Image from Trying to remember (while making something new), MA Expanded Dance Practice: Unit 1 Sharing at London Contemporary Dance School, March 2024.

Photo credit: Rocio Chacon

Artist Statement

I’m a participatory arts facilitator and performance-maker based in Glasgow.

I use elements of dance and movement and visual art to play, communicate, tell stories and connect with people and the world. I have a DIY approach. Over years of working in participatory arts I’ve learned the basics of many different visual art & craft processes and approaches to movement, which I draw upon to craft workshops and performances.

I’m Neurodivergent and through my practice I’m trying to conjure space for myself, and other people who don’t fit comfortably into the traditional paths into the arts. I’m trying to be in the world in more playful and conscientious, and less restrictive ways.

I’m often drawn to new materials, processes or ways of moving because of their sensorial qualities. The past year, I’ve been particularly interested in the action of spinning yarn from wool and how this relates to stimming, ritual, embodied knowledge and our relationship to the natural world

Partcicipants’ artwork, mark-making session, local ASL school, 2023

Facilitation

As a participatory arts facilitator I utilise both creative movement and visual art practices.  I am constantly experimenting with new creative processes and practices, giving me a broad base of ideas to draw upon. This allows me to respond creatively to people in a way that’s engaging and relevant. I travel alongside participants, sensing when to expand on or add ideas and when to follow. I pay attention to participants’ curiosities and sensory interests which helps me research and introduce new materials and prompts to experiment with.

I can lead sessions which are movement-focussed, art-focussed, or a mix of both.

I can lead more structured group sessions, where everyone is working on the same activity, but with plenty of room for experimentation and individual expression,

or more playful, open-ended sessions where I’ll introduce materials or props and we’ll experiment in an unstructured way.

I’m Neurodivergent (ND) and often work with disabled and ND co-creators. My practice is informed by the Social Model of Disability.

“Jenny was excellent in supporting disabled people with complex needs to participate in dance-based movement. She was quick to adapt, proactive in exploring new ideas and approaches, and brought a combination of compassion, competence, and creativity with the people she was supporting. She drew on a wide range of sensory materials to facilitate engagement, and involved care workers, who also welcomed the activity. Through a gentle, considered approach Jenny was able to achieve positive outcomes. She is a reliable, thoughtful professional and popular with the staff and people we support.”

Rashmi Becker, Founder Step Change Studios

Printmaking with flowers and foliage workshop, Abandoned Artists @ Life with Art, Edinburgh, 2023

Bio

Over the past 10+ years I’ve facilitated workshops for numerous organisations including Sense Scotland, Life with Art, The Women’s Support Project, Step Change Studios, as well as independently for ASL schools in Scotland. I’ve also worked as a Youth Worker, Support Worker and as an Activities Co-ordinator in a care home for older people.  

I studied Community Arts at Strathclyde University, graduating in 2012 and have recently (2024) achieved my MA in Expanded Dance Practice, with distinction, at London Contemporary Dance School. During my MA I worked on developing my own performance practice and my own voice as an artist. I’m hoping to continue to develop this in a way that’s symbiotic with my participatory practice.