ACEarts

Aims, Trustees & Artists

Art Care Education (ACE) is the registered charity that runs ACEarts.

 Our principle 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

 

Sir (John) Sebastian Chance Bt

BA Hons Fine Art, career has been an Art Teacher in various parts of the UK and is a sculptor and artist. Trustee since 1.3.18

Shirley Chapman

Building Society financial management and retired Assistant Director Community Services (Somerset Care), now freelance administrator. Trustee since Jan 2017, Vice Chair

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.

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, Kate Mears, 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

British wildlife Open winner