Alongside the individual artist features, The Smile Within brings together a further group of contributors whose work reflects the breadth, diversity and quiet strength of creativity within the dental community. Spanning collage, textiles, photography and mixed media, these artists each offer a unique perspective on wellbeing; demonstrating how creative expression can support mental health in deeply personal ways.

Creativity as Expression and Renewal

Les Jones

Designer, photographer and founder of Contemporary Collage Magazine, Les Jones brings a bold, contemporary voice to the exhibition. His work explores positivity, movement and emotional uplift through layered composition and colour.

• Fly : an original mixed media collage on wood panel, carries a strong, uplifting message, encouraging lightness and possibility £195
• Joy an archival print, uses fragments of found materials and an intentionally incomplete word to symbolise progress, growth and optimism. £95

For Les, collage becomes a way of reconstructing meaning. Taking fragments and shaping something hopeful, reflective of how creativity can help reframe thought and emotion.

Wendy Farr

Through a series of smaller mounted works, Wendy Farr contributes accessible and thoughtful pieces that invite quiet engagement. Modest in scale but rich in intention, her works reflect the everyday value of creative practice, offering calm, focus and a simple pathway into making and observing.

Photography, Presence and Perspective

Nigel Mallon

Nigel Mallon’s photographic series speaks powerfully to the role of creativity in managing an active, restless mind.

Living with ADHD, Nigel describes photography as both a pursuit and a refuge: the “thrill of the hunt” paired with the rare stillness that comes when a moment is fully captured. His work spans extraordinary global experiences, from East Africa to Ukraine, often shaped through his involvement in charitable dental work and volunteering with Bridge2Aid.

Each image tells a story:

• The Butterfly Effect — a rescued moment, symbolising how small actions ripple outward
• Resilience — capturing life at the edge of hardship, and the strength within it
• The Eye — reflecting connection and contrast between worlds
• Surreal Sunflowers — beauty set against the reality of conflict
• Umbrella — finding joy unexpectedly, even in difficult environments

For Nigel, photography not only documents experience, it creates space for reflection, gratitude and meaning.

Len D’Cruz

Len’s photographic work is guided by clear, uplifting messages, using imagery as a form of encouragement and perspective.

• Lighting The Way uses the image of a lighthouse in stormy conditions to symbolise hope; a reminder that even in our darkest moments, support and guidance are always present.
• Life Is About Balance captures a ballet dancer in poised motion, reflecting the challenges of balancing work, family, health and personal wellbeing.

Through simple yet powerful visual metaphors, Len’s work speaks directly to the emotional realities many within the profession experience.

Bridget Ashton

A retired general dental practitioner now teaching clinical skills in Plymouth, Bridget’s work reflects both sustainability and memory.

Her piece, A New Day Begins, is created entirely from collected fabric scraps, each one carrying its own story, gathered over years of creative life. The process itself becomes an act of remembrance and joy, with every fragment reconnecting the artist to moments of happiness. Minimum Bid £75.

The result is both visually uplifting and emotionally grounding; a reminder that wellbeing can be stitched together through reflection, reuse and care.

A Shared Purpose

Across these works, a common thread emerges — creativity as a means of processing, pausing, and reconnecting. Whether through collage, fabric, photography or paint, each artist uses their medium to explore resilience, perspective and the small but significant moments that support mental wellbeing.

Together, they remind us that art does not need to be grand or perfect to be meaningful. It simply needs to be honest.

A Growing Movement

The Smile Within represents something truly special — a first for the dental profession at a major conference, bringing together creativity, community and mental health in one shared space.

The scale of interest and the depth of contribution from so many artists reflects a clear and growing need: for connection, for expression, and for conversations about wellbeing that go beyond the clinical.

This exhibition is not just a moment — it is a beginning.

With such a powerful response, it is hoped that The Smile Within will become the first of many, continuing to create space for the dental community to share, reflect and support one another through art.

Meet the other Artists

Below is a selection of other featured artists. Click on the links to see their artwork submissions, each deeply connected to mindfulness and mental wellbeing.

Join us at The Smile Within art exhibition in May and make a difference, one pledge, one piece of art, one smile at a time.

We look forward to seeing you there.

An online bidding site is now live. You can bid on artwork online, as well as at the event.

Online bidding ends at 3:45 pm on 16 May. The winning bidder can collect their artwork on Saturday, 16 May, from the stand after 4pm. If you (or a trusted friend) are unable to take your piece with you, we’re happy to arrange delivery. Please note that postage and packaging costs will be added and confirmed after purchase.