Claudia Monteith is Cedar

Facilitation

Courses and workshops that provide creative inspiration and a sense of well being.

I have been a group facilitator for fifteen years, and have led a variety of courses in creative writing, art, crafts and textiles, always with an emphasis on connecting to one’s inner playfulness and finding one’s unique expression, rather than fitting into prescribed methods or techniques. For six years I ran a course based on the popular creative recovery book – ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron. I specialise in working with people who feel creatively stuck or lack confidence, helping people get in touch with their flow and sense of creative purpose.

I also have 17 years experience as a co-counsellor, and have led co-counselling support groups for the BAME community on internalised racism and liberation.

Below is a list of current courses and workshops that work in person or online.

Creative Writing Courses/Workshops

Saturday Writing Group

At The Studio Upstairs

This small, informal and friendly writing group meet at Bristol’s ‘Studio Upstairs’, which is an arts and health studio for artists with mental/emotional issues. The group is open to everyone, not just studio members.

I have been the group's facilitator for the last nine years. I provide a different writing exercise each time for people to try, but things are always flexible and people follow their own direction if they prefer. Different themes are explored, including free-writing, personal inquiry, poetry, and topic led prose. There’s opportunity to share writing at the end of the time, but no pressure to do so.

We meet once a fortnight on Saturdays between 11am – 1pm.

Please contact me directly if you are interested.

£2.50 for studio members

£5.00 for non-members. (Flexible for those on low income.)

The Write Way

‘Every blade of grass has its angel

That bends over it and whispers

“grow, grow.”’

- The Talmud

This 6 week online course is for anyone who wants to develop a deeper and more authentic relationship to their writing. It is for writers who feel stuck or disconnected from their process, and also for beginners who yearn to establish a writing practice but are not sure how to go ahead. The course takes elements from Julia Cameron’s book: ‘The Artist’s Way’, but is tailored specifically for writers.

Together, wherever we are on our path, using gentle meditation, listening and writing exercises, we will find our inspiration and face our fears. We will begin to deepen our access to our true writer-selves, and to what I call our ‘authentic poetry’. We will get to redefine ‘success’, not in terms of how well we are able to fit into society’s ideals, but by our unique ability to align and commit whole-heartedly to our true purpose.

The next opportunity to join this course will be in April, 2023 starting on the 22nd, run by Inscribe, and specifically for writers of colour.

Link -https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inscribe-the-write-way-ii-tickets-609172550497

The Sacred Journal Practice

I believe the art of Journaling can be both a creative and spiritual practice. This course will explore different avenues into journaling that help bring you closer to your own unique creative and spiritual practice, through listening, meditation exercises and direct conversation with spirit.

Can run as a day workshop or a 4 week ongoing course.

Writing Your Life

It is easy to dismiss the idea of writing about your own life as self-indulgent or mundane. Not many of us are encouraged to honour our experience, especially if we are working-class or come from marginalised communities. This can rob us of rich and rewarding writing opportunities.

During this course, participants experiment with various exercises that approach life-writing in different ways. In the act of sharing within the support of the group, participants learn to value their experience and the writing possibilities it has to offer.

Can run as a day workshop or a 4 week ongoing course.

Art/Craft/Collage Courses/Workshops

All the following courses put a strong emphasis on using recycled materials wherever possible.

A Book Of One's Own

Book-making has increased in recent years, with traditional and rigid techniques opening up to more playful methods. More and more, it is being recognised that to make a book is an opportunity to explore creative ideas in a multi-faceted way that is very exciting and seems to have no limits.

This course offers an opportunity to play with paper in one of the most satisfying ways. Using simple techniques, with just a little folding and cutting, you can make a simple book of your very own. The question is then – what to put in it?

Words or pictures or both? A story to tell? Or a place to keep a list of favourite things? Dreams, secrets, musings, collages, doodles. A place to keep pictures, collect stuff and remind ourselves that life is good and beauty is everywhere.

We will look at themes to inspire, and there will be plenty of decorative papers and pictures to collage with. You can also bring your own.

Can run as a day workshop or a 4 week ongoing course.

Scales & Feathers

In this workshop we will make fish and birds from recycled materials. I provide a selection of fish and bird templates to copy and cut out, but participants are welcome to make their own.

The fun starts with decorating the templates, using recycled food wrappers, papers or fabrics, cutting out fins and feathers and making beautiful designs.

This workshop is very accessible and only requires simple cutting and sticking with very satisfying results.