WHO'S WHOConcept Creator
Karen Heney
BA (Hons) PGCE MA
The Open to Discover series arose from the multiple facets of my interests and careers. Two career paths can be traced throughout my working life, with alternating priorities, both have a creative trend and both have inspired training and research.
As a primary school teacher graduating in the 1970’s, I developed an inclination towards experiential learning. Being the proprietor of an art gallery, from 1997, formed complementary skills and promoted the value of visual literacy within education. These interests culminated in 2012 when I graduated from Roehampton University with an MA in Art, Craft and Design Education. The research generated a sound rationale for learning environments where the children have the opportunity for individual enquiry and creative expression.
Interests in pattern and design, alongside psychology and child development, encouraged the development of activities where the children could both explore concepts and express their creative ideas. Further research integrated the children’s awareness of their choices, reasons and developing values. This progressive matrix evolved into ‘Open to Discover’ with layers of activities being contained within a series of boxes. The first stage of this project is ready to be promoted, so that children may open the boxes to engage with this unique journey.
Design and Technical support
Annelise Atkinson
Annelise is a graphic designer and web designer based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Studying Decorative Arts at university, Annelise has since worked within the visual arts in a myriad of creative fields. These include printmaking, ceramics, illustration, as well as creating a typewriter painting and reconditioning business ‘Claire La Secrétaire’ in 2010.
With such enthusiasm for setting up creative businesses, Annelise learnt to promote her work by designing and making her own websites and blogs. This led to setting up other creatives with their own websites. She uses WordPress alongside Adobe Creative Suite programs to create graphic artwork resulting in unique websites that bring out the best in the client’s work.
She currently works as a graphic and web designer for Jessops and does her own creative work in her spare time.
Growth and Development
‘Open to Discover’ is a developing concept that now needs a larger team to help it move on to its next phase. Some ideas are outlined in the ‘Who and Where’ page but others may arise. There is a place for all levels of support, from words of encouragement through to potential business opportunities. If you would like to be included in this next phase please make yourself known. So much is possible.