Creative Connections: Continuing Art and Wellbeing in Parent and Baby Workshops

After two very successful sessions run by Amy Hutchings, Arts Hub artist in residence Emma Powell led the last two sessions for the Parent and Baby Art Hour workshops at Chew Baptist Hall, Chew Magna on 4th and 11th February.

Bringing Art and Families Together

Emma showed the class how to use a tool to imprint and make patterns in foil to become a hanging decoration, a card motif or a decoration for a box.  The parents found the task very simple and calming, and loved creating pleasing textures in the foil. Many parents commented on the mark making as being a very 'therapeutic' process. The sessions offered parents a space for wellbeing and to create art in the company of other parents and children. We had some parents return after attending previous sessions with Amy Hutchings, and others who asked to be kept in touch about future sessions. This highlighted to us the demand for sessions like these to be going on regularly in this area. We are really excited to have started building a network of parents to continue the sessions with in the next year of residencies.

The sessions were held at Chew Baptist Hall, and families attended from all around the Chew Valley; from Chew Stoke, Felton, East Harptree, Chew Magna, Pensford and Long Ashton. Parents could chat over a hot drink and cake, making the workshops not just about art but also about building connections and support networks. As with the first two sessions run by Amy, this combination of creativity and community made the workshops a hit. Parents that had attended sessions before also commented that it was nice to do a different type of craft and appreciated learning skills from both Amy and Emma.

Feedback from Participants

Emma's approach to running the workshops made the process calming and therapeutic. The response to the workshops was overwhelmingly positive. The only comments were that the sessions could be longer and run more regularly, which is something we would love to happen in the future!

"Really enjoyed it. Very therapeutic. Safe Space"

"very friendly & welcoming. There was something for everyone and it was very laid back"

"All the toys out for my toddler. The biscuits and snacks! She loved the colouring"

"A nice safe space for the babies to play. Calm and no pressure"

"Yes I found it very relaxing for my mind the mark making"

The feedback and popularity of the sessions shows there is a real demand for art-based wellbeing activities in the area. It highlights how creative workshops for families can meet a need for connection, relaxation, and self-expression among parents.