Kevin Groves is experienced incense and soap maker, and an artisan perfumer based in Dover. Studying perfumery under an established French family perfumer he graduated in 2021 and holds two perfume collections under his House Of Kiya Cosmetics brand, along with providing bespoke perfumes, perfume experience workshops for private and commercial groups and consulting services for some heritage groups.

Jamie Scrutton is a Leeds based multidisciplinary artist, specialising in Animation, Burlesque and Performance Poetry. His debut book “The Devil Makes Work for Creative Hands” was published through Paragon in July 2021 and he is returning with a second book titled “The Vision of Storytelling.”

His work has been shown at various national and international events such as “Big Poetry” “Kino Open Short Film Night”“Showroom Shorts” “Nightvision Open Mic Night” and “Burlesque Idol”.

And although he has been performing for 16 years, burlesque is a new artform of his, going under his alter ego name Hattie Go Lucky. And this September he will be performing at “The Sweet Finnish Burlesque Festival 2024” based in Finland.

Kelly Harwood is an experienced artist based in Kent. She specialises in figurative art using a variety of mediums.

Dubbed one of the hardest working working people in poetry by Bob Horton, Crow is an internationally recognised disabled non-binary queer published author and has gone onto run several well-known poetry events - including, Sad Poets Doorstep Club, Punching Up, AND Poeticon while single-handedly setting up the UK Trans Performers Network.

If that’s not enough, their debut poetry collection 'i am a thing of rough edges: DESTROY YOUR DEADNAME edition that's available to purchase from Whisky & Beards Publishing or in the National Poetry Library.

Having recently made the jump from university teaching back into the industry, Dr Joe Baxter Webb brings a wealth of experience from a decade of working across, games design, marketing and cultural analysis.

With a lifelong passion for art, they laid the foundations of her career early by completing their tattoo apprenticeship in 2013 and earned a degree in Visual Art in 2015. Going onto quicklyrealizing a long-held dream by opening their own tattoo studio, Clockwork Ink in Faversham in 2016.

Since then, they have led a talented team, building a vibrant creative space where their clients visions are brought to life.

Beyond tattooing, Molly is deeply committed to sharing their expertise with the next generation of artists. They conduct design workshops in secondary schools, guiding students through the process of transforming client briefs into creative masterpieces.

Connor Sansbyis a legend in the Kent Poetry scene.

After beginning his professional career in music management at the age of 16, he has since gone onto being long listed for Kent Young Business Person of the Year 2009 before starting Whisky & Beards Publishing in 2014.

This has gone on to be one of the most recognisable names in contemporary UK poetry, being nominated for three Saboteur Awards for Most Innovative Publisher and Best Regular Spoken Word Night. It’s safe to say, he’s a bit of a big deal.

And if that wasn’t enough, Connor is also the founder of Kent Poetry Collective and he has also been a producer for Margate Bookie since 2015, a local literary festival which now attracts over 3000 people. Which is actually where we first met.

What's in the art block? Listen to find out ;)

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I'm always on the lookout for podcast guests, so if you're doing something awesome and want to let our audience know how you got there, feel free to reach out over email.

theartblockpodcast@gmail.com