Penny Dixon

Graduating in 1993 from UCE with a degree in Fashion and Textiles, Penny pursued a career as a community artist for many years. Penny worked with a diverse range of groups from one year to a hundred years old. During this time, Penny set up many regular art groups in conjunction with Birmingham City Council, local schools and Sure Start Childrens Centres.

Penny formalised all the knowledge they had gained with gaining a PGCE followed by a Masters in Art, Health and Wellbeing. Penny realised they were and still are fascinated by human interaction and believes we all have our own story to tell. Penny has a strong belief too that our stories are all interwoven, which they like to think is reflected metaphorically in much of their own artwork.

Penny has worked on many community projects over the years – a favourite was the ‘Tolkien Boards’ at Hall Green Library. Most recently, Penny worked on a collaborative project with Birmingham City University for the waiting areas in the intensive care unit at the QE Hospital in Birmingham. This involved listening carefully to stories, both happy and sad, of families who had experienced having had relatives in the unit.

Penny also currently works closely with traumatically bereaved families encouraging them to produce contemplative artwork. Another strand to their work is Penny Jane Designs, an online retailer offering a selection of hand felted luxury homewares and accessories for women.

Penny is a member of The International Feltmakers Association.

Penny was also lucky enough to be one of the top 100 small businesses featured in the Small Business Saturday government campaign and invited to Downing Street.