In a world that often feels fractured and hurried, moments of quiet generosity and shared creativity stand out like beacons. Over the past year, I’ve witnessed this again and again through the work of Sue Martin, an artist and teacher whose devotion to helping ordinary people explore their creativity transforms lives. From classes in prisons to community art projects across Wiltshire, Sue’s approach reminds us that art is not a luxury—it’s a bridge, a spark, and a source of joy waiting to be discovered.
Sue invited me to two private viewings last year that revealed the breadth of her work and her vision. The first paired drawings by Henry Lamb RA with artworks created by inmates from Erlestoke Prison, where Sue runs classes. Supported by The Longford Trust and shown at Messums West, the exhibition felt quietly revolutionary. Lamb, a reformist, believed you should look for the treasure in everyone you meet. It is a simple idea—but radical. Imagine what might change if we truly lived by it.
The second was Community Works: an exhibition of art created in the community, by the community, across Wiltshire over the past year. Delivered by SMARTEFACT*, the projects demonstrate that art is not an elite pursuit, but a shared, social act—one that can build confidence, spark connections, and generate joy in the most unexpected places.
At the private viewing, this ethos was tangible. The room hummed with warmth and generosity. People lingered, laughed, and pointed out delights to one another. Old friends reconnected, sometimes after decades. Colleagues whose creative streaks I had never known had work on display. And I found myself speaking with people I hadn’t seen since the turn of the century. It was quietly miraculous.
This spirit of connection found an echo in another event: a celebration of the life and work of Jill Low, who died unexpectedly in 2025. This exhibition was not about objects, but about gratitude, love, and memory. Stephanie Jalland—Director, theatre-maker—pulled the afternoon together with precision and heart. Alongside her husband Adam, Stephanie had previously brought imaginative, immersive performances to the Salisbury Arts Centre as ‘Hoodwink,’ and this event reflected that same energy of inventiveness and care.
On a Saturday afternoon in September 2025, people gathered to honour Jill’s heart, her drive, and her vision for the Arts Centre and the wider city. As Director, Jill had been both a visionary and a hands-on leader. With centre manager Catherine Sandbrook, she introduced firsts such as a contemporary Dance Company in residence, Obelisk, and developed a rich, multi-disciplinary programme that celebrated diversity in every form. Her passion for the Arts Centre—and its role at the heart of the community—was rewarded with strong Arts Council support and successful capital funding, leaving a legacy of bold, vibrant creativity.
That afternoon was joyous, emotional, and uplifting. Both Sue Martin’s projects and the celebration of Jill Low’s life reminded me of something rare and precious: that at a moment when the world can feel fractured, unreasonable, and driven by greed, wonder still exists. Generosity multiplies. Creativity is not scarce—it waits quietly, ready to surprise. And sometimes, things are not less than they seem—but immeasurably more.
*SMARTEFACT is Sue Martin a professional artist and facilitator, who works in a range of settings with a focus on rebuilding confidence in individuals. https://www.smartefact1.com/
https://artcaresalisbury.uk/portfolio/stephanie-jalland/
https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/news/jill-low-a-force-to-be-reckoned-with
https://www.mayflower.org.uk/cultural-hub/artist-development/ (The Jill Low Award administered by the Mayflower Theatre)
