Workshops for young people
11-16 year olds in Devon will have the opportunity to take part in summer activities bringing together art, environment and food.
Arts and wellbeing organisation Significant Seams is hosting activities during August for young people to explore and create together. With nutritional hot meals provided, participants will be able to feed body and mind as part of the activities.
Young people who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals or have a SEND diagnosis, will be able to take advantage of a free place on the programme as part of Devon County Council’s government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Each week in August, there will be a four-day programme of activities to explore inspiring environments, and to meet artists to find out what inspires them and how they make their work.
The participants will be able to make a mini terrarium, create art from nature, use recycled materials to make patchwork, and a whole range of other nature-inspired activities.
Significant Seams Director, Catherine West said,
“The programme is about fun, inspiration, togetherness and making, and because it matters to all of our artists, it’s about nature too. Lots of young people are concerned about the climate crisis, and our activities are offering them a creative way to express those concerns.”
“As well these environmental issues, we know that food is an important concern – many people are struggling to feed their families, and we’re all aware of the importance of healthy eating. Each of the venues we’ve selected for our activities, has a working kitchen garden. The natural artistic materials we’re using will help to make that link between nature and food in an inspiring and nourishing environment.”
A different programme of activities will take place each week and young people can choose to attend just one or all four.
How to Bury a Giant
2-5 August, Ashburton
The first week of activities is run by Art & Energy, winners of the Sustainability First Art Prize 2021.They will lead a range of activities including energy-based art, moorland immersion, nature positive farming, growing your own moss, making mini terrariums, and discovering how artists are helping ensure peatlands are looked after for the future.
Based at Sands School, Ashburton and including a field trip to Challacombe farm on Dartmoor.
The Art Leaders of Tomorrow, Today
8-11 August, Ashburton
Participants will be able to learn from and be inspired by other young people who will share their emerging art practice and inspiration. The young workshop leaders will bring their recent experience of Arts Award, GCSEs, A-Levels and Art College as well as their personal passion for art making.
Based at Sands School, Ashburton.
Art from the Earth – Wild Clay, Natural Dye, and Charcoal Mark Making
15-18 August, Ide near Exeter
Artists from Organic Arts will lead participants in making art about nature using art supplies made from the surrounding nature.
Based at West Town Farm in Ide (just outside of Exeter). A shuttle will run from Exeter each day. Parking available on site.
Freestyle Patchwork – freed to remake a healthier world
22-25 August, Okehampton
Artist Catherine West uses quilting and patchwork to explore the climate crisis. Working with groups of young people, , she has devised an approach to artmaking known as ‘Freestyle Patchwork’ which she will share in this week of activity. Participants will be challenged to use what has otherwise been labelled ‘waste material’, to breathe new life into old fabric.
Based at the Okehampton Ecohub, alongside Okehampton College.
Significant Seams is working with a range of partners to deliver the activities, including Sands Democratic School, Organic Arts, Art & Energy CIC, Okehampton EcoHub, and Harvest Workers Coop.
Four-day programmes are £100 for early bird bookings until 15 July, after which the cost is £140. Free places sponsored by Devon County Council are available to young people who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, have a SEND diagnosis or are a recent Ukrainian refugee.
Transport support bursaries are also available based on need, and some transport support will be made available between locations for young people wishing to participate across all four weeks.
Paid and free spaces for the activities can be booked online at https://bit.ly/sigseamsyouthprogramme.
