Community Wellbeing — Healing Through Art
Course overview
Our Community Wellbeing: Healing Through Art course is designed for learners seeking relief from minor to moderate mental health challenges while nurturing their creative abilities.
Our experienced tutor, Hector Garay, will provide a safe space for you to explore emotions through various art forms. You will be encouraged to explore new techniques or improve your favourite ones. This programme is flexible enough to allow you to thrive at your own pace and help you grow in your desired direction.
The small group size ensures personalised attention and feedback. In a collaborative atmosphere, you can share your work, gain insights from others, and develop your skills.
At the end of the course, we will showcase your chosen work in a community exhibition, so you can celebrate your progress and inspire others.
We are offering two-hour sessions on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. You can attend as many of the sessions as you wish!
Dates
2024: 3, 10, 17, 24 October, 7, 14, 21, 28 November, 5, 12, 19 December.
2025: 16, 23, 30 January, 6, 13, 27 February, 6, 13, 20, 27 March, 3, 24 April, 1, 8, 15, 22 May, 5, 12, 19, 26 June.
This course runs term time only.
Our Community Wellbeing Programme offers a series of free, government-funded courses to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence, and improve mental wellbeing for adults aged 19 and over (at the start of the course). Participation can help those managing mental health conditions that have a mild-moderate impact on their day-to-day lives. By taking part in Wellbeing Programmes, individuals will receive support in progressing their creative skills and interests to the next level as well as tools to help manage wellbeing on a daily basis. For further details and terms and conditions please view our Community Wellbeing page.
You’ll explore the following:
Introduction to Materials – Discover various art supplies: pencils, charcoal, ink, watercolours, acrylics, and more. Learn how to choose the right materials for your artistic goals.
Drawing Fundamentals – Master basic drawing techniques: line, shape, form, and perspective. Explore contour drawing, gesture sketches, and shading.
Colour Exploration – Understand colour theory: primary, secondary, and complementary colours. Experiment with colour mixing and blending techniques.
Painting Technique – Acrylics: Layering, impasto, and texture. Watercolours: Wet-on-wet, dry brush, and washes.
Printmaking – Relief printing (linocut).
Mixed Media Adventures – Combine different materials: collages, found objects, and digital elements. Create expressive, layered artworks.
Experimental Approaches – Abstract techniques: pouring, splattering, and masking. Monoprinting and monotype.
Sculpture and 3D Art – Clay modelling, wire sculpture, and papier-mâché. Explore form, balance, and texture.
Creative Challenges – Weekly prompts to push your boundaries.
Gallery Showcase – Celebrate your journey by exhibiting your explorations. Reflect on how each technique influenced your artistic voice.
Community Wellbeing: Healing Through Art aims to boost confidence and improve mental and emotional well-being. The sessions provide a wonderful opportunity to explore creativity, learn new techniques, and enjoy the power of expressing yourself through art. You’ll benefit from a supportive and inclusive environment, connecting with others who share your interests.
Each session is interactive and hands-on, giving you plenty of opportunities to practice and refine your techniques.
You will be taught and encouraged by our experienced tutor Hector Garay to develop your artistic skills, through one-to-one tutorials, group demonstrations and peer-to-peer support.
Basic materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own materials.
Why not take your creative journey further? Activate Learning offers a wide variety of art courses, diplomas, and degrees that you can progress into once your confidence has grown. These courses are suitable for those who wish to pursue a career in the creative industries or simply explore their skills further.
Our Wellbeing Programme courses are separate from our main adult learning courses and are tailored to support your wellbeing, progressing interests and skills. For further details and terms and conditions please view our Community Wellbeing page.
Please note: Each learner must commit to an Individual Learning Plan, which will be reviewed at three points in the year. Your tutor will have a 1:1 conversation with you to identify your goals and outcomes for the year ahead. This will be reviewed at the end of the year, and your tutor will discuss your next steps with you.
Alternatively enrol by phone quoting BYAEL73EA
Meet the tutors
We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.
