The Pound Arts Trust in Corsham has offered three-year residencies to champion two new and emerging artists, helping them to develop their careers, portfolio and business opportunities.

They are Rachel Heard, painter and Clare Winnan, an artist, maker and upholsterer. Both were selected following interviews with applicants for the position.

Russ Tunney, Director of The Pound, says: “I am delighted to welcome both Rachel and Clare – they are both astonishing artists who make inspiring work, and we will do all we can to support them in their time with us. Wiltshire is a powerhouse of creativity and we are pleased to play our part in this.”

Rachel Heard is inspired by landscape, natural forms and phenomena and uses a variety of paint techniques to gain depth, colour, texture and organic patter.

Her sinuous and ethereal images are reminiscent of the ocean, rivers full of weed, or ink suspended in water.

Ms Heard has exhibited both locally, and in Bristol, and has sold a number of works to private collectors. She has a BA (Hons) in Art and Aesthetics from the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff.

Rachel said: “I’m thrilled for this opportunity at The Pound as artist in residence and am really excited about getting creatively involved with the community as well as developing my practice in new ways.

“I’m exploring ideas about nature, environment, creativity, and wellbeing and visitors to the studio are more than welcome.”

Clare Winnan is the creator and owner of Lacewing Upholstery and Furniture and is an upholsterer, maker and fine artist.

She works with both modern and traditional upholstery techniques to transform and create beautiful objects and items of furniture.

A total chair addict and lover of beautifully printed fabrics, coupled with the love of using her hands, upholstery was always a natural direction to move into.

Clare gained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Sculpture from Bath Spa University and a postgraduate degree in teaching art from Brighton University.

She said: “I am so thrilled to join The Pound as an artist in residence: it has such a community feel, it feels like a second family.”

They join existing Pound Arts resident artists Caroline Rudge; musician, Lewis Clark; and theatre company, The Last Baguette.