Parkway Arts CIC is a community pottery, arts and craft studio based in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Run by Jenni Dawson, they offer classes and memberships, and work closely with local community groups. After 20+ years in the corporate world, Jenni took an artistic sabbatical after being made redundant. Discovering the mindfulness of the creative process, and the sense of calm it brought her, she realised how essential it was to her mental wellbeing. She decided that redundancy would be the springboard to follow her artistic and creative leanings, and help as many people as possible to do the same. Parkway Arts was born out of a desire to offer craft as a way to help people build confidence, improve their mental health, find their creative expression and forge community links. With several collaborations with other local arts organisations planned for 2026, Parkway Arts is becoming a firm fixture of the burgeoning arts quarter in Didcot.
Making space for creativity was more crucial than I realised for my sense of wellbeing and purpose. Discovering the arts community in Oxfordshire was the best thing that could have happened to me. It is so welcoming and supportive, and I wanted to pay that forward. Parkway Arts is my way of making that happen. I love watching people come in, tell me they aren’t creative, and then proceed to make glorious art. Seeing their confidence grow is quite the dopamine hit! Being able to help others carve out space for their creativity is a joy.
– Jenni Dawson, Owner
Tap Social Movement becomes a B Corp reflecting its commitment to people and the planet
The Folly Restaurant and Oxford River Cruises are now owned by employees
Indie Oxford Stories: Jason Warner at Fyrefly Studios
Indie Oxford Stories: Bethan Elford at Drawing Club
