Nature Journal Club at The Heart of Newhaven

Taking the time to connect with nature and your own creativity is a great way to boost your wellbeing and form a deeper connection with the shifting seasons. This workshop series invites you to come together with likeminded folk each month at The Heart of Newhaven Community Garden to do just that!

Each session will have a theme inspired by what is happening in the garden that month and will combine experimental mark making with mindful moments that invite you to slow down, engage your senses and get lost in the creative process.

In the first session we will make a handmade nature journal and begin working into it guided by a series of playful mark making exercises, designed to help familiarise you with the community garden and the abundance of plant life we will be working with over the coming months.

In the sessions that follow I will introduce a mix of playful and experimental techniques inspired by and incorporating plants that grow at the community garden, such as – wet cyanotype, botanical ink making, relief printing techniques, basic eco-printing and botanical papermaking. There will also be the chance to work into your nature journal each month and return in between sessions for more informal meet-ups to draw in the garden.

Hayley Chandler, the Community Garden Coordinator, Yoga teacher and Wellbeing Practitioner at The Heart, will join us for some sessions to share a nature themed meditation or two and be on hand to help with plant identification.

You don’t need to have any prior experience to take part in these workshops just an openness to try new things in a supportive group setting. If you have an inner voice that tells you ‘I’m not creative’, ‘I can’t draw’ – please don’t let this put you off ! The creative techniques that we will explore together are experimental and much more about enjoying the process of ‘doing’ rather than working towards a final piece.

That said I like the idea that we could explore creating an Artists Book toward the end of our 6 months together or perhaps work on a collaborative piece…tbc as the sessions get underway!

I have chose not to do a definitive write up of what we will do each month as I like the idea that this can ebb and flow depending on the weather, what is growing and the interests of the group. But trust me when I say I have lots of techniques I am keen for you to try so won’t be short of ideas!

Alongside lots of making and noticing there will also be the opportunity for a fresh herbal tea and a catch up after each session either in the garden or the Heart of Newhaven main building – a chance to make connections and get to know your fellow nature journallers!

Things to note before signing up:

• All materials are included along with useful links and follow-up tutorials where available.

• This workshop series is only bookable as a 6 month block – I am keen to establish a group of 12 people that will return each month to work through the course together. If you sign up and cannot make one of the sessions for any reason, unfortunately I will not be able to offer a refund, so please do double check you are available for all (or the majority) of dates outlined.

• If the price of this workshop series is a barrier to you, you may be interested in applying for my upcoming block of Nature Journalling Community Sessions, taking place at The Heart of Newhaven, on the first Friday of each month from June-September. I am running these sessions in collaboration with Community Garden Coordinater Hayley Chandler – there are 12 free places available to people who are facing barriers to nature based creative activities – this has been made possible due to funding from The Bridge Awards. I am currently working with a range of support organisations to take referrals, please get in touch for more information on this if you would like to apply or know someone who may be interested.

• We will be based in the garden for all of the sessions and have use of a lean to for shelter and table space as and when we need it. With this in mind you will need to dress appropriately for the weather and be ok working in the outdoors.

• If you have access requirements, please get in touch asap so I can support where needed – the garden space is on the ground level with accessible toilet in the adjacent building.

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Booking/cancellation policy: I need a minimum of 8 people to cover costs and go a-head with this workshop series, you will be given advanced warning is the class needs to be cancelled and offered the option to transfer your place to a future workshop or receive a refund. Once you have booked a place,  if you are no longer able attend you will be given the option to transfer to a future class but a refund will not be possible.