Mindful Art and Forest Bathing Walk

Join Charlotte and Jess for a morning of winter stillness & peaceful connection at Fletcher Moss Park.

This restorative workshop will be a chance for you to slow down, notice your surroundings and commune with nature using mindful art and nature connection activities.

What will the workshop involve?

Following the gentle guidance from Charlotte and Jess, you will be guided to tune into your senses and connect with nature in a meaningful way. You will be invited to notice the small details of winter, the textures, the smells or perhaps the way nature moves, grows and restores at this dormant time of year. The intention of the session is for you to spend time in the present moment, exploring nature from a new perspective without expectations of a polished creative outcome.

A small amount of walking and a combination of guided meditation, Forest Bathing activities, mindful art making, resting and sharing circles (optional).

The workshop ends with a warming tea ceremony and a chance to connect with each other and share your experiences.

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing is an ancient wellness practice originating in Japan and is translated from the Japanese term 'Shinrin Yoku', which literally translates as 'bathing among the trees'.

Forest Bathing encourages you to be more mindful in nature and to engage all of the senses, allowing your mind to have a rest and for you to gain more insight about your life and the world around you.

Who are my guides?

Jess Wilkinson from The Sea Within is a qualified Forest Bathing Guide and Creative Wellbeing Practitioner for Children & Families. She has a natural affinity with the natural world and this embodies the work that she does with people of all ages. Her practice is heart-led & nurturing, focusing on encouraging others to notice the wonder of nature using Mindfulness and expressive art based activities.

She encourages an innocent & child-like approach to viewing nature, creating a safe space for others to find solace and insight from their experiences.

Jess partners with cultural organisations such as The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, National Trust and The RHS as well as schools & private groups in Greater Manchester, Cheshire & Derbyshire.

Charlotte Smithson is an artist living and working in Manchester, UK.

Through her practice Charlotte explores ecology and our relationships with nature and landscapes. She follows her ideas through immersive installation, drawing and sustainable approaches to analogue and cameraless photography.

Charlotte's work provokes quiet reflection on the natural world's vast beauty and fragility, and our place within it. She feels passionately about experiencing the richness of the outdoors without physically taking from it. She encourages playful observation and curiosity as respectful tools to remember and care for the wild.

Charlotte has exhibited across the UK including at the Garden Museum, RHS Chelsea, National Trust Sissinghurst, The Whitworth and has collaborated with Manchester Metropolitan University,  Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group.

https://www.charlottesmithson.com/

What do I need to know?

Sunday 3rd December

10.30 - 1.30pm

Please meet in the Parsonage Gardens, outside The Parsonage building and we will walk across to the park from here

Suitable for ages 18+

All materials and art equipment is supplied, but please feel welcome to bring along a sketchbook/journal if you wish

We will embrace the weather whatever it decides to do, so the workshop will go ahead unless there are adverse conditions like extreme wind, rain or snow! In this case we will inform you 24 hours prior to the day to let you know if this is the case.

Please wear weather appropriate footwear and lots of warm layers. It does feel cooler when sitting still, so thermals are recommended, an extra layer than usual and bring a waterproof, in case the weather is changeable.  We'll share refreshments at the end, however feel free to bring a drink, snack and warm drink if you wish to.

Please bring a foldaway mat or an old cushion to sit on. If you have mobility issues then please let us know and we can give you some guidance.

Upon booking your email will be added to our mailing lists - you can unsubscribe at any time.

Tickets are non-refundable - please make contact if you need to cancel and we can explore the options.

Photo Credit: Charlotte Smithson