Jess Taylor - Director and Lead Art Teacher 

Jess is a qualified Art Teacher (QTS), Special Needs Tutor, Artist and advocate for people with chronic illness and disabilities. After several devastating COVID infections in 2021/22, she was left with Long COVID and despite making progress, it still affects every aspect of her life. Unable to return to the classroom, Jess turned her passion for Art and community into an online learning space and she set up re-stART in late 2023 whilst housebound.  She says "Part of the reason that I have recovered to the point I am at now is because of this community that we have created and for me to be able to still support others through teaching and project managing these groups. It has been a very healing process and I am grateful to the team for their unwaivering support."

INSTA: @artbyjessdun

Lisa Marren - Art Tutor

Lisa is an artist living in Leeds and suffers from Long Covid and other chronic illnesses. She was introduced to re-stART through her Long Covid Clinic and signed up to Group 3 for some art sessions online. This was the start of something amazing, it ignited the spark for creating and enjoying Art again as well as giving a serotonin boost, something to look forward to and lessening the feeling of loneliness. 

She felt over the moon to be asked to lead some online sessions and is thrilled to be part of the re-stART team. Lisa loves offering a little bit of release and treasured creative time for others who enjoy Art and and all the benefits that come with it.

INSTA: @lisa_loves_art26

Ruth Fones - Director

Ruth is a professional artist, community arts facilitator and qualified higher education lecturer (PGCHE) based in her studio in Wakefield. She has experience of working as a senior lecturer in textiles as well as adult art education and working on creative projects with adult community groups such as for the blind and partially sighted, disabled adults and refugee women.  She considers creativity to be a powerful conduit for conversation and connection where workshops are designed not only as opportunities to make, but as spaces where people can connect, share experiences and offer peer support. 

Ruth has explored sight loss and our nuances in vision through her solo exhibitions ‘Do you See What I See?’ and ‘Please Touch the Art’. She continued this research through her recent Arts Council DYCP Project which explored creating more accessible and inclusive large scale artwork and murals that are designed to be interacted with through touch as well as sight. 

www.ruthfonesart.com

INSTA: www.instagram.com/ruthfonesart

Faye Marshall - Poetry Workshop Facilitator

Faye is a poet, writer and spoken word artist based in West Yorkshire.  She founded the Cloth and Coal poetry community in south Leeds, co-hosts Soul Shed in Wakefield and has facilitated workshops internationally.  Her writing explores intimacy, compassion and the emotional landscapes people inhabit.  Described by Salena Godden as ‘exquisite, exciting and exhilarating’, Faye’s debut pamphlet, Throwing Sugar on the Fire, was published by Yaffle Press in 2025.

www.fayemarshall.co.uk

INSTA: @fayeelizabethmarshall

Clare Black - Treasurer

 

Clare is an experienced project manager working in the third sector and has 7 years experience supporting community groups and organisations across West Yorkshire. Based in Morley, Clare has a long history of volunteering and organising events. She has been instrumental in supporting this CIC to become established and we couldn't have done it without her time and effort.

In her spare times she likes to explore creativity through art, photography, singing and learning guitar.

 

Lauren Dutton - Yoga and Breathwork