Creative Health Series

A new programme of workshops and events for postgraduate students and staff.

Join us for a year-long journey of six workshops, and an exhibition, led by artists from varying creative backgrounds.

Through three core themes, we’ll explore how creative practices can boost health and wellbeing:

  • Flow Theory – will focus on flow state principles coined by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, which involves being immersed in an activity to promote the perfect balance of enjoyment focus.
  • Community – will explore how art sessions can enhance social connection, reduce loneliness and isolation, increasing health benefits.
  • Sustainability – will observe the benefits of engaging with nature for mental wellbeing and physical health.

Each workshop invites you to engage with a different hands-on activity, including clay, drawing, working with nature, textiles, working in both indoor and outdoor settings. Designed for postgraduate students (PGT and doctoral researchers) and university staff of all creative abilities, these sessions will explore the impact creative health can have.

The Creative Health Series is curated by Gussi Philippou.

Upcoming events

Part of a wicker basket containing grass and dandelions can be seen up close in the top left corner. Alongside this is a yellow leaflet which says 'Fruit Routes map and Guide to Foraging on Campus'

Fruit Routes Walk & Garden Mudra

Friday 9 May,12-2pm

Join artist Mita Solanky for a walk around the Fruit Routes orchards on campus followed by an artist-led meditation session in the Barefoot Orchard.

Gussi Philippou

Gussi is an interdisciplinary researcher and designer, who focuses on creative health, exploring the ways arts, culture, and creativity can enhance physical and mental health.  She is currently completing a PhD that evaluates the effectiveness of community-based textile workshops as a health intervention for older adults with dementia, exploring how hands-on sessions can support cognitive, behavioural and emotional health.

With a background in textile design, specialising in screen print and embroidery; She initially worked in the fashion industry before focusing on designing and delivering creative learning activities.  She now works as an artist researcher, in parallel to her PhD.  Designing and facilitating events with charities, community organisations, art studios, and further education institutions, to facilitate creative, community-based workshops which explore the impact of creative health on individuals and communities.

Past events

Three events have taken place in the series so far.

Flow & Form: An Introduction to Hand-Building in Clay 
Wednesday 20 November, 6-8pm

Ceramicist Holly Reed led a beginner-friendly workshop exploring the core techniques of hand-building with clay, which included pinching, slab building and coiling. 

Drawing the Body in Motion
Wednesday 26 February, 12-2pm 

Rachel Gadsden-Hayton guided participants through a series of drawing exercises that gave them the opportunity to relax, have fun and be creatively expressive. Using charcoal, pencil, chalks on small and large format paper, at each stage Rachel demonstrated how to make exciting drawings. Participants drew on their own and contributed to a large-scale collective drawing.

Table Method Drawing Workshop
Wednesday 26 March, 12-2pm 

Artist and researcher Dr. Yonat Nitzan-Green introduced participants to the 'table method' of drawing. Sitting around a table covered in paper and drawing tools, participants listened to a slow, out loud reading a text which was the starting point for conversations, followed by guided meditation and drawing.