Small group art and craft experiences in SoBo, Bournemouth & nearby yesicancw@gmail.com 07545 340037
Meet Me
If you would like to meet in person, or come and check out the Yes I Can! studio,
please do!
There are no silly questions.
Claire Murray
Mission
Growing a creative community is what it's all about at Yes I Can! Creative Workshops. To create joyful, inclusive spaces for curious people to explore different art forms, connect with others and grow their creative confidence.
Why
Inspired by my daughter, I want to show her that it’s possible to build a comfortable life by doing what you love and giving back to your community. After recently overcoming cancer, I feel more strongly than ever that life is too precious to spend chasing someone else’s dream. For me, art is both joyful and deeply therapeutic and I believe everyone can benefit from that. Too many children and adults miss out on the simple happiness creativity can bring. For children especially, art offers a rare space where there’s no “right” or “wrong.” It celebrates imperfection, encourages curiosity and helps them learn to take gentle risks. Most of all, it’s a rewarding, screen-free way to have fun and connect with the world around us.
Background
My background is rooted in the wonderful, unpredictable chaos of ceramics and travel. My three great loves -people, colour and making - meet right here in the work I do. Thirty years ago, I finished a Ceramics Degree and instantly found my tribe: a community of makers and clay-covered adventurers. Since then, life has taken me down some winding roads. I spent years as a travel agent in London, helping others explore the world, before circling back to my first love, art. I’ve run countless workshops and stepped into the role of Art Youth Worker, enabling spaces for creativity wherever I could - schools, festivals, parks, even a cinema. Eventually my home and garden became part of that map too, hosting my own after-school Friday Art Club and now my current workshops in my relaxing garden studio.
Sustainability
Recycling and re-use are at the heart of everything I do in my workshops and studio. I’m passionate about giving materials a second life, whether that’s reclaiming clay, turning everyday “rubbish” into moulds and stamps, or choosing recycled and repurposed materials for packaging. Even the studio itself reflects this commitment. It’s built from pre-loved flooring, reclaimed garage-doors for the roof, a second-hand potter’s wheel, a pre-loved kiln that continues its journey with me. Sustainability isn’t just a practice - it’s woven into every corner of my creative space.
Why Yes I Can! Creative Workshops is special
Every workshop you attend makes a real difference: £1 from every session goes straight to Maggie’s Southampton Cancer Care - the absolute legends who helped me through Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia and supported my daughter too. They lifted us up, gave counselling and financial advice and now it’s my turn to pass it on. Big love to Maggie’s, who are always welcoming - every time I go. I whole heartedly recommend them. Click the logo for more info.
Yes I Can! is special in another way, too. I make everything fun, welcoming and deeply encouraging, undoing any limiting beliefs. Also we will focus on making everything from scratch where possible, so your masterpiece is 100% your own. I'm always happy to answer a million questions. Every workshop attendee ends with a proud smile - proof that everyone is creative. If you have a new idea, I'm happy to facilitate it and make it happen!
Credentials
Youth Mental Health First Aider
Safeguarding Children
***getting soon **Current DBS
Ceramics Degree (BA Honours)
BTEC - Art and Design
Exhibited photography in National Geographical Society.
Brick 'Wings & Waves' Throne in South Wales Primary School
You can also visit my social media pages for inspiration and a squillion videos of past activities: