About us

Bringing Heritage Alive!

Illuminated Arts develops community-centred arts and heritage projects that change people’s perspective, improves their sense of self, enhances their wellbeing and generates a sense of belonging and pride that benefits the whole community. By uncovering hidden truths and discovering lost knowledge, we enable people to learn from the past and help disperse the unspoken emotional burdens of our social history and heritage.

Melissa Jo Smith

Melissa Jo Smith is a visual artist, filmmaker, poet, writer, textile artist and arts producer. She formerly worked as  communications and development manager for a large international voluntary network, where she developed communications tailored and targeted to a variety of different audiences, managed projects and trained new NGOs in communications and business planning.

Rebecca Cole-Coker

Rebecca Cole-Coker trained in textile design at Chelsea School of Art, London and fine art printmaking at postgraduate level at Camberwell School of Art, London. Rebecca’s work is held in major international design and art collections, notably Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Victorias Secret in the USA, Harrods, Laura Ashley, Sanderson, Marks and Spencer, Next , John Lewis and the National Trust in the UK and has been successfully exhibited in major exhibitions internationally. Having established an international reputation in the textile industry as a designer of exquisite, contemporary florals.