Cheryl Grindle - Chairman, Artist

Originally trained in Graphic Design at Hastings College of Arts and Technology, Cheryl went into designing and producing graphical murals for children's bedrooms by commission, part time whilst raising her own family. During this period she also taught art workshops for adults and children through local organised events and a drop in centre where she was the co-ordinator. Besides drawing and painting she taught mosaic art, stained glass, glass painting, papier mache, silk painting and encaustic art, whilst continually building new skills to include writing, story telling and poetry.

In 1994 Cheryl became a full time muralist with several commissions coming from theatre companies and parents of young children wanting decorated nurseries. She also undertook prop construction, paint effects, wood staining and stencilling. She has since pioneered South East Murals.

In 1998 Cheryl had decided that she would seek to express herself further by taking a Fine Art Degree at the Kent Institute of Art and Design. She was able to increase her repertoires further to include printmaking, photography, filmmaking and sculpture.

Following this Cheryl then returned to Hastings College as a lecturer of Art and Design for Vocational and 6th Form students. She has co-ordinated and run workshops for the Children's University, school projects and her local community.

Throughout her growing career as an artist in her own right, she has been ambitious in development to gain more skills such as jewellery making and creating a new programme for young people to become skilled in the arts and crafts arena.

She has exhibited her paintings as a member of the Hastings Arts Forum and the New Riviera Group and been a local celebrity through the press and continually increasing her exposure to the public at large. Her silk paintings have become very fashionable, being networked throughout the south east of England via organised craft events, and a variety of local galleries and venues.

In addition to her role as a creative director, Cheryl is an accomplished digital photographer, from which she draws much inspiration before transforming her images into breathtaking murals and paintings.

Mark Daniel - Treasurer, Artist

Mark enjoys socialising and spending time with his family. He also paints using various mediums and subjects, reading both non-fiction and fictional books and enjoying nature.

Between 1990 and 2001 Mark was involved in the following projects

The British Arts Council, Mexico
Prominent Art Exhibition as part of a cultural arts exchange between Britain and Mexico.

Human Rights Organisation, Worldwide
Peaceful protests for SWAPO against the old South African Regime and make the youth from across the world aware of the plight of the people under the government at the time.

Community Projects, Portugal
Worked on projects building sustainable homes for the street homeless. Designing and painting a mural for the children's park.

Education and Training
1982    Hastings College of Arts and Technology
            Pre-BA and A level Art / History
1985    Winchester School of Art
            Batchelor of Art, Fine Art and History of Art
1985    National Opera House, Brussels
            Equivalent to a BA
1985    Trinity College, London
            TESOL Teaching Certificate
2005    Hastings College of Arts and Technology
            C & G Numeracy and Literacy

Clare Mitchell - Vice-Chairman

Clare took her foundation course in art and design in 1996 at Hastings College of Arts and Technology, following it with several Post Foundation courses in order to pursue her interest in life drawing.

She now works independently, painting and drawing. Her subject matter is primarily landscape, abstract and portraiture. Clare prefers working outside, using the British countryside as her inspiration.

Her main influences are Constable, Auerbach, Guston and Hitchens.

Clare has exhibited in the following shows:

Turner Open, Hastings Museum - February 1999
Second Post, Marine Gallery, St Leonard's - June 1999
Coastal Currents, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - October 1999
On The Terrace, St Mary's Terrace, Hastings - November 2000
Renshaw Gallery, West Hill Arcade, Hastings - August 2001
Bright Ideas Gallery, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne - August 2001 to 2002
End of Year Show, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - November 2002
Rye Festival, Martello Bookshop, Rye - September 2003
Rye Society, Mermaid Street, Rye - August 2004
Second Nature, Claremont, Hastings - August 2002 - 2004
October Group, Bourne Hall, Hastings - October 2004
Affordable Art, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - March 2005
Is Drawing Boring? SOCO Hastings - June 2005
Royal Minature Society, Mall Galleries, London - June 2005
Portraiture Now, SOCO Hastings - July 2005
Rye Society, Mermaid Street - August 2005
Affordable Art, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - April 2006
Minatures, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - July 2006
Committee Show, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - October 2006
Affordable Art, Stables Art Gallery, Hastings - April 2007
Present time, Nick Whistler, Battle - 2007