Dee Manning
"I am a cultural producer with over thirty years community engagement experience, text required here breif intro...
Where did it all begin?
For Dee, the original journey as an artist started over thirty years ago when she won a thousand pound grant from the Princes Youth Business Trust (PYBT) in 1990 to set up a business called Paintbox Sisters. Delivering silk screen print workshops, her work in the community saw her carry out a variety of different projects working freelance, delivering banner workshops, construction of carnival costumes and art sessions for children and adults of all abilities.
Parallel to this Dee also focused on history with an art installation of a traditional Caribbean living room from the 1960s with Jubilee Arts, West Bromwich.
During that time Dee also became a board member of the PYBT representing them represented at business seminars across the country and also at The Pavilions, The Houses of Parliament.
Where did it all begin?
For Dee, the original journey as an artist started over thirty years ago when she won a thousand pound grant from the Princes Youth Business Trust (PYBT) in 1990 to set up a business called Paintbox Sisters. Delivering silk screen print workshops, her work in the community saw her carry out a variety of different projects working freelance, delivering banner workshops, construction of carnival costumes and art sessions for children and adults of all abilities.
Parallel to this Dee also focused on history with an art installation of a traditional Caribbean living room from the 1960s with Jubilee Arts, West Bromwich. It was during this period she also became a board member of the PYBT representing them represented at business seminars across the country and also at The Pavilions, The Houses of Parliament.
In the mid nineties Dee took her creative flair into the hairdressing industry, during this time she saw an opportunity to go back into education to become a teacher where she could then teach the next generation of hairdressers. After obtaining her teaching qualifications in 1999 Dee taught in higher education where she remained for 17 years, leaving the industry as a grade one outstanding lecturer and more importantly leaving a legacy by teaching and devloping successful award winning hairdressers and barbers. also during this period she studied a BSC Sports Therapy degree.
In 2015 Dee decided to venture back into the artistic arena and continued to pursue her career as an artist creating three collections of artwork that have been very well received with pieces being sold around the world hanging in homes as far as Australia and America. Dee has had solo exhibitions around the UK including the Brick Lane Gallery in London and Stratford Arts House to name but a few.
As time progressed Dee found an opportunity to return to community engagement, in 2018 Dee was employed as a Community Networker for the Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS), covering Lozells, Aston, Newtown, Perry Barr, Birchfield, Handsworth, Holyhead, Soho and Jewellery Quarter. With Dee's heart always being in the community she continued to build relationships with the local people, stakeholders, partners, charities and CIC’s to engage communities to get involved in social, civic and physical activities.
"My time here was brilliant, engaging with pillars of the community of all different age groups, helping me become a more familiar face, ensuring I could provide support and guidance whenever I could, ensuring voices were heard"
During her time at TAWS As a producer she worked on the Gallery37 Arts Trail, with Punch Records to deliver a ten mural project which was co-designed with the artist Bunny, from Create Not Destroy and the local community. In 2020, ‘Dream of Screamz’ was a youth production commissioned by The Big Birchfield Local, and supported with The Friends of George’s Park the Flatpack Film Night in the summer 2021.
In 2022 Dee was the producer for the Handsworth Festival in Conjunction with the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Which to date is one of there proudest accomplishments as she put on arguably the best live site in the neighbourhood she calls home, Handsworth.