We Are All Derbyshire is a county-wide celebration of the people of Derbyshire through a series of portraits by artist Melissa Speed. More than this, it is a project about community and a celebration of the good in the world. Derbyshire residents have been involved at every stage.
Warmed by the community spirit in her village, Melissa Speed became inspired to create portraits reflecting the good in the world. She recognised that the landscapes are so beautiful they tend to overshadow the people, but was witnessing the difference they were making to those landscapes and to the communities and the lives of those within them, as well as for visitors. From then it was months of planning, researching, and organising to get to the official launch of We Are All Derbyshire in the summer of 2024.
Melissa wanted it to be a collection of the people, for the people, chosen by the people. She also wanted it to represent all areas within the county and this is shown in the exhibition.
More details can be found at https://www.weareallderbyshire.com