I am a multi-disciplinary visual artist, creative educator and mentor. I have been teaching since 2008 (mainly young adults), but I enjoy working with children and people of all ages, building their confidence and independence through hands-on discovery, creativity and ideas discussion. My own creative practice combines painting, mixed media, contemporary design/craft, installation and sculpture to explore social themes. My first degree was in Three-dimensional Design, where I specialized in Glass (with Woods, Metals and Plastics), and my MA: Arts in a Social Context, explored the role of art in the public realm. I exhibit regularly in the region and beyond, as well as mentor, tutor and run workshops part-time. There are benefits learning from a practising artist - the joy of discovery never leaves me and I love witnessing a similar joy in my students as they find their own unique visual language.
I originally trained as a sculptor, I love the physicality, context and provenance of materials, and employ these to achieve balance in my own work. I lean towards historic and contemporary architectural forms, shapes, structures and silhouettes, and am working on a series of architecturally-inspired ‘vessels' that represent my own home and family, which are due to be exhibited in an installation this Summer. My work can be viewed on Instagram: @veritynewmanartist and my blog:
I recently left my last teaching role as Teacher of DT and Art in a secondary school to focus more on workshops, tutoring and mentoring. I am currently working with students who are not in school to develop their confidence and help reconnect to education, accessing much of the core subjects through creative activities.
Around this role I work as an Associate Artist for the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich, as well as a freelance NEACO mentor for Norwich University of the Arts. I also run occasional art and craft workshops in local venues for the Crafty Hen around East Anglia and Artpocket Studios in Norwich. I have solid experience of teaching Art, Design & Craft through Zoom and Google Classroom during Lockdown.
My teaching style is to help students develop personal themes in their work, linking to others' examples through experimentation with a wide range of traditional and alternative techniques and materials. I treat the creative process as play, moving from 2D to 3D and back again, embracing mistakes, rather than being afraid of them. I am an inclusive practitioner and have worked with people from all backgrounds, social and educational differences and value these in everyone. I am keen to utilise and build on this experience to help others and have a wealth of experience and skills to offer.