by the landscapes, folklore and communities of the New Forest and the surrounding counties of Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. My practice centres on bringing people together through music. Current projects include hosting regular ‘From Story to Song’ workshops exploring local folklore and songs, facilitating ‘Songwriters’ Circles’ and workshops at Coda Music & Arts Trust, and directing The Chicken Soup community choir and ‘Drop In and Sing’ sessions across BCP, Dorset and Hampshire. I also work in creative development with children and young adults, supporting confidence, creativity and self-expression through songwriting and music-making.