Dry Water: Artist's Biographies

Paula Turner is a choreographer, performer, director and facilitator of cross art form work with a specialism in devising, dance, physical theatre and improvisation. From 1992 – 2004 she regularly performed her own work and also performed with companies internationally as well as within the UK . In addition she has 15 years of experience working with organisations such as Creative Partnerships, Equal Arts, Isis Arts, Northern Stage, The Children's Fund, The Customs House, Sure Start, The Sage Gateshead, St George's Hospital, Early Arts North East, Cleveland Theatre Company and The Karaoke Opera Company.

Paula has developed a methodology, which invites participants to source movement and performance material from their own experiences and felt senses rather than imposing techniques or styles. Her current work has looked at the articulacy of the body; it's form and function and how we validate, support, celebrate and include the physical and verbal languages of children. The development of a speaking body and an embodied voice are key to her practice.

She is a practitioner and teacher of Action Theatre (a training system and practice of physical theatre improvisation) and has trained extensively with its originator Ruth Zaporah. She uses Action Theatre principles with all age groups and abilities. The practice integrates mind and body and leads toward spontaneous and conscious expression.  The improvisational exercises are simple, playful and challenging leading to greater awareness of self and appreciation of others.

Paula was lead Artist at Marine Park Primary school (South Shields) 2004-8 working closely with staff in The Foundation Unit. Paula implemented new approaches to motor skill training and developmental movement as well as building a series of case studies that helped to inform creative curriculum development. She has participated in two International study groups and visited the preschools of Reggio Emilia ( Italy ) and the Forest Schools of Odense ( Denmark ). This has allowed her to contextualise her work in Early Years and to participate in an international network that is dedicated to child centred learning. Paula is a Creative Agent for Creative Partnerships North and South Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead.

Frances Anderson is a visual artist. She takes her inspiration from the environment and in particular the North East coast. She is fascinated with the elements and their impact on us our senses and perceptions. She is also interested in the relationship between textiles and other art forms and has been developing sculptural and textural kites creating sky galleries. For the last 5 years she has been interested in multi disciplinary collaborative work.

Her work focuses of exploration of materials, sculpture, textiles, visual expression, play, creative experience, journeys and the environment.

She has worked across all age groups, and in many different contexts, schools, community health and hard to reach groups. She has been involved in training and evaluation including reflective practice.

She has worked with schools to develop arts/textiles curriculum at foundation and primary level and has been an Artsmark Validator for the Arts Council as well as a Hub4 trainer.

She has worked with a large number of organisations including, Customs House, Creative Partnerships, Apna Ghar, MLA North East, Infinite Arts, St Nicholas Hospital Newcastle, Arts Council NE.

She has produced 3 major exhibitions with the Customs House in South Shields. Her kites, installations and textiles have been exhibited in Italy, France and throughout the UK.