CONSCIOUS CREATIVITY Beth Morris Workshops inspire us

“I wanted to create a real community, where people felt a part of something”

Beth Morris has always been determined to do more than just ‘teach’

CONSCIOUS CREATIVITY We speak to the founder of Beth Morris Workshops about her community art school which seeks to combine creativity with genuine friendships

By Lisa Evans

If you watched the live and virtual ardiff ie Awards this year, you would have seen the gloriously emotional moment that Beth Morris Workshops won. So beautiful it will be permanently etched in our brains, for that moment, when Beth’s three daughters went wild on hearing the news that their lovely mum was a winner, not only got us right in the feels, but it made us realise that doing the awards on a screen, virtually, for the rst time ever cough, pandemic was just as celebratory as they have been in real life. If not more so, because having the event live in people’s living rooms meant entire families could join in the merriments, which has never before been the case. This moment made it all make sense for us. Just google “Beth Morris Workshops Twitter” and hit play, and play it loud – there’s been over 10k views, too.

Beth’s kids have been involved since the outset of their mum’s business, as Beth tells us. “Three years ago, one of my daughters asked me to help her draw a hydrangea flower, she says. Together we studied the shapes

and colours; I wanted her to realise that through drawing we really learn to see. The gorgeous picture she created is framed in our living room, it acts as a reminder of the lightbulb moment when I realised I needed to get back to teaching and start my own business.”

And so Beth Morris Workshops – a community art school based in a converted dairy on the heritage site of Insole Court – was born. Here, Beth tells us more.

Talk us through the moment you won your award… ell it wasn’t the usual build-up as this year saw the rst ever ardiff ie virtual awards ceremony. Originally, I had shopped for a dress and bought the most sparkly gold shoes. I got my hair done and I was super excited for a night out with my husband, friends and the many faces of Cardiff business. Then lockdown happened, and those plans changed. The ardiff ie team were very quick to react setting a new date but then decided to adapt like the rest of the world and embrace zoom.

© CLARE HARDING PHOTOGRAPHY

“y ashion illstration ooks ere lished orldide”

For my family, this was the ultimate in excitement. They planned all day as it meant they could watch the awards too. They created ardiff Life banners and took my photo. y husband lled the wine glasses and set the T to record. The creative category winner was announced rst and I heard my daughters cheering before I heard my name There was a slight delay on my zoom call so they were jumping around the living room in delight as I sat in shock. y husband recorded their lovely reaction and it has been viewed over 10,000 times on Twitter. To know my girls are so proud of their mum is so heart-warming. They would never have been able to be part of the experience had the awards not been virtual. I am so grateful I was able to share it with them. e celebrated with pizza from The ough Thrower.

Tell us more about your business… It began in with a couple of workshops running from rooms rented by the hour at Insole Court in Cardiff. The rst sessions only had two students but I was determined to grow the business idea. y I persuaded Insole Court to allow me to rent a studio on a more permanent basis. y creating a base for the workshops, word of an independent art school started to spread.

The growth over the last three years has been achieved by increasing the volume and range of workshops on offer. In , we were known as a community art school and we now have over students attending weekly workshops every term. There are waiting lists for every single workshop. ome students have been with us since the early days and are now on their tenth term attending.

What’s the ethos? The inspiration was to create a place where adults and children can come to learn new skills but also to meet new people. Even in a busy city like Cardiff, people can still feel isolated. hen I started the business, I was determined to do more than just teach. I wanted to create a real community, where people felt a part of something. Combining creativity with genuine friendships is so important to improving mental wellbeing and reducing loneliness. e offer affordable workshops but also embrace the need for a balance of chat, relaxation and enjoyment in the sessions. There are no exams, moderators or homework that you will encounter in an academic situation, so stress levels are non-existent.

© CLARE HARDING PHOTOGRAPHY

OPPOSITE PAGE: Iris Apfel collages, inspired by artist Melvin G, created at the workshops ABOVE: Our Community is our Strength atrwork, by Rebecca Strickson LEFT: Beth thinks it’s art that heals the heart

One of the passions is to make sure children of all ages foster a love of art. It’s amazing to see so many young Picassos taking part in the art clubs after school or in the holidays. It’s especially rewarding to see the teens committed to drawing, fashion, textiles and journaling. es, I know maths and science are important, but hats off to these kids engaging in their own time.

I truly believe that you can make anything happen if you try hard enough. So, winning the creative ardiff ie award shows that you should believe that even little people can do great things! (Those that know me will smile at this because I am only ve foot tall.

What do you love about working in Cardiff? I’m a Cardiff girl through and through. aving a business based in my hometown is pretty damn perfect. My children’s schools are close to the studio and I live just a bike ride away. I pinch myself every time I unlock the door to my studio.

What were you doing before you opened the workshops? I took years off work to be a stay-at-home mum. efore this I was a senior fashion lecturer and successful author of two fashion illustration books published worldwide. When the girls started school, I found it dicult to nd employment as I’d been off work for so long. It was a low time for me I lost condence and self-belief but I still had the same skills if not more, so deciding to create my own job was a big thing. I thank my lucky stars for every job interview that didn’t go my way.

Is there someone in business that you admire and try learn from? This is easy olly Tucker. he is one of the co-founders of ot on The igh treet, and now runs olly Co a business supporting independent makers, artists and entrepreneurs. olly runs the best podcast called ‘Conversations of Inspiration’ with guests from the creative business world.

Your proudest moment in business? eaturing on C’s he ne ho is dicult to top. They featured a short lm about us and how we benet the local community. It shows the Silver Sketchers in a workshop at my studio. Two of the brain injury survivors are interviewed about the benets of art and the community that they have joined. It’s a wonderful, heart-warming lm where the interviewer sketches the survivors and then reveals how he sees them. e says, It’s art that heals the heart that happens here, and TAT is exactly what happens at eth orris orkshops. n

or more eth orris orkshos Insole ort ardiff ethmorrisorkshoscok

LOCAL LOVE 10 of Beth’s favourite local, indie businesses in Cardiff…

1. BLASUS SUCCULENT EMPORIUM I love visiting The Bone Yard to see my plant-loving pal. I have become a crazy plant lady.

2. THE DOUGH THROWER It’s the best pizza place ever, and it’s thankfully on my doorstep.

3. BETI BIGGS Whenever I need a gift or something for my home, I know Jan will have the perfect item. 4. LIZ MOSLEY Teaming up with this business wonder woman and graphic designer has been the making of Beth Morris Workshops in recent months.

5. WARRIOR WOMEN COLLECTIVE Amy and Charlotte’s female networking events are always earmarked in my calendar.

6. BUTTER AND SUGAR CAKES Bespoke couture-style cakes created by Megan from her kitchen.

7. CREATIVE MORNINGS/CARDIFF Amazing creative breakfast lecture events. I have learnt so much from the creatives that these guys have organised to speak.

8. HYGGE FOR HOME This is my wonderful friend who is building a house and influencing the world!

9. RIPPLE LIVING My children love to embrace sustainability; we never leave without dried mango, raw chocolate buttons and recycled pencils.

10. INSOLE COURT Cardiff’s hidden treasure in the heart of Llandaff is an absolute dream. I love this heritage site and all it offers the community.