Exploring Creativity To Improve Your Wellbeing
Why it’s good to spend time on exploring your creative side….
It’s A Fact!
In May 2019 BBC Arts published a piece of research, the “Great British Creativity Test” which surveyed 50,000 people about which creative activities they took part in. Researchers identified three key ways that creativity is used:
- as a ‘distraction tool’ to avoid stress
- as a ‘contemplation tool’, creating the mental space to reassess problems and make plans
- and for ‘self development’, building self-esteem and confidence.
Encountering new creative activities – regardless of the level of skill involved – was found to have a particularly positive impact on emotions and wellbeing.
Lockdown Exploration
Many of us found ourselves turning to creative pursuits over the last 18 months as lockdowns kept us in our homes and with time on our hands. As this article from The Guardian in November 2020 notes “Pinterest…had a 130% increase in viewings in the UK of “how to” videos for sewing gifts; a 115% increase for crochet gifts; and a 40% increase in searches for “how to make DIY gifts for friends”.
New Businesses Emerging
Many artists and makers found the space to develop their practice during the last 18 months including Robyn Weldon, one of the artists in the Inspire Makers portfolio of over 50 small creative businesses.
Robyn is an art teacher who started painting for herself in the March 2020 lockdown and has since exhibited extensively in and around the Falmouth area, including at The Terrace Gallery, Penryn and The Poly, Falmouth. An exhibition of her latest work “Discoveries” will be in the Inspire Makers gallery space on Tues 24 August to Sat 4 September and shows a new playfulness in her work.
Robyn says “ The lockdown gave me the opportunity and time to really connect with my creative brain. It allowed me to consider, assess and explore my creativity and artistic process in an unprecedented way. The lockdown closed most things, it slowed down our lives, yet came with it the beginning of new pathways of exploration, new ideas, new skills learned, and new therapies discovered – all through the making of art”.
No Experience Is Required!
The original ethos behind setting up Inspire Makers was to share the story of local artists and makers, encourage exploration of the artistic process, and spread the joy of creating.
I am delighted that our workshop programme is finally getting off the ground, with a wide range of workshops now available to book. These “kitchen table” based classes, require no previous experience and are designed to inspire you to find your own creative path. The kitchen table is where most makers start after all!
Classes will be held by artists and makers showcased in the shop, offering you a chance to learn more about them, what inspires them and what they create. Come and join the workshop community and learn new skills with like-minded people. See the full programme here.
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