Lucy MacLeod, Interim Chair
Lucy is a freelance creative practitioner, arts educator, founder and Creative Director of Outpost Arts, a rural arts organisation based in Langholm. Being on the ‘front-line’ of rural arts gives Lucy a clear perspective of the ongoing difficulties and obstacles faced by artists and arts organisations including COVID-19.
Lucy is passionate about the success of artists, makers and culture/arts organisations in the region, and their ability to positively impact on our communities. Lucy believes wholeheartedly in DGU’s strategy to create a strong and visible network which supports, facilitates, and champions the arts, creating easy access points for potential funding/opportunities.
Lucy hopes that her background would help DGU form clear strategies regarding development, delivery, marketing and fundraising, potentially pinpointing new opportunities to support and promote the region’s creative practitioners and arts organisations.
Lucy is passionate about the success of artists, makers and culture/arts organisations in the region, and their ability to positively impact on our communities. Lucy believes wholeheartedly in DGU’s strategy to create a strong and visible network which supports, facilitates, and champions the arts, creating easy access points for potential funding/opportunities.
Lucy hopes that her background would help DGU form clear strategies regarding development, delivery, marketing and fundraising, potentially pinpointing new opportunities to support and promote the region’s creative practitioners and arts organisations.
Treasurer, Yvonne Barber
Yvonne is the Centre Manager of a community arts organisation ‘A’ the Airts’ based in
Sanquhar, she has been in post for six years. As well as being the Centre Manager she
uses her performing arts background to lead the two youth theatre groups based at the
Centre. Yvonne has over thirty years’ experience in project management and education.
Yvonne has been involved in the arts since she was a young girl back in Liverpool where
her interest was triggered by attending Knowsley Youth Theatre. She then went to
Liverpool Theatre School and was a post-sixteen performing arts teacher for many
years.
Yvonne is interested in all aspects of the arts and is committed to DGU and the clear
goals of the organisation. Having relocated to Dumfries and Galloway over six years ago
she works in partnership with many artists and arts venues. She hopes her passion for
the arts supports the work of DGU.
Sanquhar, she has been in post for six years. As well as being the Centre Manager she
uses her performing arts background to lead the two youth theatre groups based at the
Centre. Yvonne has over thirty years’ experience in project management and education.
Yvonne has been involved in the arts since she was a young girl back in Liverpool where
her interest was triggered by attending Knowsley Youth Theatre. She then went to
Liverpool Theatre School and was a post-sixteen performing arts teacher for many
years.
Yvonne is interested in all aspects of the arts and is committed to DGU and the clear
goals of the organisation. Having relocated to Dumfries and Galloway over six years ago
she works in partnership with many artists and arts venues. She hopes her passion for
the arts supports the work of DGU.
Julian Watson
Julian has over thirty years’ experience working in the visual arts – encompassing museum and exhibition curating, art conservation, arts centre management, historic property and land management, archive development and art publishing, as well as being an artist and illustrator with a particular interest in the link between word and image.
He lives in Dumfries and Galloway and has active connections in Northern England and Northern Ireland. He works in consultancy with an emphasis on change-of-use in historic buildings and whole-community development though action planning and regeneration.
Living and working in Dumfries and Galloway has strengthened and deepened his understanding of issues facing rural communities which exist away from modern conurbations - and how all the arts can and do reflect and enhance our experience of these, often in remarkably abundant ways.
He lives in Dumfries and Galloway and has active connections in Northern England and Northern Ireland. He works in consultancy with an emphasis on change-of-use in historic buildings and whole-community development though action planning and regeneration.
Living and working in Dumfries and Galloway has strengthened and deepened his understanding of issues facing rural communities which exist away from modern conurbations - and how all the arts can and do reflect and enhance our experience of these, often in remarkably abundant ways.
Frank Hayes
Frank has broad and varied experience as a photographer, illustrator and environmentalist as well as being the founder and managing director of For Enjoyment CIC. Through his work with FE Frank has seen much success and recognition, including becoming a finalist for the D&G Culture Champion Award and has produced artworks in partnership with Whizz-Kidz, now installed in the First Minister of Scotland’s office. Frank’s experience has given him a keen insight into the arts sector in Dumfries and Galloway.
For Enjoyment have been busy over the last year establishing a base in Elgin in partnership with the Moray Well-being Hub, and this led to wider participation across Morayshire and Speyside. Frank is committed to nurturing the artistic ability within everyone and improving mental and social health, confidence and wellbeing through the power of art and creativity.
For Enjoyment have been busy over the last year establishing a base in Elgin in partnership with the Moray Well-being Hub, and this led to wider participation across Morayshire and Speyside. Frank is committed to nurturing the artistic ability within everyone and improving mental and social health, confidence and wellbeing through the power of art and creativity.
Barbara Chalmers
I grew up in south-west Scotland near Stranraer and as a child, was enthralled by the fabulous queerness of visiting artists… glorious, glamorous, towering men in tights, signing my Scottish-Ballet-on-tour programme. I wanted some of that. So I’ve worked in TV, the arts, in galleries, theatres and concert halls in Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Paisley. I’ve been consulting for a decade in the arts and public sector. In 2022, I came full circle by taking up a role ‘back home’, developing Stranraer’s Place Plan where we’ve secured funding for the town’s first arts centre. I’m a swimmer, a Humanist, a sambista, a queer champion with a death/rites side-hustle (too long a story).
Catriona McGhie
Catriona was born and raised in Stranraer and graduated from Perth College UHI with an Honours
Degree in Popular Music in 2017 before returning to Dumfries and Galloway. She developed a keen
interest in Event Management during her time away and volunteered at events such as the
Hebridean Celtic Festival and Celtic Connections.
Catriona has been involved with Stranraer RNLI Park Fest since 2016, both as a member and leader of the Young Guns Team, and more recently the overall Event Manager. She is Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival’s Young Promoters Group and Stranraer Music Town Committee, and is also Tutor for Stranraer Guitar Club Juniors.
Catriona has an eclectic taste in music, but as a performer has an interest in Scottish Traditional
Music, and in 2017 released her debut album, Òran, as part of her Degree project.
Degree in Popular Music in 2017 before returning to Dumfries and Galloway. She developed a keen
interest in Event Management during her time away and volunteered at events such as the
Hebridean Celtic Festival and Celtic Connections.
Catriona has been involved with Stranraer RNLI Park Fest since 2016, both as a member and leader of the Young Guns Team, and more recently the overall Event Manager. She is Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival’s Young Promoters Group and Stranraer Music Town Committee, and is also Tutor for Stranraer Guitar Club Juniors.
Catriona has an eclectic taste in music, but as a performer has an interest in Scottish Traditional
Music, and in 2017 released her debut album, Òran, as part of her Degree project.
Matt Baker
Matt Baker has been a full-time public artist for over 25 years. He was Lead Artist for the City of Inverness from 2006-10 and led the arts strategy for the Gorbals (Glasgow) regeneration project from 1999-2005.
Since 2011 he has focused on long-term activist strategies for integrating creative practice into the social, economic and political structures of his home region in South West Scotland, this is called Creative Placemaking. He founded, and is based with, The Stove Network in the heart of Dumfries town centre. Matt is the Interim Chair of the National Partnership for Culture, a member of Dumfries and Galloway Economic Leadership Group, Chair of Social Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway and Chair of LIFT D+G
Since 2011 he has focused on long-term activist strategies for integrating creative practice into the social, economic and political structures of his home region in South West Scotland, this is called Creative Placemaking. He founded, and is based with, The Stove Network in the heart of Dumfries town centre. Matt is the Interim Chair of the National Partnership for Culture, a member of Dumfries and Galloway Economic Leadership Group, Chair of Social Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway and Chair of LIFT D+G
Mandy Green
Mandy is an active musician, performer, actor/producer and member of folk band Life O’Reilly, also Check the Diary. Mandy has been a member of Stranraer Drama Club since the early 90’s both on stage and off producing and directing. For several years she was also a member of Stranraer Music Town and after a 10 year involvement has recently stepped down as chair and organiser of Stranraer RNLI Park Fest Music Festival.
Mandy is employed as an Officer by Dumfries and Galloway Council, she also coaches young people in guitar and performance both privately and voluntarily with Stranraer Guitar Club. Mandy has always been a strong advocate for the youth of D&G and believes we have a depth of talent in the region. Mandy understands COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the Arts and would like to contribute to its aid and recovery.
Mandy is employed as an Officer by Dumfries and Galloway Council, she also coaches young people in guitar and performance both privately and voluntarily with Stranraer Guitar Club. Mandy has always been a strong advocate for the youth of D&G and believes we have a depth of talent in the region. Mandy understands COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the Arts and would like to contribute to its aid and recovery.
