“Cathy uses her drive and teamwork, her non-stop, creative, daring and experimental ideas and insight into various communities to produce projects which are targeted, effective and informed” Jude Kelly MBE
“She is an inspirational and exceptional both as a creator and as a leader. Her significant understanding of diversity and accessibility was embraced by Bristol Beacon. Her ideas throughout our project were intelligent, imaginative and relevant and with her team of artists, she created and delivered a number of wonderful interpretive designs encouraging heritage, participation and diversity at all levels of the organisation. On a personal level, she was one of the most creatively energising people I have worked with over the past thirty years”. Sarah Smith MBE
“Cathy has imagined and created a heritage interpretation scheme for Bristol Beacon that has surpassed our expectations of what a heritage project in a cultural venue can be and do. She has taken our brief, exploded it out and created work that has touched all parts of our organisation and is contemporary and vibrant, adding colour and light to our spaces but keeping our history and heritage centre stage. More than this she has helped us shine a light on voices and stories that are often overlooked and unseen, allowing us to live our vision of welcome and warmth more visibly every day. Cathy is one of those rare creatives who has amazing ideas and actually makes them happen. We would work with her again in a heartbeat.” Sarah Robertson, Bristol Beacon
“I have never had the pleasure to work with someone of Cathy’s ability, which in every respect is outstanding. She is expert at adapting her communication style to suit whatever audience she is addressing. She is never dogmatic and always ready to listen, though when a decision has been made she is resolute in her efforts to bring it to a successful conclusion. As Director for the Forrest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Cathy’s contribution has been invaluable…she has attended to all aspects of the Trust’s business with unstinting attention. Cathy is remarkable in the way she is able to monitor all the major points in a portfolio. For instance, when I was chairman of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail I could rely on her keeping me updated on the implications of our finances, in a way that the accountant could never do!” Andrew Stonyer, Chair, Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust.
Cathy Mager speaking on stage with Jonathan Dimbleby at Beacon Hall, November 2023.