verd de gris arts was formed by artists Sharon Marsden and Jeff Turner in Liverpool in 1997. Since then we have worked with a host of artists and creative practitioners from across the UK. Verd de gris arts’ work across artforms and disciplines – to create work that may include elements of performance, recorded sound, reclaimed or found objects, original music, photography, written and the spoken word.

To help us do this we employ specialised project workers (e.g. musicians, writers, performers, technicians) as required and employ specialised fabricators to assist in the manufacture of specific art work. The decisions are made relating to design very much depend on the requirements of the brief: potential audience, nature of site, accessibility etc.

Since moving to Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire our company has worked with some key  practitioners who have become part of our creative team.

These artists deliver regular sessional work, and develop and deliver project work on behalf of the company, they include:

Samantha Gill
Sam Gill, once a participant in the Behind the Mask project over six years ago, has since become a dedicated group leader at verd de gris arts. In her role, she leads group sessions and provides compassionate one-to-one support for women, using her lived experience to connect with and deeply empathise with those she supports.

At the heart of verd de gris’s work is community cohesion and bringing people together. For Sam, fostering unity and intercultural collaboration are central values, both in her role and personally. The group sessions she leads bring together people from all cultures and backgrounds, helping to break down barriers and build understanding across diverse communities. Sam sees the powerful impact of this work firsthand, as it cultivates trust, unity, and a stronger sense of community, enriching lives and promoting meaningful, lasting change.

Natalie Speake
Natalie is a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher. Natalie has worked closely with verd de gris over the past 10 years, devising project work and delivering a range of sessions to a broad range of client groups. Recently she collaborated on our International Women’s Day ’25 project WE BELONG working with women from our One Voice Collective and girls from Beech Hill Primary School in Halifax. Natalie also runs her own creative dance practice, specialising in dance and movement work for people living with complex health conditions.

Geoff Brokate
Geoff began his career in Sydney, Australia working as a filmmaker and directing actors. After leaving his home country Geoff travelled around Southeast Asia as a photographer, documenting the lives of people out on the edges of society: the Muslim Uyghurs in China, the slums of Mumbai, the remaining Buddhist monks of Mongolia, child wrestlers in Pakistan. Travelling in Pakistan, Geoff met a young Malala Yousafzai, just prior to her being shot by the Taliban. The resulting photographs went on to be featured internationally in the likes of The Guardian, CNN and New Statesman.

Geoff has worked with verd de gris arts on many of their most successful projects, including the award-winning Soul Journey and TAXI.

Teresa Lipinski
Teresa is a classically trained singer who is passionate about sharing the joy and therapeutic benefits of singing with others.

After graduating in music, she left the UK to explore her Polish roots and ended up living in Krakow for 20 years. While in Poland, she sang in weekly concerts performed by Polish musicians, acted in children’s TV programmes and taught English through music and drama.

Teresa is based in Hebden Bridge and joins Verd de Gris’ for our Behind the Mask and One Voice project work.

Helen Thatcher
Helen is an experienced musician and teacher. Having graduated from both the University of Manchester and The Royal Northern College of Music she spent over 20 years as the founding cellist of the Sorrel Quartet. With them, she toured the world, made many BBC broadcasts, recorded 13 CDs and held residencies at York, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and Cardiff Universities.

verd de gris arts were proud to work with Helen on the ‘Out of the Blue‘ theatre project exploring issues around migration and sanctuary for refugees.

Helen regularly plays live to accompany our performance and workshops – responding to gesture, movement and rhythm of spoken word.

Here are some of our other favourite creative collaborators:

David Bunting – Animator
Nina Perry – Sound Arts and Composer
Peter Findlay – Storyteller
Paula Sutherland – Poet and Writer