#IWD2025: Creative Women - Amy Quinn

International Women's Day (IWD) is an annual global event celebrating women and their achievements.  

First initiated in 1911, IWD has since grown into a global movement encouraging us to stand up for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world, free of discrimination and stereotypes.

According to World Economic Forum at the current rate of progress, gender parity is only expected to be achieved in 2158, five generations from now.

This year's campaign theme is #AccelerateAction, emphasising the important need for us to take swift and decisive steps to speed up the rate of action, so we can achieve gender parity sooner.

As part of our #IWD2025 "Creative Women" Series, meet Amy Quinn.

Amy is an artist and sustainable creative workshop facilitator, who currently travels and works out of a converted campervan.

Amy, what is your connection to Lancashire?

I was born and raised in Lancashire before spending ten years in Manchester. 

When I moved back two years ago, I fell back in love with the region’s landscape and the incredible wildlife that we have in abundance here - some of my favourite natural spots are the Trough of Bowland, Scorton Picnic Site, Pilling Sands and the Morecambe Estuary. 

There’s something about Lancashire that always feels like home.

Since returning, I got stuck into local initiatives, from litter picking at Knott-End with Wyre Rivers Trust, taking part in the Wyre Council BioBlitz and joining the brilliant team at Northern Design Festival. 

It’s been great reconnecting with the community along with rediscovering the best local food - big shoutout to Hamlets in Garstang who have the best butter pies!

What inspires or motivates your creative practice?

I’m constantly inspired by flora, the beauty of nature, and sustainable material combinations. 

Working as an Arts Educator for four years taught me so much about creativity, community, and the joy of teaching. But it also opened my eyes to a disheartening truth: almost all readily accessible art materials contain plastics. I realised that the materials I was encouraging the next generation to use to celebrate the world around us, were contributing to environmental harm.

Overwhelmed by climate anxiety, I decided to take action — to reconnect with nature and be the positive change I wanted to see. 

I began extensively researching plastic-free materials and processes, took up community litter picking, and found small ways that helped me feel better, switch off and recharge.

My creative practice is now centred around slow living, incorporating responsible foraging, flowerpressing, printmaking, and collaging with sustainable materials. 

I do this whilst travelling on the road in my converted campervan with my massive dog, Bruce. 

I create artworks that focus on craftsmanship and bring the calming feeling of being out in nature into peoples spaces — while remaining kind to the planet.

I’m passionate about using art as a wellbeing tool. Through my sustainable creative workshops I hope to empower participants to reconnect with nature and their creative selves.

Any advice for women starting out or making their mark in the creative industries?

Find your community. 

Lancashire has so many fantastic creatives, initiatives, and events right here on our doorstep. 

Joining the Northern Design Festival team led me to Conversations in Creativity, an incredible series of networking events run by Creative Lancashire, where I’ve met some fantastic individuals. 

Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. 

We’re lucky to have such a supportive creative scene where people genuinely want to see each other succeed.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from my primary school teacher: ‘You’ve got to be in it to win it.’ 

You never know who will say yes until you ask. That mindset led to some amazing opportunities — from exhibiting my work in galleries nationally, to having it published in magazines. It’s even led to some exciting upcoming workshops, including one with Patagonia, which I’m really excited for.

As an artist and maker, how do you think we can accelerate action to build momentum in addressing systemic barriers and biases?

To drive real change in addressing barriers and biases in the creative sector, we need to create a culture of inclusivity and openness where everyone has an equal chance to thrive. 

As an artist, I believe empowering arts education, fostering collaboration within our communities, and promoting sustainable practices are key. 

By making creative opportunities accessible and adopting eco-friendly approaches, we can build cultural capital for all, break down barriers, and amplify the voices of those who have been overlooked. 

About International Women's Day

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

So, together, let's Accelerate Action and speed up the rate of progress worldwide

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality and  accelerate Action for gender equality. 

InternationalWomensDay.com