Jolene Dias is making her mark on London’s arts community by founding Blue Ocean Waves, a centre dedicated to inclusive and accessible performing arts. As a full-time wheelchair user, Dias draws on her personal journey and advocacy for creative equity to create a space where people of all abilities can thrive.
Her experience navigating the challenges faced by disabled artists fuels her mission to break down barriers in the industry. Blue Ocean Waves reflects her belief that everyone should have a place in the arts, regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional differences.
Located in Wembley, London, the centre offers a broad range of music and performing arts education. Programs are carefully designed to accommodate diverse needs, with instructors who blend professional arts experience and therapeutic insight. This approach ensures that every participant is supported to develop their skills in a welcoming environment.
Dias explains, “Living with a disability, I’ve seen how limited opportunities can be for many talented individuals. Blue Ocean Waves is about creating a community where people feel included and empowered, not excluded because of their differences.”
Her work has gained attention beyond the centre’s participants and families. Blue Ocean Waves was named Best Performing Arts Centre in London in 2023, a recognition of its innovative programming and commitment to representation and equity in the arts.
Jolene Dias’s leadership challenges common perceptions of disability and showcases how accessibility and artistic excellence can coexist. Her advocacy extends beyond the stage, engaging with public policy and cultural change to foster broader inclusion.
Through Blue Ocean Waves, Dias is not just running a centre but building a movement. She envisions expanding outreach efforts, partnering with schools, and developing digital programs to reach a wider audience across the UK. She has also expressed interest in collaborating with celebrities and philanthropists to amplify this vision and create sustainable support for inclusive arts. A video featuring Dias further outlines these goals and highlights her call for support from notable figures in the arts and philanthropy, available here.
Her journey reflects resilience and determination. Jolene Dias continues to inspire by proving that obstacles can be overcome and that creativity should never have limits.
For further information, please visit Blue Ocean Waves’ website or follow the centre on Facebook and Instagram.