Creative wellbeing for Whittlesey - free art boxes and workshops launch to support mental health

Spearheaded by 20Twenty Productions CIC and supported by the Fenland Cultural Partnership, Express Yourself: Art In A Box offers free, artist-designed activity kits and inclusive creative workshops.

The Art In A Box initiative aims to help people reconnect with their community and improve their mental health through creativity, as well as create opportunities to engage with art and local artists.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from Fenland District Council and the UK: Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.

What's inside the Art Boxes?

Each Art Box is packed with high-quality art materials and easy-to-follow instructions, with a link to an exclusive video tutorial by one of six talented local artists. Participants can explore a variety of accessible art forms, including:

• Printing
• Sewing and weaving
• Art journalling
• Sketching and drawing

Where can I get an Art Box?

Art Boxes are available free of charge and can be collected from a network of trusted community partners in Whittlesey, including:

• The Jenner Health Centre
• New Queen Street Surgery
• Helping Whittlesey Food Hub
• Coates Community Living Room
• Whittlesey Hang Out
• Phoenix Youth Club
• Whittlesey Emergency Food Bank
• Whittlesey Baptist Church

Residents are encouraged to reach out to these organisations to request a box for themselves or someone they know who may benefit.

Workshops

2 June - 10am-12pm
Blackwork Embroidery Sampler with Sarah Hall
Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey, PE7 1AY

Introduction to Blackwork Embroidery for beginners and experienced stitchers alike.

12 June - 10am-12pm
Drawing with Pencil: Pencils - Shades of Grey with Richard Savage
Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey, PE7 1AY

Basics of light and shade in pencil drawing. All levels welcome.

14 June - 10.30am-12.30pm
Printed Leaf Zine: Making Your Own Colour Palette with Peggy Mends
St Andrew's Parish Hall, Parkinsons Lane, PE7 1BZ

Exploring colour using magazines, swatches, textures, and paints.

18 June - 6.30pm-8.30pm
Blackwork Embroidery Sampler with Sarah Hall
Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey, PE7 1AY

Continuation/introduction to Blackwork Embroidery.

25 June - 4pm-6pm
Printed Leaf Zine: Gelli Plate Printing with Colour, Nature & Image with Peggy Mends
St Andrew's Parish Hall, Parkinsons Lane, PE7 1BZ

Experimenting with Gelli printing using colour, pattern, and natural objects.

10 July - 12.30pm-2.30pm
Art Journaling for Wellbeing: Making Junk Journals with Marian Savill
Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey, PE7 1AY

Create unique art journals using recycled materials.

12 July - 10.30am-12.30pm
Tiny Treasures: Playful Postcards with Moira Millman
St Andrew's Parish Hall, Parkinsons Lane, PE7 1BZ

Stencilling, stamping, and printing to create a set of colourful postcards.

14 July - 10am-12pm
Drawing with Pencil: Pencils 2 - Adding Colour with Richard Savage
Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey, PE7 1AY

Drawing with coloured pencils, focusing on colour basics and development.

18 July - 1.30pm-3.30pm
Tiny Treasures: Explore and Draw with Moira Millman
St Andrew's Parish Hall, Parkinsons Lane, PE7 1BZ

Observational drawing using graphite and coloured pencils.

26 July - 10am-12pm
Art Journaling for Wellbeing: Art Journaling Inspiration with Marian Savill
Peel House, 8 Queen Street, Whittlesey, PE7 1AY

Techniques to enhance and add unique elements to your art journals.

Book your place

To book your free place on a workshop, email to: katherine@20twentyproductions.co.uk

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June 2025