About Us

NW Craft Network Coordinator

A long-time resident of Blackpool, Catherine Mugonyi specialises in organising and coproducing projects that strengthen and empower marginalised communities through social justice, local history and the arts. She is a Director and founder of Aunty Social, a voluntary arts organisation that provides accessible, participatory arts activities on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast with a particular focus on socially engaged work in gentle spaces.

Catherine is a member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North Committee; making funding decisions, advising on priorities and providing local perspective to the Board. She has previously been a Trustee of Creative Lives and spent 10 years working in local government on equality, partnerships and community engagement.

Creative Enterprise Officer

Working on Maker Support through the Maker Network, creating Creative Business Opportunities through our Business Development Programme, Projects and Partnerships. Deborah believes in supporting the Creative Diversity of the North West.

Having owned her own successful small creative business, working on TV, at markets and online she has a wide variety of experience in the craft industry. She has a background in business support working on ERDF funded programmes, previously working at Manchester Metropolitan University.

If you have an opportunity to discuss for creatives in the North West, or would like to learn more about being a maker at Manchester Craft then please get in touch.

Exhibitions & Events Officer

Marketing & Digital Officer (Maternity Cover)

Gabrielle is currently covering for Anneka as the Marketing & Digital Officer at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. She manages all marketing initiatives and external communications.

Originally from sunny Malta, Gabrielle moved to the UK in 2016 to study classical music, further specialising in opera studies at the RNCM. With a keen interest in arts marketing, she loves supporting local artists and understands the importance of their work. Gabrielle really enjoys being surrounded by the centre’s talented makers and finds inspiration in their creativity.

Outside of work, she enjoys singing, cooking, meeting friends for a natter, or planning/dreaming about a sunny trip away – sometimes all at once!

Operations Manager

Finance Manager

Development Officer

Lena has been involved in interdisciplinary arts as a creator, organiser and fundraiser since 1994. She relocated from the USA to Manchester in 2018. Lena brings an interest in improvisation, collaboration and connecting people to both her personal art practice and her support for the vital work with small arts & culture organisations. Her background includes multimedia & video production, design and marketing communications for commercial and education sectors in the USA.

Since 2009, she has helped small and medium-sized arts organisations to increase their contributed and earned revenue in ways that align with their core aims and values. She is a board member of the artist-led Global Arts Manchester CIC whose mission is to ensure the making, experiencing and enjoyment of visual arts in Manchester is diverse. Things she loves making these days: pottery, crochet, spontaneous watercolours, conversation.

Director