Celebrating Creativity and Community: Sea Sparkle

 

In the heart of our local community, a unique art group is transforming the way people connect, create, and collaborate. My name is Liz Walker, I am an Artist and I would like to share our community Art classes with you. A Seasparkle class isn’t just about fabulous Art, it brings people together and fosters a sense of belonging, inspiring creativity in a welcoming and inclusive space.

Sea Sparkle Art Classes

Are unique and nurturing art classes which enable individuals to develop their creativity, art skills and confidence in a safe and inspiring way. Our community workshops and classes bring joy, a host of positive experiences, nurture relationships and provide rewarding memories for all involved.

 

Creativity should be accessible to everyone, regardless of previous drawing skills or experience and our hope is to enable individuals to try something new and feel they can build their own artistic language in a supportive environment.

Having worked in Secondary schools for twenty years as well as in Community Arts all my career, I have explored a broad range of  of art and craft skills and projects. From very young children , secondary education, specialist care groups, adult education, dementia patients and Mental Health projects,I have taught Art, design and crafts to learners of all abilities from 4-104!

Good mental health requires us to play, through activities which co-ordinate our hands and eyes and suggest we slow down to look at things in more detail.  In a non- competitive, stimulating and fun workshop or class, Artists are able to explore ideas, relax and cement friendships in a gentle and trusting way, whilst receiving practical help to enable their creative ideas to flourish.

Feeling we belong, being part of a community has been shown to be even more vital since the pandemic, providing an essential lifeline to those who are lonely, unwell, immobile, or isolated. Many of us want to connect but have no idea where to start. We would like to develop new skills but don’t know how or if we are good enough.

Throughout the Pandemic, I shared daily art practice online with my Art group in Scotland, encouraging others to share their drawings under a loose theme each day. These Artworks later became weekly themed galleries, which not only kept the group (and several individuals elsewhere in the country) connected but continued afterwards when the classes were live again. 

Every Artist enjoyed improvement in their skills, but more importantly, the Art group community stayed together, eventually becoming a real group again once the rules were lifted. Two years ago, after a life move to Devon, I began the Highweek Art group, in a village hall just outside Newton Abbot. We now have a very successful and full Art group, building on ideas and skills weekly, and building a vibrant community of creatives who support each other.  The Coldingham Art group is still going strong in Scotland, and both groups produce fantastic Artwork on a weekly basis. To this day, the Sea-sparkle weekly gallery still continues, with many members of each group, (and some artists working from home) adding their completed pictures under the suggested theme. To view the extensive catalogue of weekly galleries go click on any box from the home page. 

A huge library of exemplars, books, resources and art materials have been built up.  Artists are encouraged to explore a range of different media and continue to receive optional theme suggestions every week, acting as a prompt to begin a piece.  

Classes are held in the village hall in Highweek every Thursday morning 10-12.30

Email liz for details      lizatthebeachhut@yahoo.co.uk

 

Open to everyone, regardless of skill level, Highweek Art group, offers a safe and supportive environment for people to explore their creative side. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or refining a skill you’ve cherished for years, this group encourages everyone to express themselves without judgment. It’s a space where you can simply enjoy the act of being creative or take the opportunity to grow and learn new techniques across a variety of artistic mediums. Members have explored all kinds of drawing and painting techniques, often working to a loose theme each week. A dedicated gallery seasparkle.org showcases finished Artwork from the class, as well as Coldingham Art group in Scotland, (which Liz also used to teach before relocating to Devon ), and also includes artwork from members working at home.

A weekly class has grown in number since its inception two years ago, gaining momentum and members enjoy a convivial, supportive atmosphere.

A Seasparkle class or workshop is a place to forget the stress of everyday for a couple of hours and just play, picking up hints and tips and inspiration. The atmosphere encourages trust and creative exploration and in a world where it can be challenging to find genuine opportunities to be with others, this group offers a space to come together, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, making it a haven for those looking to explore the joy of art alongside others.

 

Liz’s Seasparkle workshops run throughout the Summer. One to one and small group sessions are available to book. To discuss these or anything else contact lizatthebeachhut@yahoo.co.uk

 

To learn more or get involved, visit or drop by one of their sessions and see the magic for yourself.