About
Sarah Watts, is a Milton Keynes based artist recently graduated in 2023 with an MA Fine Art at Northampton University, she graduated from Gwent College of Higher Education (University of Wales) in 1989 with a BA Hons Degree in Fine Art. Sarah also studied for a post graduate diploma in Arts Administration, worked at ICA, Chisenhale Gallery and the Lisson Gallery.
Since returning to Milton Keynes over 25 years ago, Sarah has supported herself by working as a freelance artist, including leading drawing workshops in schools, teaching life drawing, community art classes, and creating carnival costumes, whilst raising her family. In 2011, she co-founded The Drawing Machine, a drawing project to encourage and engage the community in drawing, and to promote the annual Big Draw, with events across Milton Keynes. In 2017, as BLC Artist, Sarah worked in partnership with MK Gallery City Club artists, local schools and community groups to raise awareness of the new community orchard and to engage the local community in the project. In 2019 was awarded MK Community Foundation Visual Arts Bursary, became an Associate Artist with Milton Keynes Gallery, exhibited in the MK Calling Exhibition, and at the MKG Project Space, and led community workshops at the Festival of Creative Urban Living.
Sarah continues to work with Milton Keynes Arts for Health, Milton Keynes Arts Centre, Milton Keynes Gallery, and is currently artist in residence at MK College.
Recent Artist Achievements
January / March 2024 | Virtual Residency and Exhibition: The Sea Washes Away All the Ills of Men | St. Catherines Island and Fort, Tenby
December 2023 | MK College Exhibition | Westbury Arts Centre, Milton Keynes
November 2023 | Studio Practice - Associate Artists Exhibition | Project Space, MK Gallery, Milton Keynes
October 2023 | Artist in Residence | MK College, Milton Keynes
September 2023 | MA Degree Show Exhibition | UoN Development Hub, University of Northampton, Northampton
June 2022 | UoN MA Professional Development Residency Award - Work in Progress Exhibition | NN Project Space, Northampton.
October 2019 | Amassment and Build - One Brick at a Time | A Festival of Creative Urban Living, Milton Keynes.
March 2019 | Awarded Arts Bursary | MK Community Foundation, Milton Keynes.
Sept 2018 | Cultivating The Community Exhibition | Project Space, MK Gallery, Milton Keynes.
July 2018 | The Democratic Set - Drawing Performance | Queens Court, MK International Festival.
June 2017 | Now you See Me Exhibition | Arts for Health (MK), Centre:MK, Milton Keynes.
April/May 2017 | MK Calling 2017 | MK Gallery, Milton Keynes
Jan 2016 / July 2013 | Fire Drawing (40th) - commissioned by InterAction | Inter-Action, Milton Keynes
April 2012 | Janus Exhibition | Arts Central, Milton Keynes
April 2012 | Pandora’s Box Exhibition | Together Gallery, London
Education
Oct 2021 - Sept 2023 MA Fine Art Degree University of Northampton
Sept 1986 - June 1989 BA Hons Degree in Fine Art University of Wales
Sept 1985 - June 1986 Foundation Degree in Art and Design Nene College, Northampton