David McQuatt worked with Artlink Central for fourteen years, including though some significant challenges such as Covid-19, from 2011 to 2025, working across a range of roles including acting up as General Manager and then as Principal Finance and Compliance Manager. He worked closely with the Director and Board ensuring finance was efficiently managed throughout his time in the role.

He maintains a lifelong learning and development approach and was supported by the organisation during 2023 to gain a funded Post Graduate Certification in Arts & Culture Management from Queen Margaret University; allowing him to expand on his fundraising, governance, leadership and finance knowledge. In his time with Artlink Central, he supported some key projects such as Falkirk Canal Connections, ensuring compliance with UK government funding systems and reporting.

David would also occasionally lend his photography and curation skills to projects when needed.

David also supported Justice and Arts Scotland as treasurer and also provided finance support to social enterprise trading arm Creative Conversations, and was a valued and loyal colleague over many years.

Cara worked as an administrator and support artist from 2023 - 2025, moving on to study teaching at the Univerisity of Dundee. Cara is a graduate from Edinburgh College of Art with a Master of Fine Arts in Textiles. In the past Cara has worked in various management roles within the John Lewis Partnership; this experience provided her with a wealth of knowledge ranging from recruitment, leadership training and financial acumen. Outside of work, Cara is a practising artist and print designer.

Zephyra worked from 2023 -25 as one of the first points of contact for someone approaching Artlink Central, as well as a key player behind the scenes. Assisting with programme and event planning, social media profiles, and community engagement, they have a wide selection of skills honed in previous creative organisations.
As a freelance photographer and filmmaker, they have been working with arts organisations and nonprofits since 2020, and have supported and documented the resurgence in community arts in Stirling over the past few years. They have been attached to GMAC and The Stirling Photography Festival in various roles.

Kathy worked for Artlink Central as a part time administrator from 2022 through 2023 supporting with finance and a range of projects including supporting our NHS community choir programmes. Chow is an award-winning Australian pianist based in Scotland.

​Since relocating to Scotland her focus has been on chamber music, with Scottish violist Marsailidh Groat as part of the Cianalas Duo. Kathy is passionate about music education and has worked with Music Traveler, National Youth Choir of Scotland & Youth Music Initiative, and Reel Kids Music Club. She is currently a Lecturer in Piano at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Conservatoire, and holds posts at the Music School of Douglas Academy and Eskine Stewart's Melville Schools.

​Kathy is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama where she obtained an MMus Concert Recital Diploma (Premier Prix) and Artist Diploma on full scholarship.

Donna Owens is a community artist who runs Puppet-Stew, encouraging people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to make fun and thought-provoking puppets and artwork. Donna has over 20 years of experience in facilitating creativity and imaginations in various UK settings. She loves helping young people express themselves and feel proud of their creations. Noona has worked on a range of Artlink Central projects over many years, particularly those with young people with additional support needs and is known for her ability to create magic in a classroom.

Lewis Bissett first joined Artlink Central in a freelance capacity as a resident artist for Camelon Arts, before working more recently as a development artist role for a creative social prescribing project ‘Creative Connections’ and as part of an engagement programme for Falkirks new civic and arts space. Lewis is a sculptor and artist who describes himself below:

‘Ah um a Fawkirk born, Embra based, half-a-jaffa artist who hus numerous complexes oan class, culture n indentity as a post-industrial Scot within art.’

Jennifer is a printmaker, designer and educatory with experience of designing, developing, sampling and producing prints for various clients within the fashion and interior industries.
In addition to her own freelance practice she has had employment with Jessica Ogden and London Printworks Trust and currently is Head of Print with UHI Perth. Jennifer has lead creative projects with young people in education and has been lead artist for work within community justice and our creative employability work.

Sarah Diver-Lang is a designer and maker in Scotland who prioritises creating art that cares for the environment and engages communities to co-create public art that inspires and instills pride. With a background in printmaking and visual communication, her passion for working with young people and encouraging their creativity has led her to engage with many projects that aim to boost their confidence, social skills, and critical thinking. Sarah worked with Artlink Central in our programme exploring environment and inclusion with Etive House at St Modan’s High School. She also has an ongoing independent relationship with Camelon Arts communities built through collaboration with Artlink Central.

Christine is an experienced 3D Artist and community artist who has worked with over 70 different groups across Scotland, ranging from children as young as one year old to seniors aged 96.

Christine has extensive experience with diverse groups, and is skilled in devise engaging participatory workshops that can meet the needs of each group. Christine worked with Artlink Central in a freelance and staff capacity for well over fifteen years.

There have been many highlights of work with Chris, who now is embedded within Transition Stirling, but some of these included the Green House Gallery at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Me & We - a school based programme, and Creating Conversations, where Chris designed the first creative tablecloth for the social product themed on gardening.

Shiya Bhagwat initially joined Artlink Central on a placement as a student from the University of Stirling and subsequently progressed into employment with the organisation. She contributed to participatory arts programmes and creative engagement initiatives, including projects with Falkirk Council’s new civic, library, and arts space, where she helped collect and analyse data, shape evaluation processes, and produce written content that amplified community voices.

A writer and experienced communications professional, Shiya brought expertise in media, editorial strategy, and creative project delivery. Her work strengthened Artlink Central’s ability to connect with diverse audiences and ensured that programme evaluation informed future artistic and community development.

Jamie Lee Aitken worked with Artlink Central in 2024 as Artreach Development Artist. Jamie Lee is a Fair Access Coordinator at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has worked as a Freelance Drama tutor within the community arts sector for 8 years. Coming from the East End of Glasgow, Jamie Lee has dedicated her practice to ensure that the old adage “life’s not fair” changes and that everyone gets a fair shot at doing what they are passionate about. 

Some of Jamie Lee’s favourite things are: Anything ancient Greek related, attending the theatre, especially The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime, catching up on pop culture and taking long walks in forests.Item description

Xiaolin Shen was a Visiting PhD Student in the Division of Dementia and Ageing at the University of Stirling, supervised by Professor Richard Ward and visiting from the Design Department at Politecnico di Milano. Her PhD research explored how service design can strengthen Dementia Friendly Communities and support the well-being of people living with dementia, their families, and wider communities.

During her eight months in Scotland, she volunteered with Town Break and Our Connected Neighbourhoods, supported projects such as Stirling 900, and visited a wide range of dementia-friendly initiatives across the country. Her work focused on co-design approaches that emphasised “designing with communities,” and she developed workshops and small design interventions that enabled people with dementia and carers to take an active creative role.

Xiaolin’s work aimed to amplify lived experience in shaping services and to explore new forms of support that promote community well-being.

Andy has worked in disability support work, facilitation and advocacy since 2017, previously with Sense Scotland, Art Reach, Community Focus and Glasgow Disability Alliance.

Andy Auld was Development Artist for Artreach helping to reopen the service after the pandemic.

Joining Down Syndrome Scotland in July 2024, Andy has always had a strong interest in disability justice and activism which is what brought him to the role.

He also works as a freelance arts facilitator and loves to paint and make music. He also likes to enjoy nature with friends and family.Item description

As Co-Lead Artist of community arts project Camelon Arts with Artlink Central (from 2021-2022) Aniela Piasecka was responsible for co-curating and managing the local programme of events spanning film-making, public art commissions, and drop-in workshops. From 2022-2023 Aniela was artist-in-residence with Inverclyde Culture Collective working on the research strand “Exploring Health, Illness, Disability and Long term Conditions” and supporting community engagement around chronic pain.

Aniela Piasecka was born in Glasgow and currently lives and works there. Working within collaborative, multi and interdisciplinary contemporary artistic contexts, her practice lies at the intersection of dance, the expanded field of performance, film, text and sculptural installation. She is part of STASIS, one half of Proudfoot & Piasecka, and is a Dance Base Associate Artist. Solo and collaborative works have been shown at a variety of contemporary art platforms such as galleries (Cubitt Gallery London) film festivals (Scottish Queer International Film Festival), digital platforms (Nowness), art festivals (Glasgow International Art Biennial 2016/2018) and performance venues (The Place London).

Mónica Laiseca supported the Camelon Arts programme for the final year as Co-lead. She is now Manager at Refugee Festival Scotland, an annual celebration of the art, languages, customs and ideas that people bring with them when they settle in Scotland. Established in 2000, the festival takes place every June in locations across Scotland and is co-ordinated and produced by Scottish Refugee Council, Scotland’s national refugee charity.

Mina was lead artist and development artist for Camelon Arts for two years. She has facilitated the development and delivery of high-quality arts projects with different communities since 2016.

Mina describes herself as a British-Iranian artist, researcher and facilitator based in Glasgow. She seeks to work with a pluralised understanding of the world that foregrounds marginalised ways of knowing and thinking. Across community and gallery settings, her practice attends to personal and group experiences thatshe is a part of, drawing together artworks from multiple, eclectic sources: workshops, archival research, material exploration, familial histories and cross-disciplinary conversations. Previous works have included installation, moving image, sound, text and sculpture. 

Mark is a Scottish and Irish artist who joined as Project Assistant for Camelon Arts before taking up a freelance role with the comission All Games Allowed. Mark is a choreographer based between Glasgow and Copenhagen. Formally trained in visual art, his practice is rooted in social dance through Bboying (Breakdancing) and House dance.
Specifically Mark is very interested in the power of dance to change and create new spaces and places.

Lesley Anne worked with Artlink Central as a freelance artist for many years but joined as a staff member from 2009 to 2018 leading the Artspace programme for adults experiencing mental health problems. The work Lesley Anne did supported over fifty percent of participants to move on from accessing mental health services to positive destinations. Lesley also supported many participants to move to college, before she herself moved to Forth Valley College as a lecturer.

Lesley Anne Derks graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1999. She is now an established artist working from her studio in Larbert. Her early work was inspired by the Grangemouth Petrochemical complex and this influence led her onto painting predominantly cityscapes. She has exhibited extensively throughout the UK and abroad with her work appearing in leading magazines and newspaper articles.

Robin Anderson joined Artlink Central from 2012 and worked as the main Administrator for the organisation till 2021, providing much needed support to the changing needs of the organisation over his time. Robin supported in particular, Artreach and events such as Art off the Rock and other fundraising activities. Robin’s many contributions included his work with Scottish Prison Arts Network. A skilled performer himself, Robin previously spent many years of work in a number of sectors, including roles at Scottish Parliament. He also supported Artlink Central through challenging times such as the pandemic.

After graduating with a BA Honours in Art and Design at Gray’s School of Art, where Sarah specialised in jewellery and ceramics, she then worked as a Community Artist in Fife. In 1998 she joined Artlink Central as a sessional artist and, as the organisation developed, became a Project Support Worker, and then a Project Coordinator.

Later she became Artistic Programmer leading on Artreach which she was key to establishing in 2011 and leading on development of the NHS Forth Valley arts and health programme until she left the organisation in 2018 after around twenty years of support to the creative work of the organisation, as a much loved and central member of the team.

Sarah worked closely with participants, artists and colleagues to ensure that barriers to creativity were removed for the people Artlink Central works with across Forth Valley. In addition to coordinating Artreach, Sarah also worked on the first public exhibition in Forth Valley Royal Hosptial along with Chris Hilditch and was also key to the success of Art off the Rock.

Catherine came to the role of Artistic Programmer with a background in writing and film. She focussed on work around young people and mental health and developed digital work with young people in the Children’s Ward as well as programming some of our larger schools projects.

Catherine now works as a consultant

Fiona Taylor became Artlink Central’s Business Development Officer in 2012, responsible for connecting our work with supporters and friends and developing fundraising initiatives. Fiona joined us with a vast array of experience supporting Australian arts organisations, in particular dance companies to develop funding strategies. Fiona lead successful Art off the Rock fundraising auctions, significant funding bids and also developed Artlink Central’s social enterprise development, successfully founding and securing funding for our Creating Conversations Kit, a tool which is used to promote better conversations around topics like gardening in care homes and which was evaluated by the University of Stirling. Creating Conversations has subsequently been adapted for use in Canada. Fiona now works for Just Enterprise, supporting the social enterprise sector across Scotland.

Sharon was Creating Conversations Sales and Marketing Manager and responsible for the development and management of the Creating Conversations Activity Kits and product development. 

With a keen interest in people Sharon worked for many years as a sales consultant and careers coach before relocating to Scotland.  Sharon’s experience included a keen interest in psychology and behaviour, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy within healthcare.

Rosas brought considerable experience, insight and guidance to both Creating Conversations and Artlink Central. Her experience spans over many years and includes counselling, mentoring, training and evaluating a wide range of services for people with dementia.  

Rosas is passionate about the huge contribution the Arts, in all it’s various expressions, has to offer people who live with dementia. Both in capturing the sheer enjoyment of life, finding increased sense of identity and regaining some control over their lives.

Rosas worked closely with Artlink Central to co-write the Creating Conversations toolkit and to develop and test the products and ensure the voices of people living with dementia were at the heart of its creation.

Sharon Quigley has had a long and ongoing connection with Artlink Central since 2010 which has included working on arts in health public art, residencies and in particular her role as a founding facilitating artist of Artreach. Below are a couple of highlights.

Artreach Visual Art Development Artist  2010 – 2012

Artreach was created to inspire, develop and showcase the artistic talents and interests of adults with learning disabilities in the Stirling Community.  From June 2010 – 2011 around 70 people took part in music, drama and visual art sessions, creating excellent artworks, and  working  to build and shape an artistic community where creative interests, laughter and support were shared.  Throughout the programme participants worked with artists and managers through consultation to create the project that they wanted and needed, resulting in the resounding success of Artreach and the desire to see it established permanently.

With support from visual artist Sharon Quigley, drama artist Kat Wilson, and musician Claire Docherty, Artreach artists exhibited and performed their work to audiences in Stirling and across Scotland, culminating in the event  ’Artreach: Definition’, a fantastic cross artform celebration of their achievements at the Albert Hall, which inspired and moved all who attended in  March 2011.

Staring at the Ceiling, Looking at the Stars 2019

Sharon lead a residency based within the University of Stirling Archives leading to an exhibition of her collaborative work with patients and staff at Bellsdyke Hospital, has been involved in various projects that highlight the human experience in the context of mental health. Her exhibition "Staring at the Ceiling, Looking at the Stars" is a testament to her commitment to exploring the voices of patients and the history of mental health services in Stirling. Quigley's work not only provides a new archive of patients' experiences but also serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to the voices of those who have lived through mental health challenges. 

Composer and musician Claire Docherty was one of an initial team of Artreach facilitating artists alongside visual artist Sharon Quigley and performing artist Kat Wilson who joined in 2011. Working with participating artists with learning disabilities across Stirling, Claire developed improvised and cross-art form collaborations into the embedded practice of the Artreach members.

Sonic Bothy was founded by Claire Docherty in 2012 as an artist’s project to create inclusive environments which would empower disabled musicians to work and perform in the new and experimental music sector on an equal footing as non-disabled peers. Driven by its mission to contribute to a more equal music landscape in Scotland, Sonic Bothy gained charitable status in October 2015 and continued to expand into an organisation initiating real, positive social change

Kat Wilson is a Freelance Theatre Artist and Project Manager working in the participatory arts sector. She worked as a development artist alongside visual artist Sharon Quigley and musician Claire Docherty developing the Artreach programme from 2011, and continued to collaborate with the group till 2019 when she supported a project exploring the artists in exile with the Artreach Artists and visual artist, Iman Tajik.

Kat supported Artreach artists to exhibit and perform their work to audiences in Stirling and across Scotland. She also worked on creative writing involving students from the Conservatoire collaborating with Artreach Artists.

Frances has worked on Artlink Central programmes and projects in just about every setting imaginable, from prison to hospital. Key highlights included working with women in HMP & YOI Cornton Vale on Illuminated, a project which combined visual art, craft and writing. France has developed her own practice as a watercolour artist in recent years We were privileged and delighted to host her inspiring and beautiful work as part of the NHS Forth Valley exhibition programme in 2020.

Frances' work in her home and local area of Balfron captures the beauty of the everyday and the landscape of the Stirlingshire countryside.

Having had a long interest in art and design, Sylvia joined Artlink Central having completed a degree in design at Forth Valley College, where she gained a distinction. She is particularly interested in textiles as a medium and much of her work involves bold use of colour and geometric shapes. As an artist she has exhibited in Scotland, England and France. Sylvia joined Artlink in 2006 as programme coordinator and worked with the organisation till 2012. She lead the innovation of Artlink Central’s creative programme in schools including a Creative Leavers programme resulting in exhibitions in Edinburgh and also our work with transitions.

Julie’s academic record includes a Double First Bachelor of Art with Honours degree in Fine Art from Glasgow School of Art. She went on to do a Master of Arts in Fine Art. Julie joined Artlink Central in 1997 as an artist, teaching and supporting a wide variety of creative workshops such as photography, painting, crafts and furniture renovation, before developing into the role of programme  coordinator. 

Julie led much of Artlink Central’s work in Falkirk and developed the Artspace mental health social prescribing programme which was established in 2003 and still runs in Stirling today. Julie went on to work for Falkirk District Association for Mental Health (FDAMH)

Diane Stewart worked with Artlink Central as administrator and was the first port of call for anyone engaging with the organisation. Diane was also a DJ in her own time and took on supporting the Artspace music project Closer to the Edge, which was a long-running group which was supported by the Scottish Arts Council and Stirling Council, for musicians and singers. The group was generally for people with some music experience and performs regularly. They currently were supported to develop performance and composition experience by musicians such as Barry Maclean of Minature Dinosaurs and Mick Slaven of Deacon Blue and Tricky Hat and were mentored by Skerryvore as well. Diane coordinated a charity concert 1 in 4 headlined by Skerryvore and also supported Closer to the Edge to record an album.

Mary Lawson worked for Artlink Central for many years to support the delivery of its programme. She managed the finance of the charity and supported its smooth running and efficiency. Mary was an active supporter of the charity, is a singer and active member of the local community.

Artlink Central saw it first period of development and growth after initial start up in 1988, with the appointment of Sarah Chester in 1992, who was recruited to wind the organisation’s activities up.

Sarah, however, saw the potential in continuing Artlink Central’s work and was able to lead the organisation forward successfully, extending its work into the health and criminal justice sectors over time and broadening its geographic base across the Forth Valley area. Sarah grew the organisation progressively over a fourteen year period as Co-ordinator, then Director of the organisation. Over this period of time there were many significant programmes including the following:

Programming highlights 1998-2008

‘The Long Way Home’  (1998) – A new play looking at the effect of Dementia on relationships. Commissioned by Artlink Central in partnership with Joint Dementia Initiative and Alzheimer Scotland. 5 performances throughout Forth Valley

Prison performances 1998 to now – Initially in Cornton Vale and Polmont Young Offenders an ongoing commitment to performing arts. Encompassing original writing and composition through to Pantomime and Shakespeare. Currently delivered in Cornton Vale.

Inside Outside (1999) – Link project with Cornton Vale Prison and Cornton Primary School. The same artists working with groups in both settings to create work for each other.

Wheel Links (2002) – Working with Carmuirs Primary School, adults with learning disability,BT Scottish Ensemble and professional actors. A performance to celebrate the opening of the Falkirk Wheel.

Bank Notes (2005) – Funded by the Clydesdale Bank and Arts and Business. Music and drama used to familiarise adults with learning difficulties with how a high street bank works for them. Across Forth Valley. Film, photography, percussion, Arts sharing day. Won National Arts and Business Culture and Diversity award 2005.

A Renewable World (2006)  – 10 schools from throughout Forth Valley worked with artists to create animation and artworks from recyclable materials to raise awareness of our throwaway culture. Exhibited at The MacRobert, Stirling.

Under Milkwood (2007) – In partnership with The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Artlink Central group of learning disabled actors performed ‘Under Milkwood’ in Stirling and then in Edinburgh at The Netherbow Theatre.

Count me in Tune (2007) – Funded by The Clydesdale Bank. Songs and actions were commissioned to help familiarise children with additional support needs with British currency.Activity bags circulated through Forth Valley schools and libraries. Shortlisted for Scottish Arts and Business Award.

Carnivale (2008) – Full week programme with Paul Rissmann and Scottish Ensemble working with 12 adults with learning disability. Creating companion animal compositions to fit into Saint Saens ‘Carnival of the Animals’. Performed publicly at Blairdrummond Safari Park.