BLOG: Roz, Complex Simplicity, Artist
I’ve embraced the unexpected direction of my journey with the Classroom as Studio programme. Year One has already had a significant impact on my own personal and professional development as well as my design practice, so I’m excited to see how Year Two develops.
The ambition and scope of the programme intrigued me from the start. In my freelance roles as Creative Partner/Practitioner, I was conscious that my work in schools often involved short, intensive bursts: arriving, delivering and moving on. While these experiences were creatively rewarding, they rarely allowed time to embed myself in a school environment or contribute to longer-term change. This programme offered something different – time, depth and collaboration.
I wanted to gain a clearer understanding of the realities teachers face: their resources, ambitions, constraints and pressures. More importantly, I wanted to work with them to co-develop creative approaches that would build confidence and enable creativity to thrive beyond my presence in the classroom. At the same time, I was keen to reflect on my own practice (particularly my workshop delivery, leadership style), increase my experience & confidence when working with younger pupils – and to observe and adopt valuable tips from current teaching methods, while sharing my creative experience & passion for design.
One early and unexpected outcome was a growing awareness of my own pace! Years of independent working and ongoing deadlines had shaped a fast, highly responsive delivery style. Through reflection and honest dialogue with teachers and fellow artists, I learned the value of slowing down – allowing ideas, techniques and confidence to naturally evolve and develop at a pace that suited everyone involved. This shift benefitted not only the teachers and pupils, but my own practice as well.
Being actively involved in helping the schools develop creative work for public sharing also reignited my own practice and encouraged a more active presence on the current art scene. The programme encouraged me to return to creating more opportunities for exhibitions and events that had been sidelined due to back-to-back commissions & projects, reminding me of the importance and joy of creating ‘art for art’s sake’.
I’ve enjoyed working alongside teachers as a creative partner/mentor and hope I fulfilled the desire to become a ‘critical friend’. Collaborating with Charlotte & Lisa from Villiers and Jo & Lauren from SS&P highlighted the power of adaptability, trust and shared ambition. Together, we explored a wide range of processes – ranging from low-cost, monochrome sustainable mark-making through to fabric printing and creating ambitious collaborative costume/textiles designs – culminating in work displayed on a ‘live’ model (aka Lauren, teacher turned model!) in the final school installation. A public venue was secured by Charlotte (Villiers) which was a perfect example of her determination and growth to confidently secure a venue and install a fabulous exhibition for sharing to a wider audience.
I’ve loved working with the pupils and seeing them embrace the ‘Classroom as Studio’ approach. Perhaps most striking at an early stage was the realisation that focusing on highly ambitious technical outcomes are not always a necessary starting point. One session using limited resources & cost effective, everyday items demonstrated a surprising result of the pupils clearly enjoying the creative freedom and experimentation – their enjoyment evident by their pride in the final outcomes – proving that creativity doesn’t have to be limited by budget or resources.
Since embarking on the programme, my confidence has improved and there has been a notably positive effect on the direction of travel for my personal and professional development.
As I move into Year Two, collaboration will be my central focus. I aim to plan, develop, and deliver work with teachers, ensuring the programme is led by their needs and the aspirations of the students. My goal is simple: to support teachers in feeling confident, equipped and inspired to continue embedding creative practice after the programme ends. I also intend to inspire the pupils to increase and explore their knowledge, understanding and confident use of the ‘art language’, thus contributing to the overall aim of the schools involved, by contributing to the improvement of oracy skills.
This journey has strengthened my confidence, reshaped my approach and opened unexpected doors for my own creative business, inspired by my involvement on the programme. My overall aim is to help provide, encourage and support a rich and truly rewarding creative experience which will help inspire all involved to flourish and grow.
About the Artist
Roz is an established Costume Designer/Maker with extensive experience across costume, fashion, textiles and mixed-media visual art. Her design practice combines avant-garde design, bespoke commissions and socially engaged artwork, including sculptural forms.
Alongside her design practice, Roz actively engages in freelance work across the UK with educational establishments and community groups – delivering creative projects, workshops, mentoring, consultancy and training. Her freelance roles include Creative Partner, Facilitator, Visiting Lecturer, Mentor and Artist-Educator.
Balancing design commissions, freelance consultancy roles and visual art, Roz’s multidisciplinary approach fuels a dynamic body of Avant-Garde work which is rooted in sustainability, ethical practice and social consciousness – using creativity as a tool for dialogue, reflection and meaningful transformation.
Current exhibitions include A Stitch in Time at Berrington Hall (National Trust) and a large-scale 3D fibreglass globe commissioned by The World Reimagined, on display at Bristol Cathedral
