art groups, Workshops & events
“Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
I run a variety of inclusive workshops all intended to educate, inspire and encourage creativity. Using drawing, mark-making, paint, print and collage my aim is always to boost confidence and enable everyone taking part to create something they can be proud of. Sessions range from one-off workshops to more in depth classes and courses for adults, children and young people in both large and small groups.
Events include school visits (online and in person), book readings and signings, drawing demos and a variety of bespoke workshops with a focus on art and the written word.
Please get in touch if you’d like to talk about about creating a workshop or an event.
I am passionate about teaching art and run regular groups exploring playful and inclusive approaches to creativity and visual literacy. I also work regionally with the NHS and ReConnect Gloucestershire as a Creative Health Practitioner, developing and delivering online and in person weekly art sessions for stroke survivors and people with long term health conditions.
I have an enhanced DBS and a Level 2 Safeguarding qualification.
REVIEWS
“The online author event was an outstanding experience for our class. The children thoroughly enjoyed the story reading, which captured their imaginations from the very start. The live drawing session was an enormous success - every single child in my class was completely engaged and able to follow along step by step. By the end of the session, each child had completed their own drawing and was so proud to share their work.
It’s worth noting that 15 of the 30 children in my class have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the fact that every child was able to participate fully and confidently is a testament to how inclusive, accessible, and inspiring this event was. I would highly recommend this author session to other schools looking to spark creativity and a love of reading and art.”
“Since starting the course with Rebecca, it has totally opened my eyes to what benefits that art has to offer. Rebecca has been fantastic and has brought our group together as friends. We all have our own issues and as a group we have the confidence to talk about it. ”
“I wanted to say thank you and express how fab Rebecca was; she was fantastic. Please do pass on my huge appreciation to Rebecca, she was superb, engaging and the children really enjoyed learning from her and listening to all she was sharing.
We have already had a thank you communication from a parent: ‘Just a quick note to say THANK YOU so much for the brilliant book session this afternoon. What a fantastic opportunity. Ella came home buzzing this afternoon having met the illustrator & was very pleased with her new book!’”
“Rebecca Ashdown has run innovative, inspiring and creative workshops as part of the Guardian Education Centre’s annual cartoon and art family day for the last eight years. The sessions are fun, hands-on and accessible to all ages. She is diligent, a great communicator and has a lovely rapport with children and adults. She also encourages those who might feel that being creative is not for them so they feel included and produce work of which they are proud.”
VENUES AND PARTNERS
GALLERY
