Meet Our Wonderful Team
MAC is run nearly entirely by volunteers.
From Helena in the garden, to Doreen on reception and the entire Board.
Volunteering is not only great for your CV, it also helps out charities like ours in such an amazing way.
We couldn't do what we do, or open the centre doors without our fantastic volunteers.
We are grateful for every single hour that they choose spend with us.
If you fancy spending some time here in MAC - whether invigilating exhibitions, helping out at workshops, advising in an artistic capacity or manning the desk at weekends
then please get in touch with us at admin@morayartcentre.org and we'll send you further details.
Bill Austin
Trustee
Bill, a retired chartered accountant, has been attending workshops and other events at MAC for the last eleven years. He has been a director and trustee since 2013 and spent five years as chair.
Lucy Summers
Trustee
Lucy is not a natural artist but doesn't let that stop her getting stuck in and trying to develop new skills. Early encouragement to explore art and what it means to different people has led to a lifelong hope of demystifying arts for those who don't think it's for them and making art accessible to all. When not out enjoying the beautiful Moray landscape on our doorstep Lucy can be found at a comedy gig or listening to music at very loud volumes (but don't worry - not in MAC!).
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Bruce Campbell
Trustee
Bruce is an Artist, passionate about creativity. He paints and draws, photographs, makes pottery, designs and builds “green” wood furniture and loves learning to play the piano which he started from scratch at 65. The well being of the Moray Art Centre is for him an essential element of the thriving Findhorn EcoVillage in which he lives. He is committed to all people living creative and fulfilling lives: People are lit up!
Alison Mackay
Trustee
Alison is an environmental and sustainability consultant, who started out working in ecology and regeneration. A continuous thread throughout her work has been community based, focusing on community capacity, with projects in: arts, wellbeing and theatre. She also has many years of governance and fundraising experience. Alison values inclusive and accessible access, and research on how art can benefit wellbeing. She has a keen interest in art, music, dance, poetry, storytelling, film and theatre.
Harry Ross
Trustee
I'm a teaching artist, producer, and opera librettist.
I’m currently undertaking Artistic Research into the Hagiography of the Scottish Highland Warrior, at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee. I also work for The British Army in Scotland to program and produce theatre and art that examines the diversity, inclusivity, utility, and resilience of the Armed Forces in society.
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Trevor Parker
Trustee
"I have been part of Moray Art Centre since its early conception, either exhibiting work or as one of its original trustees. After spending 6 years in New Zealand I have recently returned to Moray and became aware that MAC was starting a new chapter in its life. I felt that I wanted to be part of that energy and give something back. I consider myself fortunate to be working alongside talented and passionate colleagues and hope that my experiences as a practising artist will help MAC to bring exciting creative projects to the wider community."
Leah Davis
Artist Convenor
Leah works as our Artist Convenor.
She is a practicing artist with a First Class Honours degree in Contemporary Art and Contextualised Practice, and a Masters with Merit in Fine Art from Gray's School of Art.
When she's not painting, she is walking her stubborn Olde Tyme Bulldog, Frida, or attending live music events.
Her first taste of the Moray Art Centre was back in 2018 when she volunteered as an assistant in one of our artist's weekly workshops.
Kenneth Le Riche
Artist
Our prize-winning artist, Kenneth, describes himself as a late bloomer. Having first earned himself a degree in engineering (1986), he worked in a variety of different jobs in different countries. He only started painting in earnest in his late 20’s and didn’t go to art school until he turned 30, when he attended the Foundation Course at Leith School of Art (1994). This paved his way to study at Edinburgh College of Art where he received a BA Hons. (1998) and where he won an Andrew Grant Scholarship. He was also awarded an MFA with distinction from New York Academy of Art.
Celia Forestal Smith
Artist
My four most favourite passions are Art, Teaching Art, Music and Healing. The thing that makes me feel the most ‘alive' is drawing and painting in Nature and being immersed in 'the Elements’. I’m very lucky to have met my mountaineer husband Al Smith in the French Alps while touring with my band “The Cosmic Sausages’. I used to tour with the band every year around Europe, singing and playing my piano accordion. It was the best fun in the world!
I am also trained in Energetic Cellular Healing and have my own healing practice in my home which gives me a huge amount of joy. My two children have flown the nest and my husband still takes me on his mountaineering adventures so that I can make art on top of the Scottish Munros as well as in my studio in Forres.
Doreen Taylor
Volunteer
Doreen describes the centre as "a place of refuge from the world's storms".
Jane Gambrill
Volunteer
Jane moved to Forres in June 2021 from Sussex.
She says, "I love being outdoors in nature, being involved with community and feel like a child in a sweetshop here- so many wonderful opportunities and new experiences.
I have an interest in art however my creativity seems to show itself in cooking and gardening however never know- being around all the different art might inspire!"
Arnold Kuster
Volunteer
Arnold says that he enjoys volunteering at the Art Centre because it gives him the chance to interact with visitors and exhibits.
"The artworld being fairly alien to me, my engagement with MAC opens up a new horizon. The only creativity, apart from creations in my profession in math and economics, is sandcastle building on the beach which I thoroughly have enjoyed ever since my Kindergarten days." - Arnold
Helena Keyes
Volunteer
If you come to the centre and spend time in our gorgeous garden, its Helena you have to thank for the view. She works so hard to make sure our flowers are well looked after.
Mana Laine
Volunteer
Mana enjoys being out and about in the beautiful local landscapes and witnessing the wildlife. She says, "I love dancing, music and all the arts."
Keith Barker
Artist Volunteer
Curiosity inspired Keith’s career path, Photographer - Boat builder - Furniture designer - Interior designer - the Visual arts and Mentoring, which by good fortune led him abroad to environments that encouraged his self expression.
“Boats utilise curved branches and roots. We must honour the trees by using every branch and twig creatively to sustain our precious companions future. Workshops on Sensible Design and Craftsmanship in wood are coming to MAC very soon.
I seek to encourage the better world that is growing inside each one of us and to invigorate the world of art and design as a whole with expressions of the present age.”