Developing Creativity Acre, Art workshops immersed in nature
Significant Seams is pleased now to be offering some of our most popular courses direct to the public, from our studio in a wildlife idyll in the rolling mid-Devon Countryside. The Apple Studio is situated amidst a variety of gardens and alongside a space we’re starting to refer to as ‘Creativity Acre’ – a woodland in a Conservation area.
I spent a few hours yesterday in a special space. The aim is to use it as a literal space to hold space for people healing, learning, and creating- art, plans, a renewed sense of self. First, there are some practical steps needed. Lots of wood to cut. This is ‘jelly ear fungus.’ Its’s all over the Elder deadwood. I’ve also seen elf cup and ink caps.
A new version of Textiles & Nature: Crafting Natural Inspiration will follow and respond to the subtle monthly shifts in the natural environment. There is a half day workshop on offer on the third Saturday of each month from April – July. Participants can book one Saturday, or trace the seasons with our artist faciliator, joining all four sessions.
In Significant Seams workshops we will happily guide you in a sample project, and will have one or two planned makes on offer: but we love to spark your ideas and help you to delve into the inspiration and nurture it into a personally meaningful project – whether or not it is fully realisable on the day. We want to help you find your way into making – through pausing, protecting, and leaning into the space of reflection and creation.
In the Apple Studio itself, we have a rich array of tools and materials to enable your artistic impulses. In the environment, there is a small formal ‘white garden,’ a gently structured kitchen garden, woodland orchard (with spectacular hellebores in the late winter and early spring), lawn and grasses area, and a tropical section with various bamboo and giant gunnera. Creativity acre is a wildlife friendly woodland featuring natural springs bubbling up from the earth, ancient hedgerow banks, and a natural glade.
Details of anticipated activity and seasonal highlights of each month’s event are in the Eventbrite listings. The programme is similar to our course previously delivered as a six week programme via the NHS.
Additionally, we are developing plans for an Arts Award Club and a home education network. Some of our annual Devon County Council Holiday Activity & Food programme events will be held here. Join the Youth Newsletter or be in contact to register your interest in these developments.
If you are travelling for one of our workshop experiences, we can recommend The New Inn, Coleford for local and atmospheric accomodation. They are a 3-minute drive and leisurely 20 minute walk through Devon countryside along a public (though very rural and in places quite muddy) footpath.
We’d be happy to provide further advice and guidance about the area. We are 25 minutes from downtown Exeter and the beautiful University grounds (formerly botanical gardens!) and 10 minutes from lovely Crediton, with fabulous antique and charity shops and lovely locally owned cafes.
