Ev Beard

A very versatile, multi-talented artist, Ev has been providing art/crafts activities to schools, colleges and community groups for over 15 years. He has designed the activities to develop awareness of the traditions and artistic values of the sometimes forgotten cultures e.g. Aboriginal painting. Completely self-taught, he is an ac

complished portrait/wildlife artist working with virtually all paint mediums, including glass paints and sculpts in clay. His wildlife work has been endorsed by the late Molly Badham - founder of Twycross Zoo and he donates part of the proceeds from the sales of his work to wildlife conservation.

In 2002 he founded Studio Select - a registered charity, to which he is the Project Manager/Trustee, to assist disadvantaged artists and provide art in the community. This includes working with a drama group - Theatre d' Europe that uses drama and games to teach French in schools, producing their backdrops and props. Ev is also involved in the admin and production areas of a drama group - Radio Rep that produces story Cd's and radio plays for hospital radio. Radio Rep has developed the project working in allegiance with Vale FM using school pupils and drama students in the productions. 

Through Studio Select, he develops opportunities for artists by promoting their talent to various organisations: schools, colleges, community groups etc. 

For example S. S. Mary & John J & I School in Erdington, Birmingham, has used Ev's artists extensively to paint murals, backdrops for school plays and display material - all involving the pupils.

Ev has a Small Business Certificate with which he uses his experience to assist, advise and motiv

ate to set up their own businesses, direct them to develop their simply set an exhibition. His involvement with the Birmingham Opera Company is to further develop his experience in set design - to both assist other artists within his organisation and broaden his own skills. Plus if required, to utilise his various skills towards the set design.