Creative Thinking and Nature Appreciation Group Workshop

Novel timeout to tune in to your creativity and nature connection


Mel Barry

Mel Barry

3 hours Class size 25 to 200 guests     $115

Sydney
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Experiences
Brought to you by the Founder of Art Hut in London's Battersea Park, a creative expression and nature appreciation experience for professional groups and adult social groups.
Taking time out, in any format, to reflect on our personal nature connection, can alter our pace or provide a fresh perspective. Creative pursuits help to spark self-improvement, original ideas, or innovation.
This experience encourages individual and/or collaborative creativity, and is ideal for those who feel they are not very creative but nonetheless willing to take some creative steps in a non-competitive environment.
Perhaps enjoy it as a wellbeing or client event, or as a work social with colleagues from a range of departments or your immediate team?
Past participants have described their experience as freeing, exciting, relaxing, challenging, fun, empowering, and a creative stretch.
"The creative fun of Mel's workshop got my subconscious rummaging around a favourite attic in the back of my mind. It inspired me to write a brief to inject playfulness into a current work project, which also led to a valuable reconnection with a former colleague". Dr Ken Hudson, PhD Organisational Creativity.
Class outline:
Main session (min. 2 hours)
The first part is a warm-up, involving a number of short tasks to help get you into a creative mode. You will experiment with broad creative expression concepts and broad nature connection themes. An eclectic mix of arts and crafts materials (additional cost) will provide inspiration. The second part is more self-guided and contemplative, during which you can continue experimenting or develop a concept further. Go at your own pace, or perhaps collaborate if someone has a similar creative interest.
Following the main session:
At the conclusion of the main session opt to continue working on your mini creation, or mingle with others and chat about your concepts and creations. There is a good-size kitchen within the main workshop room, plus a kitchenette with comfy seating just outside the main room. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere at this venue.
Other details: The entrance to Building 15 is from Harris Street and the workshop room is fully accessible. The experience is entirely indoors, but at your request can be adapted to include weather-dependent outdoor tasks nearby. In keeping with the timeout theme, everyone will be asked to switch off phones and other devices.
Note before booking: Please do not contact the venue. Please first email Mel Barry to arrange a Pre-Booking Meeting at UTSS Building 15. If reasonable adjustments are required please include a short request in your email. Those that can be accommodated will be confirmed by Mel via email following the Pre-Booking Meeting.
If your group is larger than 25 participants: Please email Mel to discuss the room layout, and whether you might prefer to book a venue elsewhere. Depending on your group size, at UTSS Building 15 you may need to make two bookings for the same date. Mel's time and travel costs related to a venue other than UTSS Building 15 may be charged in addition to the per-head price.

Knowledge required
No experience is necessary. This is a general creative expression and general nature appreciation session, for beginners. Mel is neither art teacher nor art therapist.
 
What you'll get
Take your creations with you. If your organisation would like to exhibit the workshop output please ask me about curation options.
The per-head price also includes:
  • Flexible hours, within reason, to suit your preferred timing and location. Mel's indicative availability herein is subject to change from week to week.
  • One 30 minutes Pre-Booking Meeting at UTSS Building 15 with Mel Barry, to be attended prior to making your workshop booking;
  • One planning meeting - online or by phone - for up to an hour, after your workshop booking is confirmed and your payment is received in full;
  • Up to three hours total for workshop set-up and clean-up.
EXCLUDED:
  • Arts and crafts materials. After your workshop booking is confirmed and your payment received in full, you'll receive a list of suggested materials to source and purchase, and bring with you two hours prior to the start time.
  • Storage before and after the booking times;
  • Access to UTSS Building 15 before and after the booking times (apart from Pre-Booking Meeting mentioned above).
What to bring
Perhaps an apron to protect your clothes, thin gloves, and a mask.
 
Location

UTS Startups. Building 15 (CB15). - 15/622-632 Harris St, Ultimo NSW

This venue is within walking distance from Central station (700m).

Your teacher can also travel within 20 kms of Ultimo, to a venue of your choice for a private class

Creative Thinking and Nature Appreciation Group Workshop location
Your teacher

Mel Barry
Mel Barry

female Women-owned

I enjoy facilitating novel ways for organisations and individuals to seek fresh perspectives. A creative breakthrough is powerful, and creative pursuits can help to spark self-improvement, original ideas, or innovation.
Mostly self-taught, with some formal training as a creativity facilitator in England, since 2012 I have delivered many hundreds of hours of adult creative expression sessions for a range of public and private organisations, festivals, and community groups in London and Sydney.
As an independent curator in London I produced public exhibitions to showcase professional and aspiring artists alike. These featured a range of collaborative projects across sculpture, painting, drawing, cartooning, printmaking, dance, and poetry. I enjoyed a five year collaboration with a therapeutic gardening charity serving the London public. In their lovely English garden I delivered public exhibitions, and creativity sessions for individuals, pairs, and groups.
Delivering workshops is one of a number of ways that I practise and stretch my own creative expression and curiosity. My inspiration is mostly found through dancing, bird song and other natural beauty, walking, music, singing, devised theatre, political art, and societal themes involving citizenship and social action.
As a sustainability professional I specialise in a range of soft skills across external communications, engagement, and creativity. I have developed these throughout my career with a focus on environmental and community-based initiatives.
2024-11-29 15:00:00
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