Daisi

22/03/2026

A final look back as we prepare to close this account 💔

We're so sad that Daisi's journey has come to an end but what an incredible journey it has been.
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It is with deep sadness that the Board of Trustees announces that Daisi will close at the end of March 2026.
For over 30 years, Daisi has been committed to ensuring that children and young people across Devon and Torbay – particularly those who face barriers to accessing the arts –have opportunities to create, imagine, and express themselves. We are incredibly proud of the artists, educators, partners, and communities who have shaped this work and enabled thousands of young people to experience the joy and confidence that creative engagement can bring.

Please visit www.daisi.org.uk for further information

15/03/2026

Liz has led Daisi for 21 years. Here, she reflects on the charity’s journey, the partnerships that shaped it, and the legacy it leaves across Devon and Torbay.

Read Liz’s full statement: https://daisi.org.uk/directors-statement/

01/03/2026

Messages of support have been flooding in, and they’ve meant the world to the team. 💛

Without our amazingly talented and committed artists Daisi would not have existed. Thank you, all.
_________________________________

It is with deep sadness that the Board of Trustees announces that Daisi will close at the end of March 2026.

For over 30 years, Daisi has been committed to ensuring that children and young people across Devon and Torbay – particularly those who face barriers to accessing the arts –have opportunities to create, imagine, and express themselves. We are incredibly proud of the artists, educators, partners, and communities who have shaped this work and enabled thousands of young people to experience the joy and confidence that creative engagement can bring.

Please visit www.daisi.org.uk for further information

25/02/2026

It is with deep sadness that the Board of Trustees announces that Daisi will close at the end of March 2026.

For over 30 years, Daisi has been committed to ensuring that children and young people across Devon and Torbay – particularly those who face barriers to accessing the arts –have opportunities to create, imagine, and express themselves. We are incredibly proud of the artists, educators, partners, and communities who have shaped this work and enabled thousands of young people to experience the joy and confidence that creative engagement can bring. 🎨 🎭

This decision has been reached after careful consideration. Despite the dedication of our staff team and trustees, the continuing shift in the funding landscape has made it impossible for us to secure the long-term financial stability the organisation needs to continue its work.

The trustees are now overseeing a planned and responsible wind-down of operations.
Please visit our website: www.daisi.org.uk for more information.

To everyone who has supported Daisi over the years – artists, schools, funders, young people, families, and community partners – thank you. Your belief in the power of the arts has made a genuine difference to young lives across our region 💛

While Daisi will be closing, the impact of the work we have achieved together will continue to benefit children, young people, and local communities. 🧑🏽‍🎨 We hope that, alongside us, you will continue to champion arts provision in Devon and Torbay.

11/02/2026

Thanks to The Helen Foundation's funding, children across Teignbridge have had the opportunity to welcome a Daisi Artist into their classroom. From Clay to Cardboard these hands on session have been building confidence and raising aspirations.

Thank you to The Helen Foundation, without whom these extraordinary arts experiences wouldn’t have been possible. 🖼️ 🎭 🎨

Just a few of schools who have taken part:

* Haytor View Community Primary School and Nursery
* Shaldon Primary School
* St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
* Starcross Primary
* Teignmouth School
* Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary
* Islington C of E
* Broadhempston Primary School

And some of the wonderful artists commissioned for these workshops:

Anna Boland
James Lake Sculpture
Alastair Lambert
Claire Jo Harmer
Lou Chapman Arts

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

Students from Exeter College have been exploring Exeter’s heritage, uncovering hidden stories, and imagining the future through printmaking workshops ✨

📸 Thousands of Exeter’s irreplaceable photographs are being restored and digitised by The ISCA Project, led by South West Heritage Trust, with Daisi bringing history to life for young people through creative workshops. #

📸 Funded by and The National Lottery Heritage Fund
🎭 Collaboration with

CreativeLearning ArtsEducation Printmaking DramaWorkshops CulturalHeritage ExeterHistory Devon DevonSchools ExeterCollege devonartists

21/01/2026

Little Works, Big Difference... The results are in! 🎉

We received entries from schools across the county, featuring everything from butterflies to samurais. The range of subject matter, materials and approaches made judging a real challenge.

Swipe to see all the highly commended artworks, then the winner from each age group. Winners will soon get their art material bundles and our overall winner has won a Daisi Arts Workshop for their school! 🎨

The open brief let children create freely, exploring ideas and materials however they wanted – exactly what Daisi is all about.

Huge thanks to our judges: Gillian Taylor Devon Artist Network & Devon Open Studios , Emily Hadley and Lisa Howard, Head of Daisi’s Board of Trustees, who had a tough job picking from such an imaginative selection.

Thank you to all the schools and young people who took part, you made Little Works, Big Difference a real celebration of creativity across the county.

Read more about the competition here: https://daisi.org.uk/2026/01/19/little-works-winners/

12/01/2026

🦉 Recently, Daisi Artist Lou Chapman visited Clyst Vale Community College to work on these brilliant bird sculptures.
The students had been learning about birds of prey so this workshop was the perfect compliment to the topic.
The students started off by drawing the birds, before making and printing feathers using a selection of recycled tools. After building the bodies from newspaper, eyes and ears were added to create these wonderfully characterful owls!

07/01/2026

For the past few months, Daisi has been running Little Works, Big Difference, inviting schools and young people across the county to create their own mini masterpieces. It’s been wonderful to see so many children exploring their creativity and expressing themselves in such imaginative ways! 🎨✨

Next week, our judging panel – Gillian Taylor, , Emily Hadley, and our Chair of the Board Lisa – will be selecting the winners. One of whom will win a Daisi Arts Workshop for their school! We can’t wait to celebrate their creativity and share the results with you soon.

23/12/2025

2025 has been a year full of creativity, connection, and learning – moments that remind us why the arts matter so much. Thanks to your support, more children and young people across Devon and Torbay have been able to take part in creative activities they might otherwise have missed.
Thank you to our…

🖼️ Creative practitioners
For bringing your talent, care, and imagination to every workshop, helping young people feel confident and inspired to explore the arts.

🏫 Schools, colleges, and community partners
For welcoming us and making it possible for creativity to reach more young people, often in busy and stretched environments.

👫 Funders and supporters
Your generosity ensures that projects reach the young people who need them most.

👥 Board and Young Trustees
For your guidance, honesty, and commitment throughout the year.

And finally… our young people 👦🏾👧🏻
You are at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for your ideas, enthusiasm, and creativity — you’re the reason Daisi exists.

We hope you have a peaceful, joyful festive season. We look forward to seeing you in 2026 and to creating more extraordinary arts and cultural opportunities together.

17/12/2025

🎄✨ Christmas magic in Crediton!

James Hedge and Jess Carvill, our Daisi Artists, brought the festive spirit to life with a pop-up make & take workshop at the Crediton Christmas Lights Switch-On. Families got busy creating robins, reindeers, gingerbread characters, fairies and more, taking home their own little pieces of Christmas cheer.

Thank you to Crediton Events and Town Centre Office for funding the workshop, and to Exeter Scrapstore for helping us to keep it crafty and sustainable! 🎨🎅