About Us

Handpicked Productions is led by four Directors who collectively bring a diverse range of specialisms. We share the same values and a passion for increasing access to creative and cultural opportunities for communities and founded Handpicked Productions in 2021.

 

Anne Timpson is a producer who has worked in community and arts engagement in Cumbria for over 20 years. She works across heritage, visual and performing arts with the aim of increasing access to cultural opportunities and supporting the development of the cultural infrastructure. Anne studied Theatre Studies at Huddersfield University before relocating to Cumbria. She held roles at The National Trust, as Arts Development Officer for Copeland and Allerdale Borough Council’s, Rosehill Theatre and Prism Arts before setting up Handpicked Productions. Examples of her work include The Promise Opera, Sekers Objects, Midsummer Dreaming and At Autumn’s Mellowing (Handpicked Productions), We are Here! Consultation and Engagement Phase (West Cumbria People and Places Programme), Creative Connections (Rosehill Theatre), Picture of Me (Prism Arts), Roll Up! Snappy Opera, The Great Learning (Mahogany Opera) and Every Brilliant Thing (Theatre by the Lake).

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Simon Walker is the current Chair of the Egremont and Area Regeneration Partnership, which runs Florence Arts Centre (FAC). He is a Bid Manager for National Nuclear Laboratory and also leads on Social Value within that area and plays an active role in leading corporate engagement with schools. Previously, he managed the development of an arts centre in north London (artsdepot, in north Finchley) and was the programme manager for the community and economic regeneration of Egremont, leading amongst other initiatives, the development of the town’s innovative arts strategy with Grizedale Arts, which led to the establishing of FAC. He studied music, philosophy and art history and has an MA in Aesthetics and the Visual Arts and a post graduate diploma in Leading Sustainable Communities. He attended the National Arts Fundraising School in 2000 and has a track record of successful fundraising from Arts Council England, European Union, HMG and a large number of local and national trusts and foundations. 

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Janice Murray is a visual artist and community engagement specialist. She studied Visual Studies and Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University. She then worked on community arts projects in Oxford and London before running the Art Department at  Howgill Family Centre in West Cumbria for 14years. During this time, she developed Howgill Arts from a run of the mill community service to an award winning and highly respected arts organisation.  Janice was the Creative Connections Practitioner at Rosehill Theatre, where she engaged and inspired adults and children using the theatre’s unique cultural heritage as inspiration. She collaborates with fine artist, Helen Morgan, as Morgan Murray Arts. They have worked together on projects for Cumbria Family Arts Network, Harbour Tales, the Together Project at Rosehill Theatre and Wish You Were Here! (West Cumbria  People and Places Project). Janice is currently a Kind Creative at Rosehill Theatre. Examples of Janice’s work can be found at www.morganmurrayarts.co.uk

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Debbie Graham is a graphic designer and art director. She studied graphic design and creative writing at Cumbria Institute of the Arts. Moving into publishing in her early career she worked in pre-press at Newsquest Kendal then onto designer for Cumbria Life Magazine before returning to Newsquest to become a regional studio manager working throughout the Northwest. Debbie returned to West Cumbria working in the arts sector becoming marketing manager at Rosehill theatre. During this time she continued to work on a freelance basis working with local charities, brand driven businesses and other arts organisations. She has supported and ran local visual communication campaigns for over 15 years working with organisations such as Rosehill theatre, The Green Room restaurant, Ewanrigg Local Trust, Handpicked Productions, Mahogany Opera Group, Cumbria Family Arts Network and the Cumbria Creative People and Places programme - Everyone Here. She constantly strives in everything visual.