These workshops are not about artistic skills or innate talent: but about playing with art in fun and interesting ways.
In these workshops you will make masks, create postcards to your future selves, paint to a selection of music, and more.
We will begin each session with a ‘Freeing the Mind’ warm-up exercise that will influence and inspire our final piece in some way.
These often unusual activities are designed to encourage you to loosen up by unleashing your inner creativity.
The sessions themselves will be light-hearted; in a laid back environment where everyone is welcome to engage and experiment with art, express their ideas, and connect with others.
We will be supportive and mindful of ourselves and others.
In these workshops there is no right or wrong way of creating.
Everything is open to interpretation and we value imperfection for what it is:
“Imperfection inspires invention, imagination, creativity. It stimulates. The more I feel imperfect, the more I feel alive.” ― Jhumpa Lahiri
Dates and Projects: Six Weeks - Six Projects. Please book each session separately.
Suitable for 18yrs +
10th October - Postcards To The Future (Blind Contour Drawing)
Session 1:
In this session, we'll explore the power of unsent messages through the creation of deeply personal postcards to our future selves.
We'll begin with a warm welcome and an introduction to the project, followed by a 'Freeing the Mind' activity: Blind Contour Drawing, where you'll draw without looking at your paper to loosen up your creative flow.
After a brief break, you'll dive into crafting your postcards using collage materials, expressing thoughts and feelings that will never be sent. The session will conclude with a reflection and group discussion on the experience.
17th October - Painting to Music (Sensory Bag Drawing)
Session 2:
This workshop invites you to explore the connection between sound and visual art by painting along to music.
We'll start with a brief introduction and a 'Freeing the Mind' activity: ‘Sensory Bag’ Drawing, where you'll use your senses to guide your artwork.
After a short break, you'll create your paintings, letting the rhythm and mood of the music influence your brushstrokes.
We'll wrap up with a reflection and discussion on how the music impacted your creative process.
Please Bring: music player and headphones
24th October - The Heart vs. The Head (Emotional Mask-Making)
Session 3:
In this session, we’ll delve into the creative tension between emotion and logic by exploring "The Heart vs. The Head."
After a welcome and introduction, we'll begin with a 'Freeing the Mind' activity: Emotional Mark-Making, where you’ll use your feelings to drive your marks on the paper.
Following a break, you'll create artworks that reflect the interplay between your heart and mind.
The session will close with a group reflection and discussion on the balance between emotion and reason in your work.
31st October - BREAK
7th November - Colours of Memory (Exquisite Corpse)
Session 4:
For this session we will be playing with colour to recreate the feel of a treasured memory.
After our welcome and introduction to the workshop we will start with a ‘Freeing the Mind’ activity; ‘Exquisite Corpse’, which is a collaborative game that requires no special skills.
Next we will have a short break and then move on to the main activity, Colours of Memory, where we will create small concertina booklets filled with swirling swatches of colours that represent a favourite memory.
14th November - Mask Making (Entopic Graphomania)
Session 5:
Explore identity and self-expression by crafting masks in this session.
We'll begin with an introduction and a 'Freeing the Mind' activity: Entopic Graphomania, where you’ll connect random dots on a page to create unexpected forms.
Following a short break, you’ll create your masks, allowing your imagination to guide the design.
We’ll finish with a reflection and discussion on how the masks represent different facets of identity.
21st November - Drawing Huge (Continuous Line Drawing)
Session 6:
In this final session, you’ll experience the freedom of creating large-scale drawings.
After a welcome and introduction, we'll engage in a 'Freeing the Mind' activity: Continuous Line Drawing, where you’ll create continuous line drawings to break free from creative constraints.
Following a break, you’ll work on collaborative and expansive artworks, playing with scale and form.
We’ll conclude the session with a reflection and group discussion on the experience of working on such a large scale
Bring: found objects and materials to draw with: leaves, twigs, trash etc.