Our artists

Saffiere Dunstan-Saffrey

I am a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of The British Art Network. Founder of the Maidstone Art Centre CIC which continues to provide hundreds of art and craft sessions to the community, young people with autism and older people with dementia and their care-givers.

I have a passion for art and the benefit it has on health and wellbeing.

I work with a variety of mediums including watercolours, acrylics, oils and pen and ink and believe that art should be accessible to everyone. I am committed to producing affordable art and encouraging the community to join in and see how joyful creating art can be!

I have long-standing exhibitions of art at Hayes Point in South Wales and in the bibliothèque near Ploubalay, France.

britishartnetwork.org.uk/membership/members/saffiere-dunstan-saffrey/
thersa.org
www.facebook.com/themaidstoneartcentre
themaidstoneartcentre.co.uk

Ayse Akay

Ayse is an artist specialising in acrylic pouring and the creation of handmade crochet bags. With a background in mathematics, she brings a sense of structure and balance to her work while embracing the freedom and unpredictability of fluid paints. Her acrylic pieces explore the harmony of colour and form, resulting in dynamic and distinctive compositions.

Alongside her painting practice, she designs and produces handmade crochet bags that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style. Each piece reflects originality, functionality, and careful attention to detail.

Beyond her artistic practice, Ayse is the mother of three boys, one of whom is autistic. She also volunteers at her son’s school, contributing her time and skills to support the community. These personal experiences have strengthened her commitment to resilience, inclusivity, and creativity—values that are deeply woven into her art.

Through exhibitions, workshops, and creative markets, she shares her passion for artistic expression, aiming to inspire others while continuing to grow and expand her own creative journey.

Follow me on Insta @ayshaasatelier

Malgorzata Sears

Malgorzata is an artist and art historian who has joined Creative Maidstone to rekindle her fine art practice after a period of academic work and maternity leave. She studied fine art in Cornwall (Falmouth) and art history in London (Courtauld Institute of Art), where she was awarded her doctorate, subsequently published as a book, and was a Visiting Lecturer. 

Malgorzata is interested in the fundamentals of how we can express through drawing what we see. She is a committed draughtswoman with classical training in drawing which she received in Poland. During her studies in Cornwall she developed a practice in painting and printmaking, and has previously exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts (Summer Exhibition) and the Mall Galleries in London. She is currently exploring clay as a medium of choice which she pursues at the Aylesford School of Ceramics.