Annelies James

I am a children’s playwright, poet and community creative writing facilitator. With fifteen years experience working in the sector, I have had multiple plays for primary school age children to perform published and have had works for children and families commissioned from theatres and arts organisations. My playwrighting focus is on inclusive history that is curriculum-adjacent or locally relevant and I’m particularly passionate about amplifying the stories of marginalised women and girls from the past. I work with schools and in the community delivering a range of bespoke workshops to young people, families and to those living with dementia and their carers.

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 am a professional visual artist and creative producer, celebrated for vibrant, layered explorations of colour. Guided by synaesthetic perception, my meticulously crafted abstract works transform sound and emotion into striking abstractions that captivate with both energy and depth. I collaborate with musicians and sound designers closely and have exhibited internationally, with work represented by Saatchi. I have over 20 years of working in the Rushmoor community as a creative producer, founded the music charity Forward 4 Wiz Trust in 2007 and currently work at Aldershot’s West End Centre as the Community Programmes Manager.