DAiSY - Disability Arts in Surrey

18/07/2025

We're delighted to announce our nomination for Surrey Artist of the Year 2025! Jennifer Dalcie is a Farnham based mixed media artist who attends the wonderful studio. For her, art is a form of therapy to process and cope with complex mental health struggles.

"I've always been interested in recycling materials that I try to use in my art practice; using a variety of different mediums, I love to experiment. I strive to create beauty out of the extraordinary. I'm often inspired by the natural environment around me, as I work part-time as a gardener." - Jennifer Dalcie

This year's shortlist brings together bold colour, fine detail, and rich storytelling through painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery and mixed media. Visitors can explore the exhibition and vote for their favourite artist at New Ashgate Gallery from 13 September. We're proud to be partners with for their commitment to providing accessible pathways into the programme.

Voting closes at noon on Friday, 17 October, ahead of the Award Ceremony at 7 pm the same day. The winner will receive a bursary, a solo exhibition, and the opportunity to lead a community engagement project in 2026.

16/07/2025

We're pleased to announce that DAiSY Chain Artist Mim Winsor has been selected by New Ashgate Gallery to deliver a workshop as a part of Farnham Craft Town.

Join Mim on Sunday 27th July to create light-sensitive prints using old darkroom paper, dried grasses, and pressed botanicals.

This camera-less process captures ghostly natural shapes, but the prints are not permanent. They will be sealed in lightproof bags, scanned by the artist after the workshop, and emailed to participants. A lasting image of a fleeting artwork, just like the moment in nature it reflects. A creative, thoughtful session exploring light, form, and the beauty of natural materials through photographic mark-making.

Organised by New Ashgate Gallery as part of the Farnham Craft Town programme. Supported by Farnham Town Council, DAiSY and the South Street Trust.

📍 Sunday 27 July, 1-5 pm, Gostrey Meadow

16/07/2025

We're so happy to announce our nomination for Surrey Artist of the Year 2025. Jennifer Dalcie is a mixed media artist who attends the studio , she uses art as a form of therapy to process and cope with complex mental health struggles.

"I've always been interested in recycling materials that I try to use in my art practice; using a variety of different mediums, I love to experiment. I strive to create beauty out of the extraordinary. I'm often inspired by the natural environment around me, as I work part-time as a gardener." - Jennifer Dalcie

This year's shortlist brings together bold colour, fine detail, and rich storytelling through painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery and mixed media. Visitors can explore the exhibition and vote for their favourite artist at New Ashgate Gallery from 13 September. We're proud to be partners with for their commitment to providing accessible pathways into the programme.

Voting closes at noon on Friday, 17 October, ahead of the Award Ceremony at 7 pm the same day. The winner will receive a bursary, a solo exhibition, and the opportunity to lead a community engagement project in 2026.

03/07/2025

Through residencies, exhibitions, and training, we create space for disabled, D/deaf and neurodivergent artists to grow, connect, and engage with arts and culture. We're searching for Surrey-based volunteers to help us make it happen! This is a flexible, ad-hoc role, perfect for those who want help when they can.

What support do we need? We have an exciting autumn/winter schedule ahead of us and need extra hands to set up events, performances, and exhibitions, support delivering or collecting artwork or materials around the Surrey area, and friendly faces to provide a warm welcome at our social events.

Interested? Email lucy@daisy-arts.org to find out more! www.daisy-arts.org

02/07/2025

Stuck for plans this month? Our member organisations have got you covered...

Ochre Print Studio celebrate with a vibrant summer showcase of contemporary printmaking at community Art Space, The Loft, from Wednesday 2nd July

Freewheelers Theatre and Media music group invite you to join them for for an evening of unique musical fun featuring some of our fantastic singers, musicians and dancers - Saturday 5th July at Downsend School, Leatherhead.

Stopgap Dance Company returns with their latest outdoor show RO-TES–រទេះ. With various dates this summer, across the UK this summer Disabled artist Nadenh Poan makes his choreographic debut in collaboration with Stopgap’s diverse and world class dancers.

The Artventure Trust celebrates learning disability week with an exhibition at Art and Grind in Guildford - on till 6th July.

LinkAble are excited to share The ActAbles Summer Show, 2025 — The Odyssey, with two shows will take place on 13th July at The Buzz Theatre Woking

Head2Head Sensory Theatre will be hosting an exciting series of summer workshops to hone your acting, dancing, singing, art, and theatre skills in a supportive and inspiring environment, taking place at The Barn in Oxted.

Bloomin' Arts Whether you're into painting, drawing, singing or dancing, there’s something for everyone at Bloomin’ arts workshops. With small group sizes and a truly personal experience, spaces fill up fast. Launching 21st July, get in touch to book on.

24/06/2025

We’re thrilled to announce Sam Barratt's incredible animated music video for 'Photosynthesis' is now live on Youtube!

The song was written and performed by John Hinton and Laura Mugridge as part of ’s musical comedy "Light Fantastic!"

💡"Light Fantastic!" is a show all about friendship and the science of light, it premiered this May at Brighton Fringe.

This vibrant animation was created through a collaboration between Ensonglopedia and DAiSY (Disability Arts in Surrey), with support from Arts Council England and the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

Huge thanks to everyone who made this possible and well done to Sam !

This is an animation by Sam Barrett to a song about photosynthesis by John Hinton.The song is performed by John Hinton and Laura Mugridge. It is taken from a...

17/06/2025

🖼️ Today marks the start of the 'Curating Exhibitions' course run in partnership with the national arts charity Outside In.

Funded by Arts Council England, this course supports 9 artists to learn about the practical elements of curating and putting on exhibitions. The course provides a great opportunity to learn new professional skills, meet a group of new artists, and work towards gaining future paid employment within the arts.

Throughout the course, participants will be introduced to ideas around storytelling, framing and placement of objects, as well as accessibility, marketing and evaluation.

Best of luck to our course attendees! Watch this space, art world 🚀🖼️

Image: Annie Gutteridge's Ginger Haired Lady, featured in the National Open Exhibition by Outside In, 2023

07/06/2025

🚀 It’s the launch of Surrey Artist Open Studios and DAiSY would like to spotlight some of the member organisations that are taking part!

Artventure Trust is a charity offering visual art sessions for adults with learning disabilities, physical impairments and autism. Their enthusiastic and professional team of artworkers and volunteers supports over 56 artists to create unique artworks.

⌚When? Opening today, Saturday 7th June. Open on Saturdays, Sundays and Thursdays till Sunday 22nd June. On Thursdays, visit by 2.30pm to meet the artists, or in the evening 6-8pm for an art workshop.

📍Where? St Peter's School, Horseshoe Lane East, Merrow, Guildford, GU1 2TN. The studio is on school grounds: go through the main entrance (if closed, ring ArtVenture), the studio is left-hand side on the edge of green playground.

05/06/2025

🚀 It’s the launch of SAOS and DAiSY would like to spotlight some of its member organisations that are taking part!

Creative Response sessions are run by local artists, who support our participants to make art in a range of media. Their participants own the work they make, and are proud to exhibit it in the annual summer exhibition.

'Komorebi' by Creative Creative-Response opens Saturday 7th June.

Komorebi is a Japanese word that translates literally as "sunlight leaking through trees". It describes a pattern of light and shadow and the beauty of dappled sunlight on a dark forest floor. Komorebi invites us to take notice, offering a moment of peace.

⌚When? Opening Saturday 7th June & Sunday 8th June 11am - 5pm. Late night opening Thursday 12th June 6 - 8pm.

Selected works, weekdays 9th June - 4th July 10am - 2.30pm. Full exhibition to view by appointment.

📍Where? Vernon house, 28 West Street, Farnham. GU9 7DR (next to Farnham library)

Image: The beautiful blooms are by artist Katy, who attends Creative Response. This artwork will be on show at Komorebi.

02/06/2025

DAiSY would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dorking Group of Artists for its incredible fundraising efforts, raising £440 for DAiSY through the sale of mini canvases.

Donations like this make such a meaningful difference, not only financially, but in helping to spread our message about inclusive arts.

A warm well done and thank you talented artists who generously gave their time to paint with us in mind. Your creativity and support mean the world to us!

NEXT EXHIBITION: AUTUMN 2025 AT DENBIES WINE ESTATE: 10 - 12 TH OCTOBER

26/05/2025

We're so excited to see a progress update for our new overseas project Windows to the World!

We're partnered with Arts With the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK) to imagine how artists from different regions can present their unique landscapes, creating a window for communication.

What would you like to see out of your window?

12/05/2025

Upcoming opportunity! DAiSY are partnering with Outside In to run a free 'Curating Exhibitions' course for artists based in Surrey and South East 🖼️

This course will take place at , in SQ Shopping Center, Camberley, Surrey

📅 There will be six sessions, one per week from Tuesday 17 June to Tuesday 22 July. All course sessions take place from 10am – 1pm.

The course is free. Access support, including BSL interpretation, note-taking, and a separate quiet room will be provided for those who require it.

Applications are open - apply by 9am Monday 2 June 2025

DAiSY is delighted to be partnering with Outside In to run a Curating Exhibitions course in 2025 at Hullabaloo in Camberley, Surrey.