dawn idalia
this is what i see...
Open Studios, Thoresby Park, Notts, 2018
The Place, Sherwood Art Week, Nottm. 2016
The Beetroot Tree, Derby. 2013
Harding House Gallery, Lincoln. 2008
The Old Library Media Centre, Mansfield. 2007
Room at The Top, Waterstones, Nottm. 2007
The National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford, Lincs. 2006
View From The Top Gallery, Waterstones, Nottm 2006
The Shire Hall Gallery Stafford. 2005
The City Gallery Leics. 2005
Nottingham Open, 2005
Haus Art, Southwell, Notts. 2004
Southwell Minster, 2004
St Michaels Church, Lincoln. 2003
Sam Scorer Gallery, Lincoln 2003
Print residency at Pop Press, Nottm, 2018.
The Drawing Prize, Sherwood Art Week, 2016.
Public space mural design commission for ‘The Becks’ park project, Lowdham, Notts, 2014
The Mighty Creatives, Lead Creative Consultant 2008-2009
Arts Council England, Creative Partnerships Change Agent 2007-2009
Public space sculpture commission for the ‘Hard to Reach’ project, West Lindsey DC’s Council Headquarters, Lincs, 2008.
Arts Council England Funded, Lincolnshire Youth Arts Network Co-ordinator 2006-2008
Arts Council England Grant & Arts Award Assessor, 2007.
Public space sculpture commission: ‘Identity’ for Notts County Council’s, County Hall, 2006.
OCN Life Drawing, 2005.
Creative Enterprise Grant (ConnectUK), 2005.
BA (Hons) Fine Art (to level 2), 2004-2005.
BTEC Foundation Art & Design, 2003.
BA (Hons) 1st Class, Business & Management. 1996-2000 (by part time study whilst working).
exhibitions
education, awards, commissions & appointments
In more detail...
Dawn is a fine artist and designer. She was born in the Nottinghamshire England, where she still lives and works. Her parents regularly helped the family escape the landscape of a 1980's mining village and gave Dawn a life long love of walking in the woods, and being immersed in dramatic natural landscapes. An early life plagued with ill health and a lack of money was turned into opportunities to develop a love of drawing and resourceful craft skills.
A school trip to the then Trent Polytechnic and the possibility of an art and design degree was a total revelation. But the inadequate and sexist secondary schooling of the times prevented that, and an unwanted working life in administration began. However, the dream never died, and the whilst her career had progressed into senior education management, in 2003 Dawn made the bold step of giving it up and enrolling onto a Foundation Course in Art and Design. She progressed onto a BA in Fine Art at Lincoln University, and from level two of that she has lead her own professional development.
During her time in the world of education, Dawn was motivated to help other disadvantaged young people: whilst studying at one of the UK's top 10 business schools, she conducted research into education business partnerships; she initiated such schemes in school; and was part of a small team of governors who obtained funding for an award winning new secondary school in the county.
She has since had the joy of combining her years in education & management with art, and applying that mix to youth arts work and arts development in ‘hard to reach’ communities and schools (funded mainly by Arts Council England). She is proud to have worked with some fabulous cultural partners and some unforgettable young people.
Alongside her consultancy practice, Dawn's sculptural work has been commissioned by various public bodies and her design work by numerous private clients.
In 2018 she began the shift away from arts development work to focussing on her own arts practice and took up a print residency and then a full time studio residency. Her, clarity of focus and artistic mission is now shaping an ambitious programme of work.
She describes herself as a 'looker and a shower (show-er!)' who has done her job well if she distills the sensation that she feels when experiencing the natural world, into finely tuned marks that invoke similar sensations in you.