Spotlight on Arts: Lisa J Edwards and Dean Williams
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In this latest episode of Spotlight on Arts, John Coster and Rob Watson are joined by Dean Williams and Lisa J Edwards, two creative practitioners who have dedicated much of their careers to working with young people and exploring how art can be a tool for growth, healing, and learning.
Dean shares his story of returning to art after many years in a different career, describing how a sense of dissatisfaction with his engineering work led him to pursue his passion more seriously. This decision marked the start of a journey that took him through university study and into a self-employed artistic practice. Lisa recounts a different but equally compelling path, explaining how her engagement with art was renewed through personal experience of illness. For her, creativity became a therapeutic outlet and has since informed her approach to supporting others, particularly children, in educational and care settings.
A central theme of the conversation is the way that both Dean and Lisa have shaped their creative work around a strong commitment to supporting children, especially those facing neurodiverse challenges. Their experiences at Unique Learning in Hinckley, and other settings, have underlined the value of using art to build relationships, develop confidence, and offer alternative pathways to learning. They talk warmly about the importance of creating spaces where children can express themselves freely, finding a foothold in the education process through creativity before moving into more formal areas like maths and English.
During the conversation, Dean and Lisa describe the origins and ambitions of their latest project, Adventures of the Garden Superheroes. Initially developed from Dean’s idea to make garden markers that combined planting activities with superhero characters, the project has grown into a fully-fledged children’s storybook concept. Their aim is to make learning about healthy eating enjoyable, weaving messages about the benefits of fruit and vegetables into fun and imaginative narratives. What stands out is their desire not simply to entertain, but to foster a deeper, lasting sense of curiosity and wellbeing among young readers.
Throughout the discussion, both guests display a grounded and thoughtful approach. They are keen to keep their work accessible and relatable, seeing value in authenticity and shared experience rather than positioning themselves as distant experts. Their hopes for the future of their project are modest but clear: to encourage healthier habits, to give children a sense of empowerment, and to create something that leaves a positive legacy.
This episode offers a reflective and encouraging insight into how art, when combined with lived experience and genuine care, can help open new possibilities for young people, particularly those who might otherwise find themselves overlooked.
