How it all began…a dream to reality

If you have just discovered Meraki Art school you might be wondering how an art school appeared out of nowhere and took up residency atthe Guildhall shopping centre in the heart of Exeter.  It started how all things start I guess, an idea, a dream and a life changing jump. Let me take you back to before the beginning.

In May 2021 I worked as a lead teacher in a local Multi academy trust and was the faculty leader in creative arts, I was undertaking my part time Master’s degree as well as trying to make a name for myself as a serious artist.  I had been in education for 17 years and although there were many things I loved about teaching and schools one thing I could not stand being was how art was handled in the current educational system.

During the third lockdown of Covid 19 my Mum was battling with her cancer diagnosis and I was deeply unhappy.  Having experienced first-hand the positive impact art can have on young people and how children thrive and get a wonderful sense of achievement and confidence through being creative it was frustrating to see the creative arts constantly being put aside by schools to focus on catch up sessions in such a rigid timetabled curriculum.  I knew the importance and value of art in education and it pained me thinking children were missing out.  I thought about the less academic students who gain so much from it and others who have such a passion and flare for creativity.

I had always dreamed of setting up my own art school, a place where children were taught by real artists, where they were inspired to live creative lives and feel success in being able to express themselves.  A creative a place where skills and techniques were taught to young people so they would have the tools and confidence to be brave, to take creative risks and overcome, setting them up for real futures.  I knew I had to listen to myself and apply my intentions for my art school to my life, "be brave, take risks, overcome."  One night sat at my computer and I knew it was time to make my dream reality.

“I was thinking of calling it ‘Inspire’ what do you think?"  I consulted my Mum as we sat in her summer house overlooking her fishpond.  We would sit for hours discussing names and thinking up ideas for possible classes. I messaged Mum a few days later about calling it "Meraki"saying it means to put something of yourself into what you do? "It’s perfect!' She said and was beyond excited that my dreams were starting to become a reality.

Mum suggested that I asked my cousin, Sophie Deller, to design me a logo and together we collected ideas I liked in a Pinterest board. Soon Matisse cut-outs and folk art dominated the board and before long she came up with the Meraki bird.  I had no savings, was in my overdraft but I had worked out the minimum income I could live on to get me through.  

Telling my plans of leaving my current job to follow my dream to my friend and school colleague Carrie she encouraged me further saying she was keen to join me and be involved in the Meraki adventure and she could offer her skills as a great photographer and website designer.

Before I knew it, I was on the phone to Mum telling her howI had resigned from my job and was no longer a school teacher I was in fact the owner of my very own art school.  Mum was so happy sitting in her chair thinking of me and my new future and how I had actually done it, I had left my job and followed my dream.  My mum called herself and definitely is my secret partner in Meraki.  She was my greatest cheerleader as she would sit in her chair going through my plans coming up with all sorts of wonderful ideas to inspire me and the children in her last days.  She was and still is my true inspiration in everything I do and Meraki Art School would never have come to be without her.

In the evening of 8th September 2021 Mum lost her battle with cancer and got her angel wings.  The next day my sister organised the family, including my gran and Mum's 5 siblings to all come to the family home to help prepare for Meraki’s first ever event.  On September 10th 2021, we ran a three day Meraki Art School stand at the Bovey Tracy craft festival.  The whole family came to support us, and I don’t know how we could have got through those days without them.

So, it was none stop from there and in the coming months we had full classes.  Dragging all our materials and equipment to a hired local community centre we faced the trials and tribulations that came with running an art school in a temporary location.  After a few events working with the Guildhall Shopping Centre, I met with Nikki Fairclough the marketing manager who understood my vision for the art school and what I wanted to achieve.  She was wonderful and offered me the support of the Guildhall shopping centre and use of their space on the1st floor of the Guildhall.  

If you are thinking of taking the leap, go for it.  I promise you that if you complete believe inwhat you are doing, if you are doing it for positive change and if you do it with kindness and gratitude you will never look back.  

Since then, Meraki Art School has grown so much running 6weekly full classes as well as monthly ticketed classes and regular holiday workshops.  

We are all so grateful and excited for the future of MerakiI have so many plans and ambitions for the Art school, but more than anything I’m excited to see our young artists thrive in this creative world.

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Bovey Tracey Craft Festival 2021.  The two children in the photo are my secondcousins. Pictured behind are my three aunties, my cousin and my Gran who allcome to support us.

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Guildfest 2021 was the day we did our first event at theGuildhall and met Nikki Fairclough, who has supported us throughout ourjourney, offering us the studio space we use today.

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Here we met some of our very first students who have remained with us to this day.

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