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.

Participants may choose to start something new or bring along unfinished objects (UFOs) lying around to have the ability, time and confidence with an art tutor guiding and mentoring to get finished or just to create and use it as time for art as therapy and to be in a relaxed creative flow state.

Course Content:

• Participants work side-by-side to foster a creative-community, experimentation, and creative exchange of techniques and ideas and socially engage.
• SGSCC Mixed Media Open Studio’s approach would be on a gently guided creative process, where participants choose their own materials (bring their own and have some basics or additional supplied) and work within a semi-structured safe supportive environment.
• Mixed Media art style and exploration/experimentation is encouraged. Focusing on appreciating art from elements, colour, design and styles of art forms.
• There will be focus on hands on techniques and 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:

• 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.
• Accessible Community: It breaks down the divide between the solitary emerging artist/creative/hobbyist and the outside world, making art-making less daunting and welcoming, especially for beginner and intermediate creatives who lack confidence.
• 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!

What to bring:

• BYO Materials and art requirements.
• 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

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.