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The Nurture Group at Flourish Art School is a carefully curated, artist-led course drawing on many expert sources and the artists’ own experience to nurture fellow emerging artists.
A friendly, fun, supportive and positive artist led community is nurtured, one in which sharing ideas, inspiration and encouragement key.
Check out the testimonials and gallery below!!!!
The group will be a small and select group of creative people who want to regularly come together to learn and break down creative blocks and expand their artistic horizons
The Saturday Nurture Group at Flourish Art School, Christchurch Dorset is a carefully curated, artist-led course drawing on many expert sources and the artists’ own experience to nurture fellow emerging artists in Dorset. The group is a small, friendly group of (max) 12 creative people who want to regularly come together in Christchurch, Dorset and learn exercises to break down any creative blocks and barriers, or just expand their artistic horizons; to learn about and emulate other artists to expand their own artistic vocabulary. This in the hope that they find and grow their own unique voice, a regular creative practice, direction and to build a body of work.
Check out our group Instagram for all the latest works, added weekly after each session!
@flourish_nurture_group
Flourish Art School in Christchurch, Dorset is a friendly, fun, supportive and positive artist community created and run by Melanie Clark; a space where sharing ideas, inspiration and encouragement is key. It is hoped that as each group grows in confidence in themselves and each other, they may well aim to share and exhibit their work in local pop up exhibitions, to be curated by the group themselves, either as solo shows or in (a)group(s).
These are the key inspirational texts from which ideas for nurturing artistic growth have been drawn and are shared in addition to the artist’s own journey. (These will always be credited throughout the course)
Reading List
Start Now Get Perfect Later - Rob Moore
Steal Like An Artist - Austin Kleon
How to Sell Your Art Online - Cory Huff
Mindfulness and the Art of Drawing - Wendy Ann Greenhalgh
The Artist’s Way - Julia Cameron
Essential Art Therapy Exercises - Leah Guzman
We will sometimes be undertaking Mindful Drawing exercises (materials supplied for these exercises only, large paper and charcoal) to get up and moving and to loosen up.
We will be making small studies from a different artist each week and chatting about these (and life in general!) together but in a safe and positive environment, to learn from each other. There is an online WhatsApp Group which allows the group to share their success in getting work done, whatever the outcome.
There will be individualised 1:1 sessions with the artist Melanie at certain points in the course to help each individual develop their own direction and goals unique to them.
Art does not exist in a vacuum, it needs company!
Please bring your own artist preferred materials for any other exercises we undertake and a large notebook.
New materials to inspire are added weekly!!
In this way, being accountable ensures progress!
Please go the contact page for any more information, Melanie would love to hear from you.
The Nurture Groups are run in the Bournemouth, Southbourne and Christchurch areas .
The Christchurch Saturday morning Nurture Group for Artists is on from 10.30am -12.30pm and is only £100 per 8 week term.
There is a new Nurture Group for Artists coming to Poole !!! starting Saturday April 6th at 2pm - 4pm at the Parkstone United Reformed Church, 16 Commercial Rd, Poole BH14 0JW🤩
Members can join the Nurture Groups at anytime and begin their 8 week term, on a rolling membership. Upon booking a brief questionnaire will be sent out to learn about your aspirations and any blocks plus a materials list.
The Nurture Groups
The Nurture Groups begin their journey by making small studies each week from a different famous artist, i.e Van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin. We also have an animal study week and a Japanese art week!
These will be manageable studies to successfully build confidence and encourage creativity. In this group the members get on with their own work at their own pace using supplied and inspiring source materials, new ones each week!
There will be guidance if needed and lots of support. There will also be the opportunity for those who want to learn how to use a grid to accurately draw out a likeness for a portrait of their choice. Also learning how to mix flesh tones and there will be some studies made from famous portraits too for inspiration. This group suits those who enjoy working in company and feel confident enough to have a go at copying different artists and, if they like, a portrait, with support, using their preferred mediums. This will be a relaxed group but we will be very productive!
Please see the group works and testimonials below to hear how the group has felt supported and has flourished!!
There will only be 12 spaces for artists in each Saturday Nurture Group running.
These go quickly!
There will be 10 spaces for beginners and improvers in the new Nurture Group for Artists beginning in Poole on Saturday 6th April at 2pm.
This is an opportunity to kickstart your creativity and develop a regular art practice among like minded people. You will get your own set of materials to work with throughout the 8 week course. It is hoped you will want to stay in the Nurture Group for Artists and come on an 8 week rolling term basis, though the first 8 weeks is slso a stand alone course. Call Melanie Clark, Nurture Group leader and founder of Flourish Art School for more information and a friendly chat 07843188667.
Book now to avoid disappointment.
(Some pop up Nurture Groups for Artists will be developed shortly, for people to drop into in cafes in the community)
Please read the course information carefully.
This is a course to inspire and encourage you to build your own creativity by researching and copying from your own choice of artists. The success of the groups depends on the positive attitude to learning and sharing and a willingness to be a beginner.
There will be some teaching of use of the grid and colour mixing but you will largely be learning from your copying.
Please call and ask if you have any questions before you book:
07843188667
The Nurture Group is for Artists in the Christchurch, Dorset area and the course runs on a Saturday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm
Please arrive promptly ready to begin at 10.30am, there’s no time to waste!
The first term is for 8 weekly sessions, to include some Mindful Drawing exercise materials, coffee and cake.
The Saturday Nurture Groups will also move on to learn how to use a grid to accurately draw out a likeness for a portrait of their choice, if they wish.
The artist Melanie Clark will be on hand to guide and demonstrate colour mixing of flesh tones.
The Nurture Group Course which runs on a Saturday from 10.30am-12.30pm is £100 (includes inspiring source materials, fresh coffee and cake!).
Please read the course content carefully before booking, there are no refunds for missed sessions. There is some individual and group guidance in the class as the artist supports you. It is a course to inspire you to be more creative and to help you learn from copying the masters and each other each week using your own preferred mediums in the Nurture Group. There will also be 1:1 art coaching to help each artist develop their own practice and direction.
"I have not painted for 25 years due to work and child responsibilities. The Nurture Art Group has been great for me. Melanie and the group are so supportive and it has a lovely, community feel. It has not only encouraged me to take up a hobby I love after so many years, but encouraged me to socialise, make friends, build my confidence as an artist and helped me use my art as a therapeutic distraction from life. So glad I decided to join, worth every penny." Leanne A.
"I am delighted to have joined the Flourish School Nurture Group. Mel has created a really special environment which is nurturing, encouraging and most important of all is comprised of friendly, supportive and creative members. Really, what else could you ask for in an art group?!" Philip P.
"I have not painted for 25 years due to work and child responsibilities. The Nurture Art Group has been great for me. Melanie and the group are so supportive and it has a lovely, community feel. It has not only encouraged me to take up a hobby I love after so many years, but encouraged me to socialise, make friends, build my confidence as an artist and helped me use my art as a therapeutic distraction from life. So glad I decided to join, worth every penny." Leanne A.
"Just wanted to say thank you for Sat morning art. After having to spend the lesson at home and being constantly interrupted, it makes me appreciate the freedom you have provided me...I'm loving the group, so much creative energy." Sarah
"Thank you Mel. Encouraging / inspirational words. After a couple of years of having a mental block, seeking a diversion/distraction rather than sitting down and creating, joining your group is my first step on rediscovering my love of art. Had fun yesterday and dreamt of painting last night!" Maggie I.
"as a beginner taking on the challenge of art for the first time, the Nurture Group has been such a supportive and safe place to try a new challenge. I've found inspiration amongst a wonderful group of people with encouragement from Mel." Alison M.
"I'm really appreciating the group you have put together....so much positive chat and sharing ideas...really motivating, which is definitely what I need so that I keep practising." Paula M.
"Thank you Mel! So great having you as a mentor, been a bit of a rubbish week for me art wise so it was so lovely coming and solely focusing on art with such a supportive group of people...truly special environment to be amongst artists making art. It's a truly magical space being amongst artists, didn't realise how much I'd missed it, feels like coming home after a long trip away." Eleanor B.
The art course is run in a large room in Portfield Community Hall in Christchurch, Dorset.
The Nurture Group is for Artists in the Christchurch, Dorset area. We meet at Portfield Community Hall each Saturday morning from 9.30 to 11.30am.
Covid Safety
There is hand sanitiser provided at the entrance to the hall. The course numbers allow for lots of space between group members and windows run all along the side of the room.
Portfield Close, Christchurch, BH23 2AH, United Kingdom
Henri Matisse
Vincent Van Gogh
Pablo Picasso