Maria Hayes draws movement, story and music in performance as well as spending time drawing the natural world. She has collaborated with dancers, musicians, storytellers and performers throughout the UK and Europe. In 2013 Maria was awarded a PhD in Fine Art from Aberystwyth University. Alongside her own practice she works as an artist facilitator and received the Drawing Inspiration Award from the Big Draw in 2011, and in 2012 Action for Children’s Arts gave her a Members Award in recognition of ‘the contribution her work makes to the enrichment of children’s lives through the arts.’ Maria has experience of working in all sorts of settings and with all abilities. She has lectured as well working in hospitals, schools, galleries, prisons and communities and has particular experience of working with people with mental health issues in secure settings. Elysium Healthcare currently contract Hayes to work as artist in residence to create Recovery Tree murals with patients and staff in secure hospitals. Maria has developed in depth drawing courses for the public, in particular Connected Drawing for Trigonos. As well as facilitating others, Maria regularly mentors and trains artists. See more about Maria on her website: http://www.mariahayes.info/ North Wales