Ruth studied Fine Art in Birmingham, followed by an MA in Photography at Falmouth, where she was identified as one of the best MA students in the British Journal of Photography. Her credits include book and album covers, and she has taught photography and art at all levels to all abilities. Her work in varied institutions has reinforced her interest in how mankind makes pictures and in sharing the skills which give meaning to her life. She now runs a social enterprise CIC and works freelance as an artist.
Exhibitions, Publications, Awards and Commissions
2020 DIASPAURA, Winter festival of light – UV installation
2019 REFLECT Arts + Minds project – Time to sit and stare, photographic intervention
2017 Signs and Wonders – Winter festival of light, UV large scale paintings
2017 Falmouth Town Council – Tea documentary for tea festival
2016 Arts for Health South West Awards – shortlisted for community project
2016 Box and Cox – Handwork commission for wedding services
2016 Access Art – Online contributor
2015 Tough Dough – Harveys of Bond Street, Redruth
2014 Summerland – Gyllyngdune Gardens, Falmouth
2013 Constructed Worlds – Gyllyngdune Gardens, Falmouth
2012 The Sensory Trust – Dementia Uncovered Digital Commission
2011 Poldhu Mosaic – Poldhu Nursing Home
2009 Half stop Cornwall – Group show
2008 British Journal of Photography – Pick of the MA crop
2008 Photomonth London – Light Rain Show
2005 Goodbye Hessle Road by Daphne Glazer – Cover Photography
2005 Keeping the faith – documentary Book Photo editor
2004 The Afterglow by Anthony Cartwright – Cover Photography
2003 Lee Bank Studio – Birmingham Artists Show
1994 Elle Decoration – Spread on ABDAB candles
1993 Custard Factory Birmingham – Forty-eight not out show
Learning and Engagement
2020 Cornwall Council, Suicide prevention and innovation award smartphone photography
2020 Baring Foundation, Creatively Minded digital arts
Sept- Dec 2020 Falmouth Discover smartphone photography
April – Sept 2019 Smartline smartphone community social, people and places digital storytelling projects
Oct – Dec 2019 Treverbyn Hall smartphone photography project
Aug 2019 Cornwall Women’s Centre, Young empowered women – photography and digital wellbeing
Jun 2019 University of Exeter career zone – 1 day presentation community arts and outreach
Jan – Jul 2019 Cornwall Neighbourhoods for change – smartphone photography project
Aug – Oct 2018 Short courses ‘creativity in care’ for activity coordinators and residents at Live west, Plymouth
Sep – Oct 2018 Age UK Plymouth, short photography course and setup of Plymstock photography group
2017 – ongoing Make it Better CIC
Incorporation of Make it better (Mitber) CIC – Supporting communities to live well through the arts (mitber.com). Development of products and services for the care, housing, volunteer and social sectors.We enable communities to access quality arts and making activities, which we recognise and protect as human rights.
Oct 2017
Newave Arts Week Residency, Guns Village Primary, West Bromwich
2014- 2017
Happy Crafters Project, Miners Court, Redruth
Jul 2016
Truro College, Illustration A2, mural at Threemilestone Primary School
2013 – 2014
Gyllyngdune Gardens and Princess Pavilions Falmouth Artist in residence
Aug 2013
Age Concern Falmouth Sensory garden mural project
Oct 2013
The Big Draw ‘Gyllyngdune Gardens Scroll of Invention’ Falmouth
Oct – Dec 2012
Care2dance’ Intergenerational multi-disciplinary arts project with schools and care homes
Aug 2012
Arts for Health Cornwall and Scilly Isles, Memory Cafés, half-day arts projects for families
2009 -2017
11 freelance Artist run groups in the social care sector around Truro, Falmouth and Newquay
2009
Hall Green School – Birmingham Teacher of Art from year 7 to 11 GCSE, AS – A level
2008
Great Barr School – Teacher of Art and GCSE photography
Cadburys 6th Form College – Media Technician and Teacher of AS – A Level Photography
2009
Birmingham City University – Visiting Tutor for BA Hons Visual Communications
University College Falmouth – Visiting Tutor for MA Photography
1995-2007 Sandwell College, West Midlands
.8 Lecturer Teaching Creative Studies and Skills for Life to people with learning disabilities
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design tutor, History of Art and Contextual Studies and Life Drawing
Mentor for student teachers
2005 Dynamic Arts, West Midlands
Artist residencies with youth work teams Sandwell
2003-2005 Hays Agency
GCSE and A – A2 Level Art and Design part time
1996-2002 Birmingham Leisure Services
Drawing and Painting Tutor
1995 ABDAB Candles, Birmingham
Business setup, candle production and marketing
1988-1989 Madeline Coles Jewellers, London
Designer and Maker of Jewellery
Education
October 2019 0nwards
School for Social Entrepreneurs – trade up programme
Sept 2007- Jul 2008 University College Falmouth
MA Photography
Sept 1998- Jul 2000 Wolverhampton University
PGCE Further, Adult and Higher education
Sept 1991- Jul 1994 Birmingham Institute of Art and Design
BA Hons Fine Art
Sept 1989- Jul 1990 Bournemouth College of Art and Design
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Sept 1988- Jul 1989 Kingsway Polytechnic, London
YTS trainee Jewellery Design