Paola Aldus, Co-Ordinator

Paola was Head of Art at St. Teresa’s Catholic Independent School, where she shared her passion and love of Art with children aged between 4-11 years. Previous to this Paola, was a Store Manager in Windsor, and Heathrow Terminal Two for the international fashion brand Bally of Switzerland. Until February 2019 Paola and her husband Steven ran Risborough Gallery, an established family framing and fine art business in Princes Risborough for over 35 years. Paola organised many successful art events at the gallery and held a range of very successful art shows throughout the academic year at St. Teresa’s School. Bucks Art Weeks has been a very important fixture in her family calendar for many, many years.

Keith Dale, Treasurer

I started my career in international banking IT before going back to university to gain my accountancy and economics degree.

I have to say I am not a creative so possibly a good foil for the committee. I work locally in Aylesbury.

I have volunteered in various roles from chair to treasurer and have fulfilled various secretarial roles over the years, schools, sports clubs and a national organisation working through their GDPR, DBS and Safeguarding issues.

I look forward to working with the committee and its members this coming year.

Jay Nolan-Latchford, Social Media Coordinator

My first childhood memories are of drawing, making, painting and crafting. I always knew I’d be an artist. After leaving school I studied illustration at my local college followed by a Graphic Design and Printmaking degree in Brighton. I worked for several years as a freelance designer in London before relocating to Bucks and establishing my own design company.

In recent years I've returned to my first love of painting and illustration. My range of watercolour, ink and mixed media art with their distinctive nature themes and bright colour palettes aim to be joyful. I love the outdoor life and have made my home on a houseboat moored on the Grand Union canal surrounded by the countryside.

I'm keen to pass on my skills and having undertaken a teaching qualification I began hosting workshops for adults several years ago.

I’m passionate about art for well-being and love working with people from all different fields. Being involved with groups of creatives and like minded people is both fulfilling and part of an artists journey. VIG has such an important role to play in our community.

Rosie Blacher, Newsletter Editor

I’m a dog lover, book enthusiast, musician, and food lover that hates cooking! I'm also a textile artist and illustrator who found my love for weaving whilst living in Iceland, and since returning to the UK have been honing my craft and meeting fellow weavers and artists around Bucks.

Heather Larson

My background is in engineering and I now apply those design skills to my career as a jeweller and enameller. I am a keen sportswoman and gardener, and spending lots of time outdoors gives me endless inspiration for my work.

I like to take a closer look at the world with a focus on beautiful details that are often overlooked. Much of my work features geologic and botanical subjects, sometimes at a microscopic level. I engrave my textures by hand and then use transparent enamels to give these small scale snapshots of nature a luminous quality.

As a new artist, I joined the Bucks Art Weeks committee to help support and promote other talented local artists.

Sam Burke, Interim Chair

I retired from Corporate life in 2016 & am now able to pursue my hobbies, notably creating kiln formed glass art & beekeeping.

I am co-founder & Chair of the ‘Made in Stony Association (MIS)’. MIS is a non profit membership association, run by volunteers, to support artists & artisans of Stony Stratford.

I have exhibited at the Gawcott Church exhibition, as part of Bucks Art Weeks, since 2019. I joined the Visual Images Group Committee in September 2022 to offer my skills & experience to support the continuation of Bucks Art Weeks & the Visual Images Group.