Corinne Lewis-Ward
MA in Photography 2008
Position and company: Creative Heritage Studios CiC (Director), Powder Butterfly & Gifted Studios (Founder and lead designer)
Creative Heritage Studios CiC was founded by Corinne Lewis-Ward, a seasoned professional in the Arts and Culture sector, fueled by a deep passion for supporting the next generation of creatives. With over 20 years of experience as an artist and designer-maker, Corinne recognised the need for a platform that nurtures talent and facilitates sustainable career development in the creative industry.
A specific focus of Creative Heritage Studios is to support neurodiverse creatives, fostering a more inclusive environment in a field that often overlooks the unique skills and perspectives of individuals with diverse neurological profiles.
Corinne is also the founder and lead designer of Powder Butterfly, where she has been creating place-based gifts for over a decade. She successfully manages a permanent stall at the Newcastle Quayside Market. Additionally, she has developed a line of alumni merchandise for the University of Sunderland. Through her retail company's corporate division, Gifted Studio, Corinne specialises in designing bespoke corporate gifts, awards, and murals for a variety of clients.
She shared: “Through my retail design business, I have been able to conceptualise and create products that resonate with local culture.”
When asked about her greatest achievements, Corinne stated: “My greatest achievement to date is a current project where I am designing a bespoke handmade wooden clock for a client. This clock will be sent to a new office they are opening in Europe. Setting up Creative Heritage Studios CiC was also a landmark moment for me, and trading at the Quayside during the coldest months of the year is another achievement I am very proud of.”
Regarding her biggest challenge, she reflected: “My biggest challenge is being neurodiverse, as is my son. Balancing my extensive workload with the various challenges that come with neurodiversity is often difficult. I am continually working to find the right balance between mental health and workload.”
Corinne was initially attracted to the University of Sunderland because she had been living in the northeast for a decade and wanted to explore what Sunderland had to offer as both a city and a university. Photography has always been her passion, and after receiving a late diagnosis of neurodiversity during her academic journey, she pursued her Master's in Photography to prove to herself that she could achieve this level of qualification. She felt that she had not reached her full potential academically due to a lack of support and recognition as a neurodiverse learner.
She remarked: “The course I attended was well-equipped and featured some interesting lecturers, particularly John Kippin, whose art practice left a lasting impression on me. The students in my year were highly talented with diverse areas of interest, making it a wonderful experience to dedicate a year to focusing on creativity and visual communication.”
Corinne discussed the influences on her course, stating: “The people I met and their areas of interest significantly impacted me. I was particularly intrigued by the technical ability and conceptual approaches to the photographic medium. In my dissertation, I explored themes of nature invading derelict spaces, with a special interest in the New York High Line. This project demonstrated how an abandoned railway line could be revitalised by nature, leading to the development of a community space where individuals grew vegetables or created gardens. I loved how nature can foster community connections in urban environments.”
Her advice to recent graduates entering the job market is to create a strategy for achieving their career goals. She encourages seeking opportunities for work experience and jobs that provide transferable skills.
She said: “Your career may not follow a straight path toward your goal, but by defining your goals, values, and the life you want to live, you can identify opportunities that align with your overall aspirations. Be open, honest, reliable, and hardworking—this will help you build a reputation that others will value. Network as much as you can, both in person and through social media platforms to support your career aims. Treat others as you wish to be treated, and cultivate a network of people who will advocate for you in your absence.”
Corinne concluded: “I am excited to develop more projects through Creative Heritage Studios CiC that have meaningful social impact. I will also be launching ‘Antiques of the Future,’ an exciting commercial arm of Creative Heritage Studios, so stay tuned.
“Currently, I am towards the end of a year of trade on Newcastle Quayside, and I look forward to what next year will bring. As the Generator Union Chair, I am eager to see what initiatives we can offer our members.”