Venues Sought To Display Paintings From Derbyshire Libraries Portrait Project
A project to celebrate local heroes in Derbyshire by immortalising them in art is looking for venues to display some of the portraits.
A project to celebrate local heroes in Derbyshire by immortalising them in art is looking for venues to display some of the portraits.
Seven Derbyshire County Council libraries hosted portrait artist Melissa Speed throughout August, in order to gather nominations from residents about which local unsung heroes they thought deserved to have their portrait painted for the project, called We Are All Derbyshire.
Library-goers were asked to fill out nomination forms at Matlock, Heanor, Swadlincote, Buxton, Bolsover, Glossop and Ashbourne libraries. Melissa wanted to capture the likenesses of local people doing good work in Derbyshire’s communities.
Melissa, who appeared on Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year in October 2023, lives and works in Derbyshire. She held sittings, getting to know her subjects, hearing their stories and taking reference photos. And she is now in the portrait creation phase, with some portraits already complete and ready for framing.
The portraits will all be revealed at the opening of the collective exhibition on Friday 28 March at 7pm until 8.30pm at Glossop Labour Club (the club is no longer affiliated with any political party) in Chapel Street. The portraits will be on show there for a week and will then go on display individually or in small sets across the county in publicly accessible places such as cafes, some libraries, bars and community centres.
If anyone would like to exhibit a portrait, or two to three portraits, at their venue, Melissa would love to hear from them. It could be for any length of time up until Saturday 21 June. Email melissa@weareallderbyshire.com
Councillor Barry Lewis, Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change, said: “I’m very excited to see Melissa’s work and look forward to having them displayed in our libraries and at other venues across the county.
“This looks set to be a memorable tribute to the marvellous people who make Derbyshire so special, and the role Melissa and our libraries have played in celebrating our communities.”
Melissa said: “I’ve been spending some time getting to know each sitter, as this helps me decide on composition. It's an absolute privilege and pleasure meeting these lovely, remarkable people and so uplifting to hear such positive stories.”
Once the exhibition launches, the portraits will also go live on Melissa’s website www.weareallderbyshire.com, and there will be booklets about the project with the portraits in them available to buy. The small booklets will be available at the exhibition event and via the website They will feature the portraits and a little about the sitters, as well as an overview of the project.
After exhibiting, the portraits will be given to the sitters to keep.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Picture of man released as part of investigation into burglary in Swanwick Police have released a picture of man we would like to speak with in relation to a burglary in Swanwick. read more | |
| Opticians celebrates two decades in Belper GLASSES will be raised by the team at a Belper opticians to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the town with a special event. read more | |
| Derbyshire Makes Returns April - May 2026 With Heritage And Future Making Residents will be encouraged to get creative this spring with the return of Derbyshire County Council's fla read more | |
| Shoplifter tracked down and caught by officers after targeting shop in Alfreton Officers tracked down and arrested a thief who stole a number of items from a shop in Alfreton. read more | |
| Up to £250 funding available to start a Amber Valley Neighbourhood Watch Residents across Amber Valley are being encouraged to help make their streets and communities safer, m read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
