Lizzie Rigby is a visual artist with a passion for Carnival arts and community-driven creative projects. She joined Global Grooves in 2017 as a lead artist for Creating Carnival Illuminated as part of the Mossley Light Festival, marking the start of her journey in outdoor arts. Since then, Lizzie has become an integral part of the team, leading on the development and preparation of visual arts for touring productions and large-scale performances.
With a background in hand-painted furniture and homeware, Lizzie expanded her practice into the world of Carnival arts, creating costumes and giant puppets, and performing as a stilt walker and puppeteer in our commercial performances and events. Her work is proudly displayed as part of a permanent exhibition at The Vale, created as part of Cotton Culture, a project that explores the global links of the local area through textiles and traditional parading practices.
In 2023, Lizzie was a lead puppet maker for the Cotton Carnival project, a national collaboration with Emergency Exit Arts and Historic England, culminating in a stunning, large-scale, community driven performance in Stalybridge. She has also contributed to international projects in Ghana and The Gambia, and was a lead artist for the Sharing of Gifts project for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
As a lead artist for Cabasa CIC, Lizzie continues to develop her expertise in Carnival arts while contributing to the wider arts community. Her work with Global Grooves and beyond has established her as a highly respected figure in the field of visual and community arts.