Welcome
Hi, I’m Kate Berry — an artist and creative practitioner working across visual art, participation, wellbeing and creative learning. My practice brings together over 15 years’ experience in art, design, education and community engagement, from facilitating participatory projects in galleries and schools to developing my own independent art practice.
ABOUT
My background spans graphic design, arts education, participatory practice and positive psychology. Across my work, I’m interested in the ways creativity can create connection, curiosity, confidence and belonging — whether through my own art practice or by creating opportunities for others to learn, make, explore and participate.
For over a decade I have worked across galleries, schools, community settings and public events, alongside developing my independent art practice.
ART, WELLBEING & PARTICIPATION
My interest in wellbeing has always been closely connected to creativity. I hold an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology from the University of East London and a First Class BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth.
My work has included facilitating creative experiences for children, families, adults, students and educators; developing exhibitions and collaborative artworks; coaching and mentoring; public speaking; and working alongside artists, schools and community organisations.
Underlying all of this is a belief in creativity as something we can harness to better understand and connect with ourselves and others — something to participate in, rather than simply observe.
SKETCHBETTER
In 2016, while completing my MSc in Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology, I founded SketchBetter, an award-winning creative education organisation combining art, design and positive psychology.
SketchBetter delivered sell-out programmes in art, design, textiles and photography for children and families, alongside participatory arts experiences across gallery, community, school and higher-education settings.
At Alexandra School in Kingston upon Thames, I taught art across Years 1–6 and led whole-school collaborative art projects involving every pupil. I also managed a team of freelance artists and teachers delivering creative programmes and after-school clubs.
Selected project partners:
Cass Art · Turner Contemporary · Action for Happiness · Hackney Teaching Schools’ Alliance · St George’s University · Ignite! Futures · International Youth Arts Festival
In 2018, I was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Kingston Business Excellence Awards for my work with SketchBetter. The following year, I appeared on BBC One’s Sunday Morning Live to discuss our approach to art, mindfulness and children’s wellbeing.
CURRENT PRACTICE
Alongside my participatory work, I am developing my own visual art practice from my studio in Bedfordshire.
In my current practice, I’m drawn to exploring our inner experience — emotion, identity, perception, overwhelm, connection and the ways we make sense of ourselves and the world around us.
Through abstraction, mark-making, repetition and intuitive processes, making becomes a way to explore experiences that can be difficult to articulate in words.
