ARTPORT | PORTISHEAD ARTS FESTIVAL |
COMMITTEE

THE PORTISHEAD COMMUNITY
We are proud to be a part of the community of Portishead. We are so grateful to all our friends and supporters in the local community: the independent businesses that make up our high street; the fantastic people who work so hard at all our community spaces; our amazing local press; and of course all the wonderful, generous people who volunteer their time, effort and expertise to make the festival happen.
Thank you to you all!
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PORTISHEAD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
KEITH BLUNDELL
Keith Blundell is an experienced art educator and practitioner. He trained and worked as an art teacher in South Devon, before moving to Bristol to work with neuro-diverse teenagers; ultimately becoming a deputy head teacher. He has also worked in education-related projects across Bristol and the UK. After leaving the education sector, Keith retrained as a counsellor.
Keith is a ceramicist and photographer. He also has a keen interest in the local music scene, and champions the local musicians and bands of North Somerset.
NICOLA HOLLAND
Nicola Holland is a teacher, as well as currently serving a second term as a District Councillor. With a great love of the arts and a strong commitment to community, Nicola is the Chair of the Festival Committee and, together with Jeff Lucas, founded Portishead Arts Festival in 2021.
DAVID LEACH CGMA, ACMA
David Leach is a Chartered Global Management Accountant and holds a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE). He has worked in financial management roles for international companies including Lloyds, Nationwide, Allied Domeq, Arval, RWE (National Power) and the NHS. Latterly he has specialised in complex financial systems implementations (SAP).
A lifelong supporter of Kent County Cricket Club, he now lives a stone’s throw from Gloucester County Cricket Ground in Bristol.
JEFFREY LUCAS
Jeff Lucas has a distinguished track record of instigating and organising community arts events to his credit, including: the Westbury Park Arts Trail in Bristol; Portishead ‘Round the Houses’ Arts Trail and a programme of exhibitions of local artists at the Lido Cafe in Portishead.
He brings his considerable experience of the local art community and his breadth of knowledge of the arts to the role of Secretary of Portishead Arts Festival, and curator of our visual artists. Together with Chair Nicola Holland, Jeff was instrumental in founding Portishead Arts Festival in 2021.
Jeff is a talented amateur photographer who has exhibited at the Royal West of England Academy and received a commendation in the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards. He is principal author and photographer for "From Brycgstow to Bristol in 45 Bridges" a best-selling book published by Bristol Books (2019).
WAHIDA PHILLIPS
Following a career as a neuroscientist in London, Wahida Phillips is now a contemporary graphic artist on the North Somerset coast. Having forged strong links with the local community, Wahida provides excellent community engagement between local businesses, community groups and the festival.
MELLONY TAPER
Mellony Taper is a marketing strategist. She has held executive director level roles in global organisations including General Electric (GE); Merkle and the St. Ives Group.
She is a professional artist. 2023 exhibitions include: ‘Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City’, a national touring exhibition curated for the Arts Council Collection by Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid CBE; the Royal West of England Academy Photo Open; and Procreate Project Public Activations at Lewisham Shopping Centre, London.
She is currently co-producing a newly commissioned series of short films - | ARTSTORIES | profiling the thriving artist community of Portishead, on the North Somerset coast.