Designed for those who love the zesty and vibrant designs, motifs and colours that inspire the art from the Italian Mediterranean regions or working and using colour to uplift in general. Informative and experiential hands-on workshop using the colours of the Mediterranean and mixed media elements in your creation of a personalised unique art collage.

Enjoy using easy, fun techniques as you create in a social environment with others who share similar interests and are also creatively wanting to relax and uplift through art as therapy.

Working within the Mixed Media framework and with colour, design, composition & art styles. Practical hands-on exploration and creation of your very own experimental mixed media artwork, using a variety of mediums and media.

Course Outline:

For those of you who are Non-Artist Creatives or Hobbyists at a beginner or intermediate levels or feel you have loads of untapped creative potential but are unsure where to start and are seeking more confidence or technique-know how.

Journey into the world of colour expression, symbolism and culture using mixed media contemporary Collage techniques. With mixed media, just about anything goes so you can feel liberated to experiment and explore in a learning and supported workshop environment.

Learning Content:

• We briefly explore the influences in art around the Italian regions of the coast like Capri, Amalfi Coast and inland Tuscany, historically to current day
• Mixed Media art style and exploration/experimentation is encouraged. Focusing on appreciating art from historical elements, colour, design and styles of art forms
• There will be focus on hands on creating as well as group discussion and sharing as well as reflection time in the workshop session
• Facilitated by an Artist/Art Therapy and Wellbeing Facilitator

Learning Outcomes:

• With Collage, a variety of materials are used from, drawings, doodles, images (photos, stock images, magazine, newspaper print) books, paper, fabric, objects (man-made and natural), bric-a-brac of all sorts
• In addition various mediums are used in combination with collaging (see Art Materials used below)
• Combined self-directed pace progress & instructional demonstrations by tutor
• Participants focus on self-expression, and for some who need it can also follow easy step-by-step in-class processes and techniques
• Process Over Product: The emphasis rests on feeling less fearful about creating- exploration, materials testing, and personal growth rather than a finished piece. Though that is up to the participant ultimately
• Practical and experiential hands-on activity, creating your own creative personalised experimental artwork using fun creative mixed media techniques

Art Materials May Include:

Canvas, Acrylic Paints, Watercolours/inks & markers, paper & embellishments, bric-a-brac. Natural & organic materials derived from nature, it’s mixed media so anything goes!

Material Costs per person:

BYO Materials and art requirements as suggested by Tutor.
Additional materials may be provided on the day by Tutor depending on projects.
All participants will be contacted by the Tutor prior to the workshop regarding any additional necessary materials
h4. Art Supplies Discount:

As a bonus for learning Art with SGSCC, all enrolled students are entitled to a generous 10% discount off the purchase of art supplies when they shop in-store at Eckersley’s Art & Craft, Taren Point!
View Eckersley's Website for product ideas.

About the Tutor:

Facilitated by an Artist/Art Therapy and Holistic Creative Arts Therapist.

Melissa (Mel) Martin is a local contemporary Artist, Holistic Creative Art Therapist and a Mindfulness practitioner, who is passionate about enabling one’s inner ability to create, through artistic expression, seeking to inspire and promote wellbeing through an artistic journey of healing and personal growth.

Mel facilitates local art classes/workshops in the community and privately, where she explores with small groups their true selves and the potential they have and the fear that is holding them back. By engaging in this therapy, Mel is able to reach into the lives of the people she can help more directly or build a personalised service for an individual or group looking for opportunities to learn how to relax, reduce stress, improve confidence, empathy/compassion, problem solving skills and workflow.
Mel works with kids, adolescents

Mel’s Art of Zen is Mel’s business entity located here in the Shire.

Qualifications:
Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy (HICAT) Diploma,
Holistic Therapies College, QLD
Art Therapy Diploma, Health & Harmony College, QLD.
BSc (Psychology), UNSW.
Change Management Post Graduate Diploma, CSU.
HR Management Certificate,
Sydney University.
Member -International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT)
Working With Children Check Approved.
Services NSW.

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.