ABIGAIL Kilfedder is Stanwix's answer to Banksy.

She is a fine arts graduate who made the courageous decision to go freelance - a bold step considering how soon afterwards the country was locked down by the pandemic.

But Artscool, as she called it, is doing well.

The 47-year-old mother-of-two, teaches at Trinity two days a week and is involved in projects at Stanwix school but also around Carlisle and event in workington where she is involved in a Percy Kelly project.

However, it is Abigail's community work that gets her noticed.

She has been responsible for art work seen all over Stanwix and, more often than not, on the walls of the Crown and Thistle pub.

She has involved children in projects in and out of school and is upcycling plastics of all kinds in the process.

In 2015 she started making poppies out of muffin liners. It was just a small project that caught on.

In the end there were over 2,000 of these poppies on display at St Michael's Church, most bearing the names of those who had died in war or those just remembered by loved ones.

The project grew and spread until plastic plates were eventually upcycled t make the poppies which then spread out of the church and into the open air.

She has been involved with Stanwix in Bloom for many years. Although the Cumbria in Bloom competition has not been held during Covid, she has been responsible for art works to beautify the area.

This included working with Stanwix children to make bumble bees and ladybirds and large leaves - again recycling plastic.

News and Star: HEARTS FOR HEALTH WORKERS: Abby Kilfedder with her recent project making hearts for The Cumberland Infirmary, with pupils from at Stanwix SchoolHEARTS FOR HEALTH WORKERS: Abby Kilfedder with her recent project making hearts for The Cumberland Infirmary, with pupils from at Stanwix School

Abigail said she does these things because she loves art and the projects bring her joy.

That probably does not quite explain why she also organises fundraisers.

The person who nominated Abigail, who did not wish to be named, said: "She recently organised the Stanwix 'post' Covid, pre Xmas boost / celebration.

"This involved alpacas and elves in the community hut giving back to the community and also raising funds for Eden Valley hospice.

" She will hate me for this nomination but i think that she is just a bit special and has an amazing artistic talent which she uses for the good of the whole community."