An art collective based in Nottingham is bringing the history and legacy of a dance studio based at Clarendon Chambers to life. LW Arts CIC have moved into the beautiful Grade II listed, Royal Midlands Institute for the Blind in which dance classes ran for over 80 years.
The incredible story of the late Miss Nora Morrison MBE will be celebrated through the creation of a mini-documentary and workshops including different styles of Western and folk dances, such as jazz, tap, modern and folk belly dance. The project is titled, Dancing Through Time.
Miss Nora Morrison began a lifelong career encouraging children and adults to take up dance and discover the joys of dancing together. Nora was just 17 when she offered to teach dance to students of the Royal Midlands Institute for the Blind in 1934. She went on to teach dance at Clarendon Chambers for over 50 years and continued to do this into her nineties - children and adults with little to no sight at all.
Clarendon Chambers is the home of LW Arts CIC since February 2023 and it has quickly become a place of laughter, dance and music along with creativity. The space is filled with toys, musical equipment and very special murals from talented local artist, Laura Decorum.
Over the decades, the historical building became a creative home to an abundance of groups and organisations, including the prestigious Morrisons School of Dance. The building still has some of its original features of beautiful stained-glass windows, the original ballet bar and a piano once used during classes.
The collective has received funding and support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Leader of Nottingham City Council, Cllr David Mellen. The project is also supported by ex-Bond-girl, celebrity Rachel Grant, who’ll be assisting in research.
5. Nora was also awards the President’s Award from The Royal Academy of Dance in London in recognition of her life’s work in 1997
Nora was also awards the President’s Award from The Royal Academy of Dance in London in recognition of her life’s work in 1997 | Caroline Barry
6. Nora managed to raise over £73,000 for the Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind.
Nora managed to raise over £73,000 for the Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind. | Caroline Barry
7. Nora also created training that helps blind or visually impaired people to dance and keep fit
Nora also created training that helps blind or visually impaired people to dance and keep fit | Caroline Barry
8. The original ballet barre on the left of the main room has been kept
The larger room has been kept for dancing , live music and performances | Caroline Barry