Designed for the younger ‘budding creatives’, this program focuses on having relaxing, social fun with the added benefits of the art mixed media techniques as well as some creative arts (movement, music and drama play) in a small group environment.The program is meant to be relaxing, whilst learning new and fun mixed media art techniques and creating artworks.

The program has been created to encourage playful art-forms and creative fun with no artistic requirements necessary. A creative journey with a difference, that has young minds engaged on the hands-on creative process rather than using Apps-on a device to promote connecting with their creative thinking ability and learning simple techniques to relax and unwind.

• Each week participants will work on structured activities to facilitate the relaxing and creative art fun process and include the following:
• Understanding Colour – using colours to make you feel better and enhancing your mood. Create a warm/cool colour artwork.
• Doodling & Music – quick and easy techniques to doodling and creating Zen Doodle art forms, using simple lines and shapes techniques. Mindfulness Introduction and practice with music.
• Drama Play & Story telling through Collage- mixed media. Practical and hands-on creating individual mood boards using a variety of media(images/photos, magazine cut outs, paper, markers, crayons, stickers, embellishments) and collaging techniques.
• Expressive Painting.A variety of simple acrylic painting techniques will be explored and participants will be guided in creating their own pieces of artwork on art paper and canvases

Materials provided however additional items may be required and Tutor will notify participants prior to session.
Duration: 3x 3 hour workshop (participants may bring a light lunch/snack and drinks on the day. Vending machines are available on premises for snacks and cold drinks.

Material Costs per person:

Materials and art requirement will be provided on the day. All participants will be contacted by the Tutor prior to the workshop regarding any additional necessary materials.

What to bring:

In most sessions all materials will be provided by Tutor unless instructed. Participants may wish to bring their own:

• Coloured pencils/ watercolour pencil/crayons
• felt pens or markers, gel pens (non-toxic)
• acrylic paints (non toxic, water based)
• paint brushes (various sizes)
• containers for water (brush cleaning), paint pallets
• Painting apron or paint shirt/smock- or wear old t-shirt.

Facilitated by an Artist/Art Therapy and Creative Arts Therapist, Melissa Martin (Mel’s Art of Zen).

No artistic experience required.

All levels of creative and artistic flair welcome.

About the tutor:

Facilitated by an Artist/Art Therapy and Holistic Creative Arts Therapist.

Melissa (Mel) Martin is a contemporary artist, practicing Art Therapy and Creative Arts Therapies and is a Champion of Change, who has taken her interests and professional training in People Management/Organisational Psychology, and Art Therapy and Holistic Integrated Creative Art Therapy to a new level of experiencing self- awareness.

Mel runs local creative art classes/workshops through Learning and Community Centres as well as privately, where she explores with small groups their true selves and the potential they have and the fear that is holding them back.

Offering a varied range of personalised Creative Art Services from Art Therapy and Mindfulness practices, exploring a range of mixed media art techniques and tools to facilitate imaginative fun and creative expression, working with children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.