THE founder of Artspace in Cinderford has celebrated its 25th birthday with a nomination for the Joseph Meager award.

Sara Weaving, of Ross, was recognised by a number of local people for her work and inspiration to community arts in the Forest. She was joined by members of the centre as well as friends and family who came together to see her pick up the award set-up in memory of artist and set designer, Joseph Meager, who was bought up in the Forest and died in 2004 at the age of 34. His family and friends set-up the trust to recognise people who generally go un-noticed – yet provide an invaluable contribution to enable arts activities to happen.

Sara chose to spend her award on a celebration of 25 years of Artspace.

Sara said: "I was really happy to receive the award as it represents something close to my heart which is to get people together in the community. This passion hasn't diminished over the last 25 years. I must credit those who came after and developed the Artspace ethos."

Sara's work at the community hub started in the 1980s and provided a place where anyone could access arts resources in a supportive atmosphere. The community consisted of artists who were provided a workspace, teachers who felt enabled to pass on their knowledge and skills, and technicians – mostly volunteers – who assisted everyone. When the first premises in Station Street had to be vacated there was a thriving management structure in place that enabled the move to Artspace's existing premises in the old Mercury office.

Sara has continued to be an active member of the Artspace community, helping to drive the change and development that ensures Artspace continues to support artists, teachers and their students to flourish.

She has also encouraged a wide variety of people to use Artspace and was especially innovative in the way she enabled people with learning disabilities to participate as equals in the Artspace community and celebrated their creativity with exhibitions that reached out to the wider art world.

Querkes of Faite provided live music and there were opportunities for people to bring and buy cds and dvds as well as participate in the raffle, commemorative Artspace quilt, and a stunning exhibition of work by Artspace learners, tutors and staff.

The next exhibition, Community Textiles, is on March 15 at 11am-1pm and March 20 at 11.30am-1.30pm.