West Dean Creative Walk Project

An opportunity to find inspiration in nature and develop ideas into a finished piece of art under the guidance of professional artists.

Open to all
Location: West Dean Parish

Project Duration
1 Creative Walk + 1 Artist Led Workshop + 1 Exhibition

Dates:
Selection of dates to choose from

Cost:
3 in 1 just £8 or by donation (we’ll happily accept more as we’re non profit!)

Book Tickets
Spaces are limited so please follow the link to book your space/ticket for one walk and one workshop. Book now https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/canopy-creative-network-20077585133

” The workshop was brilliant. It set me thinking about how I have the capability to expand my horizons creatively. I was very grateful for generous range of supplies you provided. I only hope more workshops can happen. I especially enjoyed the inspiring encounter with the forest at the beginning of the workshop and listening to the words we use to describe the beauty of the Forest of Dean. ” Jenny

West Dean 3:1 Art Walk Project
Canopy is delighted to be able to offer an extension of our usual Creative Walks in Nature.

West Dean Parish Council funding is supporting Canopy to enable us to offer several Creative Walks with follow up Art Workshops led by local professional artists. The aim will be to help participants develop their ideas into finished pieces of art which will be showcased in an exhibition sometime in December.

The displays are likely to be in Bream and/or Parkend and will be an opportunity for participants to invite family and friends to share in their achievement.

All walks are inclusive, social and fun! The aim ultimately is for Canopy to develop a travelling exhibition about the Creative Walks which can be shown at different venues in 2024 – 5 around the Forest of Dean to celebrate and promote this work.

Two walks will start in Parkend and two will start at the war Memorial in Bream. Two workshops will be in Parkend and two will be at the West Dean Centre Bream. All you need to do is sign up for one of the 4 walks offered and one of the workshops. Canopy is a not- for-profit organisation so we only ask for a donation which covers BOTH opportunities . Suggested donation is £8 (or pay what you feel it’s worth! We’ll happily accept more as we’re non profit!)

Walks: An artist led walk for people interested in being active and creative, encouraging participation through written or spoken word, photography, visual notes, map making, story telling and drawing. Please wear boots/strong shoes and waterproof/suitable clothing. You don’t need to bring an art kit, everything is provided but bring a camera if you’d like to record what we see. The walk itself is not long because we regularly stop along the way to engage with nature and explore our responses. There will be numerous opportunities to creatively make marks, take photos, collect found objects, write notes and enjoy the company of like minded supportive others. The joy of noticing something that often is overlooked can be very exciting and sharing ideas in a small group can hopefully inspire further creative ideas.

Art Workshops: In our artist led workshops, we will be working from the inspiration you discovered on your Creative Walk and developing it into a finished piece of art for display in our Art Exhibition. This may take the form of a painting, sketch, poem, song, textile, embroidery, photograph, sculpture or a visual art of your choice. We will be providing some art materials and encourage you to bring art supplies to complete your artwork according to your vision. Our team of professional artists will be on hand to help guide your creative process during the workshop with advice and practical skills

We keep the groups small & friendly so please book here to secure your space. Only 12 spots available. An experience for creatives and the general public, suitable for beginner walkers. Numbers are limited so please book as soon as possible

Walk, Option 1 – Thursday 14 th September 10.45 – 1.00pm
The group will meet outside Parkend Station, so please park around the main green at Parkend. Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather. Everything else is provided but if you wish to take photos bring a camera/phone. There is a slow incline, not steep for the first part of the walk. At the end of the walk we will go to The Cycle Shop café so we can have a coffee/lunch and chat.

Walk, Option 2 – Friday 22 nd September 11.00am – 12.30/1.00pm
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE ♿ REDUCED MOBILITY

This walk is aimed at anyone who finds walking difficult, uses walking aids or wheelchairs. This is more of an opportunity to experience the forest creatively than an actual walk as the distance covered is probably less than quarter of a mile.

We will start at St Pauls Church in Parkend. Parking is available at the far end of the road just past the church. Please wear warm/waterproof clothing because we will be moving slowly. Everything else is provided but if you wish to take photos bring a camera/phone. At the end of the walk hot drinks will be available from the car and anyone wishing to go to The Cycle Shop café for lunch and a chat is very welcome.The road and path leading up to the church is tarmac and has a slight incline.  There is a ramp that can be used to access the church where there is a toilet with a raised seat. The woodland road outside the church has a level tarmac surface so easy for wheelchairs, walking frames and/or sticks.  Canopy has several resting seats/perches which can be used to rest on.  The road leading to the main road has a small incline and is tarmac.  The church warden has assured me there are no planned services on the morning of 22^nd Sept so the road will be quiet. Canopy will put up signs informing any users.

Refreshments will be served from my car at the end of the walk!
Any concerns over the surface and facilities contact Sara Rickard, Canopy – sarajrickard@gmail.com

Walk, Option 3 – Saturday 14 th October 10.45 – 1.00pm
We will meet at the War Memorial, in the centre of Bream. There is parking at the West Dean Centre, behind Bream café and by the memorial. Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather. Everything else is provided but if you wish to take photos bring a camera/phone. We walk down a hill during the middle of the walk which we walk back up, so a medium level of fitness is required although pace is not quick! At the end of the walk we will go to Bream café so we can have a coffee/lunch and chat.

Walk, Option 4–Wednesday 18 th October 10.45 – 1.00pm
We will meet at the War Memorial, in the centre of Bream. There is parking at the West Dean Centre, behind Bream café and by the memorial. Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather. Everything else is provided but if you wish to take photos bring a camera/phone. We walk down a hill during the middle of the walk which we walk back up, so a medium level of fitness is required although pace is not quick! At the end of the walk we will go to Bream café so we can have a coffee/lunch and chat.

ARTIST LED WORKSHOPS
Each workshop will be led by artists to encourage participants to develop ideas started on the walk.

Artist Led Workshops, Option 1: Monday 16th October
1-4pm West Dean Centre, Bream Sara/Roger/Rob

Artist Led Workshops, Option 2 : Thursday 26th October
1-4pm West Dean Centre, Bream Sara/Roger/Rob

Artist Led Workshops, Option 3: Sunday 29th October
10am -1pm Parkend Memorial Hall Sara/Roger/Rob

Artist Led Workshops, Option 4: Wednesday 1st November
10am-1pm Parkend Memorial Hall Sara/Roger/Rob

Artist Led Workshops, Option 5 : Thursday 2nd November
6-9pm Parkend Memorial Hall Sara/Roger/Rob

Display/Exhibition of work
In celebration of all the hard work our participants have put into this project, we will be showcasing their finished pieces of art in an art exhibition at The West Dean Centre in Bream on Sunday 10th Dec between 3-4pm.