LOCAL arts educator, artist and arts advisor Abigail James has been selected as a finalist in the category of 'Fearless Freelancer' in The Northern Cultural Education Awards 2024.

The awards, hosted by 'Curious Minds', aims to shine a light on best practice, innovation and activism in the field of creative and cultural education, wherever it is happening across the North of England.

It will culminate in an Awards Ceremony and networking event on Friday, May 24, 2024 at The Edge Arena in Wigan.

The 'Fearless Freelancer' category will recognise an individual committed to working creatively with children and young people despite the socio-economic challenges inherent in a freelance career.

Ilkley Gazette: The Northern Cultural Education Awards

Abigail set up a teaching business 'Daisy Croft Crafts' from her home art studio in 2021 after a successful 18 year career in teaching. The business has blossomed and she now teachers fine art and craft to over 45 young people every week. Many of these young people are working towards a prestigious 'Arts Award', which is accredited by Trinity College London.

Abigail also travels to colleges, universities, schools and arts centres all over Yorkshire to offer specialist workshops in fine art, embroidery, silk painting, wreath making, collage and clay design to young people and adults and training to teachers.

Another aspect of Abigail's work is the well known 'Crochet installations' that can be found all around Guiseley and Otley.

She teaches crochet to over 50 local people every week and loves to share the designs with the local community by decorating post boxes, phone boxes, gates and railings.

Abigail is incredibly proud to have been selected as a finalist from over 150 entries and is looking forward to meeting lots of other passionate and like minded people at the awards ceremony.

The awards mission is to celebrate the incredible, passionate people – teachers, artists and creative practitioners, youth and social workers, health and wellbeing specialists and community volunteers – who are working so hard for children and young people.

If anyone is interested in joining Abigail for Art Lessons or Crochet Lessons then please contact - daisycroftcrafts@gmail.com or to find out more visit Facebookdaisycroftcrafts

For more information about the awards visit: - https://curiousminds.org.uk/the-northern-cultural-education-awards-2024/