Aims, Trustees & Artists
Our main aim as a charity is to promote art and creative activity, to inspire, empower and enable people to develop and grow.
We do this by
Giving a platform to artists and makers
Providing creative activities and courses for all ages and abilities
Delivering creative projects focusing on community health and wellbeing.
Current Trustees
Andrew Elfick (Chair)
Andrew trained as a Business Systems Analyst and worked in the financial industry for several years before starting a small Management Consultancy specialising in change and project management. He moved from South East London to the Somerset Levels in 2002 before moving into South Petherton in 2018. He has been active with ACEarts from its early days and became a Trustee in 2020.
Shirley Chapman
Building Society financial management and retired Assistant Director of Community Services (Somerset Care), now a freelance administrator. Trustee since Jan 2017, Vice Chair.
Sandra Meech
A stitched textile and mixed media artist originally from a background in advertising and graphic design. Inspired by landscapes both in Polar regions and closer to home in Somerset, Sandra has taught internationally and written several textile design books. Trustee since January 2023
Debbie Minter
Trustee since January 2023 I have worked in the banking/financial services sector for over 25 years. I now assess the suitability of advice from financial advisers to ensure positive consumer outcomes. I give up some of my time working at St Margaret’s Charity shop and Help for the Homeless, every month. I am a keen crafter myself. I upcycle/decoupage items and also crochet various garments and blankets.I have worked in the banking/financial services sector for over 25 years. I now assess the suitability of advice from financial advisers to ensure positive consumer outcomes. I give up some of my time working at St Margaret’s Charity shop and Help for the Homeless, every month. I am a keen crafter myself. I upcycle/decoupage items and also crochet various garments and blankets. Trustee since April 2025
Lynne Sandbach
I’m a long-standing member of the ACEarts Make Space community and passionate about creativity’s role in bringing people together. With a background in Art and Design, a career in teaching and mentoring young designers, and experience running a screen printing and retail business, I bring creative and practical skills to my role. I’m also actively involved in my local community and am a trustee of Compton Dundon village hall, where I am secretary and captain of a thriving bowls club. I’m excited to support ACEarts in its growth and continued impact. Trustee since April 2025
We are currently looking for new trustees to join us and work with our experienced board. Click here to read our Trustee Recruitment Pack.
ARTISTS
We are proud to represent the following artists, designers and makers:
BOOKS
Kate Lynch, Red Robin books, Jean Vernon, Lucy Evans, Angela Knapp and Lydia Needle.
CERAMICS
Dennis Chinaworks, Jo Lucksted, West End Pottery, Nick Rees, Paul Stubs, David Brown.
GLASS
Shakspeare Glass & Galiani glass art.
JEWELLERY
Caroline Parrott, Prue Biddle, Sue Hall, Maggie Laing, Penny Price, Solange, Julia Thompson, Holly Webb, Rachel Reilly, Ann Bruford, Misha Seelhoff, Ava and Bea & Ruth Lyne
PHOTOGRAPHY
John Waters
PRINTMAKING & PAINTING
Ann Fagan, Barbara Karn, Kaye Parmenter, Steve Manning, Lis Biesty, Annie Musgrove, Pauline Pearce, Andrea Clark
SCULPTURE
Chris Kampf
TEXTILES
Buffy Fletcher, Jennie Loader, Lydia Needle, Nina Gronw-Lewis, Sara Finch, Raggy Roux, Angela Knapp
WOOD
Dave Appleby, Matt Belfrage, Paul O’Donnell, Natty Deco
