2026 Finalist – Iz Durose
For Iz Durose, art is not just about what happens on the canvas, it’s about the people who gather around it.
Iz is an artist and founder of Pot Bound, a community art studio in Lytham St Annes that has become a welcoming creative hub for the local community. She is a community-builder, LGBTQ+ advocate and Churchill Fellow whose work demonstrates the powerful role creativity can play in building inclusive, supportive communities. Through her art, leadership and activism, she continues to inspire people of all ages to express themselves, connect with others and believe in their creative potential.
What began as a passion for art has evolved into a thriving space where people from all walks of life can come together to create. Pot Bound offers workshops, painting sessions and creative experiences that are open to everyone, from young children taking their first steps in art to adults rediscovering creativity later in life.
What makes Iz’s work particularly impactful is the environment she creates. Her workshops are not simply about learning artistic techniques; they are about building confidence, connection and wellbeing.
Participants often describe the sessions as therapeutic and uplifting, leaving with a renewed sense of pride in what they have created and the joy of having shared the experience with others. Iz has taught hundreds of people to paint, and the excitement and confidence she sees in participants at the end of a workshop remains one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.
Beyond teaching art, Iz is deeply committed to using creativity as a tool for social change.
Her personal artwork and community projects frequently explore themes of identity, equality and social justice. In particular, she champions LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion, creating spaces where queer individuals feel safe, valued and celebrated. Through exhibitions, themed workshops and open dialogue, Pot Bound has become an important local space for creative expression and belonging within the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2024, she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, one of the UK’s most prestigious honours for individuals leading positive social change. The Fellowship supports exceptional leaders to travel internationally, learn from innovative practices and bring those ideas back to strengthen communities at home. For Iz, this opportunity represents an exciting step forward in expanding the reach and impact of her work.
What truly sets Iz apart is her genuine warmth and commitment to uplifting others. She leads with compassion, creativity and authenticity, encouraging people to embrace who they are and find confidence through artistic expression.
Whether she is hosting a workshop, mentoring young creatives or developing new community projects, Iz brings energy, empathy and a clear vision of what art can achieve when it is shared.
Through Pot Bound and her wider advocacy, Iz Durose continues to inspire the next generation. She shows that creativity can be more than a personal pursuit – it can be a catalyst for connection, wellbeing and meaningful social change.
Iz will be sharing her story at the 34th annual Inspiring Women Awards on 15th May 2026. More details here