Rediscover your creativity through playful, guided art exercises in a kind, supportive space. Three sessions, with all materials supplied.

Dates: Fridays 4, 11 and 18 December 2026

Time: 10am–1pm each Friday

Venue: Emergence Commons, 1 Kendrick Street, Stroud GL5 1AQ

Price: £90 for the complete three-week course

Age: 16+

About the course

Bad Art is about allowing ourselves access to our innate creativity and curiosity to make art without judgement.

Would you love to draw or paint but feel you can’t? Perhaps you think you have no creative talent, feel out of practice, or simply want more opportunities to play.

Join Nicola for three mornings of creative exploration, with encouragement, guidance and no pressure to produce a perfect result.

What will we do?

After a brief introduction to Bad Art, Nicola will guide you through exercises designed to loosen you up and get your creative juices flowing.

Each session follows a similar structure, helping you practise letting go of rational thinking and making space for your creativity to lead. Guidance and options will help you explore where to take your inspiration next.

A free-flowing tangent or a slow-moving sailboat: all speeds are welcome.

Who is it for?

Anyone aged 16 or over who wants to:

Explore new ways of making art.

Build confidence in their creativity.

Rediscover curiosity and play.

Create in a kind, supportive space.

No previous art experience is needed.

Across the three weeks, you’ll have opportunities to:

Access your creativity and have fun.

Experience making art for the enjoyment of the process.

Explore how creativity helps you feel more alive.

Discover where you’d like to take your creativity next.

About Nicola

Nicola Damery wanted to go to art college when she left school, but received the message: “What’s the point in that…?”

She became a nurse, holistic massage therapist and then Forest School Leader. Working with children helped her recognise the importance of play for humans of every age.

She discovered Bad Art in 2021 and is passionate about sharing its benefits with others.

What previous participants have said

“A fun, playful workshop that nurtures creativity — thoughtful and insightful — with ideas to carry forward.”

“It's an experience to forget your usual reaction to making art and take on play.”

Description supplied by the event organiser.