Commissioned Artists
Creative director and spoken word poet.
www.antheaspeaks.com
‘The River’ is the brainchild of Anthea Barclay who is leading on the project as director and lead artist. Anthea is a poet, educator and creative producer, based in Bedford.
‘In her prose, poetry and performance, Anthea Barclay is the UK’s answer to Amanda Gorman- US poet laureate. Anthea’s writing scope, is always deeply moving, profound and skillfully crafted’
– Sharon Platt- McDonald
Born in London, Anthea is deeply connected to her British and Caribbean heritage. A former teacher and academic, she has a Bachelors in English Literature and History and a Masters in Commonwealth and Imperial History. ‘Since my childhood, poetry has been a way of expressing my thoughts and feelings. I am a poet, storyteller and educator. I use my pallet of words, to paint pictures that connect people to events, places and emotions. The River Great Ouse, (400 yards from my house) is a timeless story waiting to be retold, reclaimed, and celebrated. My aim is to deliver a project that will be an intergenerational and cross-cultural inspiration and celebration of our natural heritage. The river belongs to us all.’
