Our Board

Vault board of trustees is an artist-led group of dedicated individuals from eclectic backgrounds, skill sets, perspectives and age ranges. Passionate and engaged, our board works collaboratively with Vault members and staff to support our mission of making space where art and artists can thrive.

Linda McBurney

CO-CHAIR
Linda McBurney has over 20 years of managerial experience in roles ranging from Operations Management, Project Planning, and Internal Communication. In 2014, she switched gears to follow her passion for Visual Art and is currently the HR Manager at the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) in Belfast.
Linda has seven years of experience as a Trustee, the last 3 with Vault. Before joining Vault, Linda was a Trustee and Company Secretary at Belfast Print Workshop (BPW). Linda has been a printmaker/artist at BPW for 14 years and is one of their trusted advisors.
Linda has an HND in Public Administration; and is a graduate of the University of Ulster and holds a B.A. in Business Studies and Marketing, specialising in change management and project planning.
Her passion for Vault is rooted in her personal ambition to provide affordable studio spaces for local artists and a community to support them.
www.instagram.com/lindamcburney
Kristi McHenry

CO-CHAIR
Kristi is a photographer and a founding member of Vault Artist Studios. She was Treasurer on the board when Vault was born and rejoined the board in 2023, now serving as Co-Chair.
In a former life, she was an investment analyst, football coach, and wedding photographer. Originally from Los Angeles, Kristi has lived in Belfast since 2009. She holds a Master’s degree in City Planning & Design from Queen’s University Belfast, where she focused on the role of art and culture in urban planning.
Kristi is passionate about changing the way artists are valued in Belfast and would love to secure a permanent home for the Vault community.
www.instagram.com/kristinickel
Marcus Patton

TRUSTEE
Marcus Patton is an architect who has worked with historic buildings for over forty years and is currently on the board of Hearth Historic Buildings Trust, which is working on the restoration of Riddel’s Warehouse. He is passionate about the reuse of derelict buildings as a way of bringing life into towns and cities. He has published several books on architecture and was awarded the OBE in 1995.
He has served on a variety of boards, including the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and the Historic Buildings Council. He is a longstanding member of Belfast Print Workshop and an Academician of the Royal Ulster Academy. He is also actively involved in classical music, playing in several orchestras and chamber groups, and sees the arts as an essential part of life.
www.ruaarchive.org/marcus-patton-rua
Mike Ditchfield

TREASURER
Mike works in public-sector finance by day (with a background as a Chartered Valuation surveyor), but by night, he’s facilitating breathwork, drum circles and movement events or coaching. Mike joined the Vault Board because he is passionate about the local arts, is amazed by the variety of artists associated with Vault and wants to share his experience in board-related activities.
www.instagram.com/mikeditchfield
Eoin McGinn

SECRETARY
Eoin McGinn is an artist living and working in Belfast. Since 2013 he has practiced as a street artist painting locally and internationally.
He works as an events organiser programming exhibitions and street art jams across Northern Ireland as well as holding the position of lead curator for Hit The North street art festival since 2020.
Eoin has been a member of Vault since its inception and joined the board of Trustees in 2023. And yes, he is supposed to be upside down!
www.emicartist.com
EMMA SHARPE

TRUSTEE
Emma Sharpe works in the public sector and is a chartered landscape architect. She joined the Vault Board in 2024 to bring her experience in city regeneration and her passion for creating vibrant, creative spaces through collaboration.
Emma is dedicated to promoting the role of art in Belfast’s identity, seeing it as a cornerstone of sustainable regeneration. She is passionate about holistic nature based design, and the role of nature in shaping our cities and enriching our lives. A keen gardener, Emma combines her professional expertise with a personal love for all things green.
www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sharpe
CHEYLENE MURPHY

TRUSTEE
Cheylene Murphy is a songwriter, producer and internationally touring musician primarily known for her NI Music Prize nominated indie pop duo Beauty Sleep. Having worked as a creative collaborator on productions and performances across Ireland, Cheylene is motivated by collaboration and uses her skills to deliver impactful projects over a varied portfolio career within the music industry including as a songwriter, composer, producer, workshop facilitator, videographer and session musician (keyboards, vocals, violin, bass guitar)
Cheylene’s membership in Vault since 2021 has had a significantly positive impact in her own career. She is passionate about advocating for affordable and appropriate studio spaces as well as a strong, multi-disciplinary artistic network, especially within music and the performing arts.
www.instagram.com/cheylenemurphy