Artist, Educator and Creative Project Lead

Mark Haywood is an educator and visual artist with over 35 years’ experience working across the creative industries. His background includes exhibitions, public art commissions, prop-making for film and television, and collaborative cultural projects.

As a qualified teacher leading art in a specialist school, Mark has developed a creative curriculum designed to support diverse learners through making, experimentation and visual storytelling.

Through partnerships with organisations such as Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Latitude Festival, his projects connect students with artists, audiences and the wider cultural world, demonstrating how creativity can build confidence and help young people find their voice.

Created with students at a specialist school in North Norfolk during Black History Month. The mural was inspired by the work of Yinka Shonibare, particularly his ship in a bottle sculptures, exploring themes of migration, identity and global exchange. Through colour, pattern and storytelling, the project encouraged students to reflect on cultural connections and the positive movement of people and ideas across the world.