Judges
Heather C Davis, MA. DIP Cons, DMS, Conservation and Collections Manager for Cultural Services, Lancashire County Council
Born and educated in Ireland, Heather qualified in Archaeology and History of Art from Trinity College, Dublin. A chance to work with conservators salvaging artworks following a fire in a Georgian building resulted in her decision to become an Art Conservator training at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Initially working at Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, she moved to Lancashire in 1988 as Lancashire County Council’s first painting conservator. Heather has worked across a wide range of museums and heritage sites for over 30 years and has been closely involved with many exhibitions of art and museum collections. She is now responsible for over 1 million collection objects and manages specialist teams within Lancashire County Council museums.
She has a deep interest in the pigments and materials used in creating artwork, and a knowledge of Lancashire’s artistic heritage. She enjoys using her conservation and curatorial experience to promote heritage, and highlight the importance of craft and heritage skills.
Sarah Haworth, Head of Curriculum Art, Family Learning, Health, Wellbeing, Horticulture and Humanities at Lancashire Adult Learning
My background in the arts stems from my high school days where an inspiring art teacher (Donald Holden) captivated me through his engaging teaching style and natural talent for the subject. This then led me to follow my passion for Art through A-Levels in Fine Art, Graphic Design and Art and Design History at Nelson and Colne college, and onto a Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design degree at Leeds College of Art and Design.
After graduating in 2002, my career took various twists and turns, starting first with several years working with community arts organisations across Lancashire and Yorkshire alongside developing my own practice as a digital fine artist, and finally following a path into teaching.
Fast forward and I’m now in a job I love, working with adults and children (through Family Learning) across Lancashire, providing opportunities to engage in arts-based courses (amongst many others) that develop creative skills, thinking and most importantly a love of art and design.
Norman Long, Artist
Norman Long (BA, MAFA) is a professional artist living in Lytham St Annes. He creates oil paintings both in his Preston studio and on-site, often travelling to city locations with the Northern Boys painting group.
Norman studied at Runshaw College and Blackpool and Fylde College before completing a degree in Fine Art at Newcastle University. He received a scholarship for postgraduate study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.
His work features regularly in London exhibitions such as the New English Art Club and Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He is a prizewinner with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and was Artist and Illustrators Artist of the Year in 2013. Norman is a trustee of the Manchester Academy of Fine Art.
Many local artists have benefitted from Norman’s sensitive and inspirational tuition. He has written a popular book on Oil Painting and is currently running classes in New Longton and online.
Kathryn Alice Olley Lancashire Artist of the Year 2024
Kathryn, known as Kathryn Alice Art on social media, is an award-winning artist based in St Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire. Named Lancashire Artist of the Year 2024 for her vibrant and emotive work, she blends realism with dreamlike storytelling. Her paintings capture the beauty of wildlife, nature, and iconic landmarks, often infused with themes of tranquility and wonder.
Her work has gained recognition from notable figures, including celebrities such as Sara Cox, Claudia Winkleman, musician Johnny Marr, Strictly Come Dancing stars, and MPs who have engaged with her art. She is currently collaborating with MasterChef: The Professionals winner Oli Martin, creating artwork for his award-winning restaurant, Aven. Locally, her paintings have been showcased at the Grundy Art Gallery and Hive Arts, and she is the resident artist at Glansin, an afternoon tea venue. Her work has also been featured on BBC News, BBC Radio 2, and the London Art College.
She is honoured to serve as a judge for Lancashire Artist of the Year 2025, supporting and inspiring the next wave of creative talent in the region.
Alex O’Toole, Chair of Arts Lancashire
Alexandra O'Toole is a Lancashire based independent, Writer, Creative Director and Producer. For over twenty years, Alex has worked nationally and internationally across Europe, the US and the Middle East to develop creative concepts, produce artistic programmes, write narratives and manage design projects for the creative and cultural industries.
She writes on commission for creative projects across all mediums, and about creativity, the role of the arts and the business of being an artist. Her work as a strategist and creative director for the creative and cultural industries is geared towards developing partnerships and growing audiences to maximise opportunities for long term sustainability.
As an arts producer, Alex’s larger scale participative projects are created through Fable Arts, a socially engaged arts organisation. She is the founder of Good Creator, an online professional development platform for artists and creatives. She is also the Chair of Arts Lancashire.