In the heart of the picturesque Welsh town of Ferryside, within the modern Calon y Fferi centre, lies Greenspace Gallery—a space that has become a bridge between cultures and generations. Founded by artist Dorothy Morris, the gallery is a testament to her profound dedication to both art and the community. Her significant contribution to local cultural life is so valued that one of the rooms in the centre is even named in her honour—The Dorothy Morris Suite.
Dorothy Morris
Dorothy’s own artistic journey began with a simple moment of encouragement in her infant class. “I remember being in the infant class aged 4 years old and being praised for my artwork which the teacher proudly displayed on the wall,” she recalls. That early praise ignited a lifelong passion. Today, her primary muse is the idyllic landscape surrounding her home. “I am fortunate to live in an idyllic setting surrounded by nature,” Dorothy explains, “and the changing light on the Towy Estuary is always a constant inspiration.” This deep connection to the natural world not only shapes her own art but also informs her belief in art’s power to heal and unite.
Recently, her gallery, which is open to visitors from Wednesday to Saturday, hosted the landmark exhibition “Ukrainian Art Bridges Generations in Wales.” The collection presents a rich tapestry of Ukrainian artistic heritage, featuring a mix of portraits, vibrant landscapes, and abstract pieces. The exhibition brings together a diverse group of fifteen artists, including Dorothy Morris herself, blending the perspectives of newly arrived refugees with those of the long-established Ukrainian diaspora in Wales.
Dorothy Morris and local Member of Parliament Nia Griffith
This event was born not only from a love for art but also from the founder’s deep personal roots. For Dorothy Morris (née Dehtiar), an experienced art teacher and lecturer with a BA in Fashion and Textiles and an MA in Fine Art, this project became a way to honour her own heritage.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine reawakened her memories of her Ukrainian father Victor, who found himself in Wales after the Second World War. “I think the war in Ukraine rekindled my deep connection with Ukraine,” she shares. “Memories of my father’s past, what he said, all came back to me. I felt moved to do something.” This calling transformed into a powerful initiative. The process brought her into contact with both newly arrived refugees and established émigré families, an experience she found profoundly moving. Working with the new arrivals was “heartbreaking due to the circumstances that brought them here,” while the established families were “very relatable due to my father’s arrival after the Second World War.”
The exhibition’s opening was an incredibly poignant moment for Dorothy. In speaking with Ukrainians, she saw in them the same spirit she remembered in her father. “I was moved by the warmth, strength, and integrity of the Ukrainians I met,” she recounts. “Despite their immense suffering, they remained resilient and stoic.”
In the faces of these Ukrainians, she saw a reflection of her father’s own courage and positivity.
Dorothy Morris and participants of the Ukrainian exhibition
Greenspace Gallery serves not only as an artistic hub but also as a vital humanitarian platform. In a powerful gesture of support, 20% of all sales from the exhibition are being donated to medical aid for Ukraine. This aligns with Dorothy’s core mission for the gallery. “I am committed to putting on meaningful exhibitions that highlight artists’ concerns for our world, which seems to be constantly at war, or under threat,” she states. This commitment extends beyond the current exhibition; the next show at Greenspace will highlight artists concerned with the plight of Palestinians, reinforcing the gallery’s role as a space for social conscience.
Dorothy has ambitious plans for the future. She dreams of the Ukrainian exhibition touring Wales and the UK, hoping to bring it to “larger and more prestigious galleries.” She is convinced that artists possess a unique power to influence society. “I’d like artists to realise the power they have in their hands—the power to make people think, reflect, and even widen their worldview on just what makes us human.” She feels the artworks themselves carry this message profoundly, describing them as “nostalgic, aesthetic, sentimental and heartbreaking,” and noting that they “highlight the culture of the Ukrainian nation and their resilience.”
Exhibits of the Ukrainian exhibition
Through her personal history and professional work, Dorothy Morris shows how a deeply community-integrated individual can transform a local gallery into a powerful instrument of memory, resilience, and international solidarity.
By Viktor Moroz for Ukrainians.Wales
Published: August, 2025
