MEET OUR people

Our people are a collection of makers and creatives who care passionately about their craft or the work that we do. Resident makers, a dedicated team of staff, trustees and our tutors and associate makers – they’re our people.  

If you would like to find out more about Making Space please get in touch or join us for one out our upcoming events. If you are interested in having a studio at Making Space, being an associate or trustee please send us an email, we'd love to hear from you.  

resident makers

KELLY OTTESEN
​resident maker

Kelly is a ceramist and folk artist specialising in hand-built sculpture and ceremonial ceramics. A teacher, facilitator and  storyteller with a passion for traditional crafts. She has been working with and teaching ceramics for twenty years, in and around the Portsmouth area.  Kelly takes inspiration from organic forms and colours. Her work is highly textured using foraged natural materials. Kelly is a small batch potter, each piece created with care, investing her intention in each part of the making process.

​HANNAH HORN
​resident maker

Hannah is a fine artist/illustrator. Her work draws inspiration from the natural world, while incorporating surreal and often fantastical elements. With an eye for composition and utilising a combination of paint and highly detailed pen and ink line-work, she creates elegant and beautiful images. Originally studying Fashion Illustration at London College of Fashion, Hannah has gone on to create artwork for publishing, advertising, fashion and branding. Her work illustrating Katherine Rundell’s The Explorer earned her Illustrator of the Year at the Children’s Book Awards 2018.

SHARON JUSTICE
​resident maker

Sharon is a designer/jeweller, working predominantly in silver, she uses diverse techniques ranging from forging, roller printing and etching to woven metals.  Often surface decoration, semi-precious stones, patination, and gold are used to accent her work.

​HELENA SYMES
​resident maker

While I was studying for my degree in Fine Art (Painting) I discovered a love of geometric forms, clean lines and colour. I have since travelled extensively in India and it was there that I began my jewellery making journey. I studied with a jeweller in Rajasthan over several years and continued to expand my knowledge and skills on my return to the UK. .
The discoveries I made as a painter continue to inspire my jewellery designs. I like to challenge myself when making pieces and enjoy incorporating other materials where I can. I work mainly with sterling silver and anodised aluminium, both hand dyed and upcycled elements.  ​

​JULIAN JEREMY 
​resident maker

Julian is a Hampshire-based British milliner who specialises in handmade bespoke hats and headpieces. Julian's focus is on creating pieces for clients that want to be noticed for their individuality and personal style. Using quality materials, Julian combines both traditional and contemporary millinery techniques, with meticulous attention to detail. The design directive is to always create pieces that flatter the wearer, whilst also complementing the occasion and the clothes.

​RICHARD WALKER
​resident maker

Richard studied gilding at the University of Portsmouth and has now been gilding for over ten years. As well as teaching the fine art of gilding to participants of all levels he now practises a full range of professional gilding services including for internal and external works, surface design and consultancy, heritage and architectural works, as well as gilding for interior design and historic monuments. Richard offers a range of classes in gilding, you can contact him here for more information.

​KATHRYN GREEN
resident maker

Kathryn Green is a freelance textile designer and lecturer. Her life and work experiences are diverse; each one contributing to her development and personal understanding, which she draws on for her textiles. Kathryn is currently exploring the traditional Japanese process of Shibori, which is a technique that uses methods of resistance within the dyeing process.
Kathryn Green graduated in 2007, with a First Class Honours degree in Fashion and Textiles. Since then she has been working as a freelance textile designer and lecturer in further education. Her life and work experiences are diverse, each one contributing to her development and personal understanding, which she draws on for her textiles, as she states, “I am my experiences.”

associate makers & tutors

tanya & Bethany Wood
wood & daughters
​associate maker/tutor

We are mother and daughter, Tanya & B - sharing our enthusiasm and passion, bringing together life-long interests, making things we love with love. Creativity for both of us has been a faithful friend. We are multidisciplinary artists, creative souls, living a colourful life by squeezing every drop of joy from each day.

kas williams 
​associate maker

I am a mixed media artist and I make sophisticated contemporary artworks from interesting collaborations of materials and methods. ​I love colour and for me it has a lyrical energy that I’ve always been drawn to. I also have a fascination with pattern and texture and the floating artworks are a way I have found to combine all three, creating artworks you can re-visit to discover something different each time. ​Music and sound are passions too and the visual associations they create are strong influences.  I see a similarity in the layering of colour shade and pattern with layering of sound tone and texture in composition.

elisa Dodd
​shake your glass
associate maker/tutor

I create glass homeware gifts and glass wall art. The techniques of kiln forming glass I use include fusing, slumping, casting and kiln carving, I am also familiar with the hot glass technique of lampworking. I believe my glass products and workshops bring colour and happiness to the people involved.
My quality homeware collections and art pieces will energize your style and bring a striking focus to your living spaces.

kath clay 
​associate maker

I am a self-taught silver clay artist, with many years experience making silver jewellery. I learnt how to use this amazing material in 2011 and went on to create Silver Magpie - a keepsake company. In 2020 I returned to my roots and found a passion for teaching silver clay workshops. I love sharing this knowledge, seeing the variety of creations made and watching reactions as it turns from clay to silver. 

catherine claasen
​associate maker/tutor

I make interesting textured and decorated ceramics, sometimes as useful pots, vases or bowls and sometimes just as beautiful things to hold and look at. I work with stoneware clay and glazes, throwing on a wheel and often adapting the shapes. My inspiration is nature and the surprising and wonderful patterns and forms I find everywhere.

staff

faye hughes
director

Faye has worked in leadership roles in arts and heritage from listed buildings to opera, theatre, film, fine art and crafts. Her aspiration is to create a warm and nurturing space for making and makers, driven by the belief that culture is for everyone. 
Experienced in revitalising and establishing organisations in the arts, heritage and charitable sectors, creative industries and across initiatives and small businesses. 
She works in supporting creative people to realise their potential and fulfil their aspirations, and to facilitate cultural engagement for those who believe the arts are not for them.
Faye joined Making Space in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Previously she was founding Artistic Director at the Fitzrovia Chapel.

ami hyde
​outreach project manager

Ami has worked at Making Space since it opened back in 2007. Over the years she has had a studio at Making Space, taught creative sessions, organises the outreach projects and now looks after the creative programming.

With a background in Fashion and Textiles and her own creative businesses Ami understands and see the importance of Making Space from all angles. She has a lifelong learning qualification and is a trained Arts Award Advisor.  
When not at Making Space Ami has her own wedding and events business Lo & Behold Bespoke and runs one of the hottest Wedding Fairs on the Southcoast!

bethany wood
​communications
​co-ordinator 

ken parry 
​finance manager 

kelly ottesen
kiln technician

peter levy
​technician

trustees

tara goddard
​chair

nick wood
treasurer

samantha dewar-english
​trustee

I bring extensive experience from the voluntary sector, having worked in roles across youth, animal welfare, neuro-disability, and infrastructure charities. My career has included positions in Fundraising, Regional and Infrastructure Development, Media Coordination, and as a Chief Executive. I believe strongly in the work that charities do and the positive outcomes they bring to communities. Outside of my professional life, I am also a maker so I am passionate about expanding access to creative experiences, believing that making can be a powerful pathway to personal enjoyment, fulfilling employment, and enriching lives, something that should be available to everyone.

kate spresser
​trustee

Kate is an IT professional with over 20 years’ experience helping organisations to gain value from technology. She has also worked with young people to encourage them to consider careers in technology.
Kate is passionate about the importance of making and of professional makers to society. She has always had an interest in making objects herself and these personal lifelong attempts at making have given her a deep appreciation of the skill involved in creating useful and beautiful objects.

ali molloy
trustee

desmond webb
trustee

During my fifty year career I have managed the maintenance and project management of refurbishments to;
  • Public and Private residential property.
  • Schools, fire stations, libraries.
  • Pubs and Restaurants with a portfolio of over 300 individual premises for a well know national company.
Now retired, I still work part-time looking after a regional theatre and now volunteer on the board at Making Space, offering advice and guidance on the main Leigh Park Premises and elsewhere as needed.

​catherine claasen
​trustee

richard walker 
​trustee

I provide consultancy and teaching to many educational establishments and organisations throughout the U.K, Europe, America and the Middle East. Alongside this, I also provide practical project management and completion for high-end interiors and restoration services in museum, governmental and private practice.
Making Space is a company limited by guarantee no 04482576 and a registered charity no 1108387
Copyright © 2024 ​