Nat’s story
I live locally and have always known about The Mill but I only really got involved about 3 years ago. I met Mo who’s the person who is the driving force behind Art Works. The Mill was looking at ways to raise money and Mo asked me if I had an idea. That’s how the Postcard raffle (Greatest Little Art Show) was launched. Mo and I realised that between us we knew 100 artists. So we contacted everyone locally – professional artists, amateurs, schools and asked for a donated art piece for the raffle. A highlight for me was when Grayson Perry sent us a piece!
Since then I’ve led on several exhibitions and I get involved at Meet the Artist nights. I encourage everyone I know to help out and volunteer. One highlight was a friend of mine, who’s film director came to one of our nights and through that provided work experience for a student at Whitehall who was exhibiting. On these events I set up the refreshment table and as we’ve a dry bar at The Mill I’ve come up with some inventive cocktails including The Mill Mijoto and the Coppermill Sunset.
Alongside art, catering is a real passion for me. Few years back I set up a monthly Souper Wednesday. A few months ago I re-launched it and it has been so popular we now make it a weekly event.
I’m a ‘suck it and see’ person and The Mill gives me the chance to give my ideas a go. My dad was a coalminer and work incredibly hard doing something he didn’t love. Compared to him my life is a dream and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at The Mill and the great friends I’ve made.
I’m a ‘suck it and see’ person and The Mill gives me the chance to give my ideas a go.