MY BACKGROUND IN LEARNING Working for over a decade in the Learning teams of various museums and galleries gave me a real insight into effectively devising, delivering and evaluating workshops and managing innovative arts programmes for a wide range of audiences. I feel privileged to have worked for many wonderful institutions including Tate, The Photographers’ Gallery and London Transport Museum.
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS Separate to my clinical work as an art therapist, I design creative workshops for adults that use the arts for wellbeing. Although these workshops borrow concepts from art therapy, it is important to note that they are creative sessions, and not a form of therapy.
Instead, the focus is on experimenting with art materials with the aims of calming the nervous system, exploring self-expression, building confidence, and socialising with others. In addition, they are distinct from an art class, as the emphasis is on the process of making and how that feels, rather than the end product and its aesthetics. If a participant happens to become more skilled or create something they are proud of, then this is seen as an additional benefit of attending the session, rather than it being one of its aims.
These workshops work as one offs or as a series, in a variety of settings. They are designed to be calming, therapeutic and enjoyable. No experience in art is necessary, just imagination and a curious mind.
Click here to download my workshop PDF with further information and examples.
