Meet the Team

Lucy Norton - Executive Director (Interim)

In a nutshell, my role is to ensure The Art House runs smoothly every day! Managing our operations, finance and overall strategy, it’s my responsibility to make sure The Art House is as wonderful as possible for our visitors and community of artists.

I started working at The Art House back in 2018 so now having the chance to drive the organisation and help it to thrive well into the future is an honour. The whole team are all so passionate about what we stand for, inclusivity, accessibility and delivering excellent contemporary art projects for everyone in Wakefield and beyond. I’m very proud to work with such amazing people everyday.

Damon Jackson-Waldock - Programme Director

I am a curator, creative producer and arts programmer based in Yorkshire. I joined the team as the Art House’s Programme Director in 2021.

My role is to support and nurture the wide range of creative talent regionally and internationally without barriers and steer exciting exhibitions and residences in our gallery spaces and within the community. Previously I worked as Deputy Curator at Yorkshire Sculpture Park for 11 years and was Creative Producer on the Oak Project between 2020-2021.

Laura Taylor - Commercial and Welcome Director (Interim)

As the Commercial & Welcome Manager I overseeing the Coffee House and Shop that we have here at The Art House. I currently look after all things commercial on site.

We not only have delicious food and amazing coffee in our Coffee House, but we also provide a welcoming safe environment for everyone to enjoy. We have a range of unique products made by independent makers and small businesses in our shop, also stocking a range of wares made here by our studio holders and members of our Maker Spaces.

Amelia Baron - Curator and Programme Coordinator

As part of my role I’m dedicated to shaping and supporting our creative projects with a focus on inclusivity within the arts. A key aspect of my job is ensuring that our programme is welcoming and accessible to Wakefield’s diverse communities, including young people, those with disabilities, and individuals from asylum-seeking and diaspora backgrounds. It’s incredibly rewarding to help bring the arts to everyone, making creativity a tool for empowerment and connection.

Sophie Gratton - Marketing and Communications Officer

As the Marketing and Communications Officer I do all things content creation from social content, graphic design, filming, editing, writing and uploading lots of fun media that helps the public to see how brilliant The Art House and the people behind it are!

The Art House’s work towards access and inclusion in the arts is something I really resonated with and that is what initially drew me towards the organisation. From the visitors to members of staff and studio holders, I have never met a group of such accepting and kind creatives, The Art House feels like home to me and I am so proud to be a part of the work we do here.

Kirstie Williams - Maker Space Manager

My role involves overseeing the Maker Spaces which include the Print Studio, Darkroom and Ceramics Studio. I work with our fab team of technicians to offer membership and open access to each space. I also plan and organise our creative course programme, working with different freelance tutors to deliver exciting workshops and courses for members of the public, schools and community groups.
The Art House is a wonderful mix of creative and inspiring people from all different walks of life. I love the community here and meeting new people all the time.

Hannah Way - Ceramics Technician

As the Ceramic Studio Coordinator my job has been building and developing the ceramic studio here at the Art House. When I’m not behind a computer I’m getting mucky in the studio doing the day to day tasks as a ceramics technician, always pottering about. I also run workshops and courses to create our own Pottery Thrown Down in the middle of Wakefield.

Ellie Way - Print Technician

I’m on hand to assist our lovely Print Studio Members, Studio Holders and resident artists with their practice and projects. If anyone has any technical printing matters or is curious about leaning new print processes, I’m your lady!

When I’m not working in the Print Studio I’m developing my own collections of prints and commissioned projects in my own studio at
The Art House.

Emily Ryalls - Darkroom Coordinator

I designed and set up our Darkroom, which is the  UK’s only fully wheelchair accessible, in 2021 and continue to develop the space, supporting members, leading workshops, and sharing analogue processes with the local community. I also lead on lens based projects within our wider programme, such as exhibitions and events which bring people together to celebrate contemporary photography.

Seanna Doonan - Bookings Coordinator

I joined The Art House as a Studio Holder in 2022, it wasn’t long before I joined the front of house team. From there my role has now adapted into the Bookings Coordinator where I am responsible for overseeing and organising all of our room hire bookings.

I love being a member of The Art House team, their support has helped me to grow in confidence and take on new challenges. Its great to meet new people everyday, particularly in such a warm and welcoming space

Jessica Kendall - Retail Development Manager

I first came to work at The Art House in order to set up a unique retail and café space for visitors to enjoy. This has gone from strength to strength and is now a go to place for people looking to enjoy our create offer, a cup of coffee and shop locally made gifts and homewares.

After taking some time off on maternity leave, I now focus on running our online and physical shop, working with local makers, exhibiting artists and creatives to stock a range of unique products. I also enjoy working with the programme team to arrange retail events and exhibitions such as our festive Makers Wonderland and our popular Crafted Makers Market.

Dianne Saxon - Arts and Health Programme Manager

I joined the Team in 2022 to manage an exciting Arts and Health programme, called Re-Emerge. Working with professional artists and in partnership with local organisations, we provide creative health group workshops to allow participants to connect with others, share experiences and engage in artistic activities to help improve health and wellbeing. Re-emerge is an externally funded programme which currently includes Maternal Journal and Men’s Creative Shed.

Mike Ainsley - Head of Estates & Facilities

I oversee the operations of the building, prepping The Art House for any events and programmes taking place, and supporting the rest of the team with anything they need. If it’s broke, I’ll try to fix it!

Kev Todd - Facilities Assistant

I support with building operations, setting up exhibitions and building whatever the team needs, anything from temporary walls to giant 12ft party rings. You can usually find me in the wood workshop!

Claire Dunne - Technology and Admin Assistant

I’m on hand to help with all the techy questions, everything from exhibition setup to internal IT systems. I love investigating the ways in which we can merge new technologies with our grade II listed building and making sure all our internal infrastructure runs smoothly.

Linda Fielding - Studio of Sanctuary Programme Coordinator

I coordinate the Studio of Sanctuary programme which runs and facilitates a wide variety of Skillshare sessions, enabling people from all communities to connect or reconnect with their creativity and skills. In partnership with the Gallery of Sanctuary, we offer inclusion and support to people in the asylum process and encourage integration throughout The Art House and beyond.

Kate Owens - Welcome Team Supervisor (Interim)

I joined The Art House in 2023 after moving to the area, I found a creative community through The Art House’s Print Studio and before long I joined the team officially!

Working here allows me to combine my love for food, art and engaging with all the lovely people that visit us.

Bryony Finnigan

I found out about The Art House through one of our Open Studios events, whilst attending I thought that the team was really friendly and it seemed like such an inviting place to work. Not long after that I joined the Welcome Team.

After leaving university I felt like I lost my creative community and I’ve found that again through TAH, I love talking to all of the artists I meet here.