In this session, children will create their own concertina sketchbook, perfect for continuous storytelling. Inspired by the vibrant summer hues of OmVed Gardens, they will begin by foraging for colourful petals, leaves, and natural materials, guided by the colour wheel. As they explore, they’ll learn to forage mindfully, ensuring they leave enough for the garden’s pollinators.
Children will study the garden's colour palette, discovering how hues blend and interact in nature. Using the concertina format, they’ll craft seamless colour transitions and collages, telling their own story of OmVed’s summer garden. The creative process begins with a playful “walk” of willow charcoal across the pages, capturing the flowing lines of the garden’s horizon.
With their collected materials, children will bring their sketchbooks to life using paints, pastels, and foraged finds. They’ll press flowers into the pages, create collages, and weave natural textures like sisal threads to add depth. They’ll also learn to cut windows into their pages, offering glimpses into hidden details and creating a dynamic visual narrative.
To conclude, we’ll visit the compost area to explore the difference between organic and non-compostable materials, discovering how waste is transformed into nutrient-rich soil for our garden.
The Wild Willow Art Club is designed for children aged 6 to 12, with each child requiring an accompanying adult. Sessions will take place both indoors and outdoors, so please dress children comfortably in clothes that can get messy with art materials. The garden can be hot, cold or muddy, so layers and sturdy footwear are recommended.
There is a maximum group size of up to 16 attendees for our willow art sessions.
3 Top Skills Children will learn
Observation:
Children will develop attention to detail and learn to follow instructions while creating their concertina sketchbook.Cutting & Crafting:
Enhancing fine motor skills, children will use scissors for cutting windows and create collages to personalize their sketchbooks.Layering & Textural Design:
Children will learn to combine textures through techniques like pressing flowers and weaving materials, fostering creativity and an understanding of depth in visual composition.
The Full Programme
A bundle booking of all five Wild Willow Art Club sessions can be made here. A multi-session discount applies.
Summer’s Colour Palette: Concertina Sketchbook – Sat 28 June, 10:30am - 12:15pm Details & Booking
Handcrafted Clay Vases & Wildflower Arranging – Sat 2 August, 10:30am - 12:15pm Details & Booking
Bespoke Seed Packets – Sat 27 September, 10:30am - 12:15pm Details & Booking
Autumn Lantern-Making – Sat 25 October, 3:00pm - 4:45pm Details & Booking
Winter Willow Decorations – Sat 22 November, 10:30am - 12:15pm Details & Booking
About the host:
Corrie Wingate is an artist and arts facilitator
based in North London.
After traveling across Africa as a documentary photographer and developing a passion for community arts, she founded Kids Create Kenya, an art centre and artist residency at a children’s home on Lamu Island. Now in its 11th year, the centre provides a creative space where children and young adults can express themselves through art.
Since 2020, Corrie has been part of the garden and kitchen team at Omved, where she now facilitates nature-based art programs for children and adults, helping others connect with creativity and the natural world.
@corriewingate @kidscreatekenya
About OmVed Gardens:
OmVed Gardens is a garden, exhibition, events, and learning space in North London dedicated to exploring the connections between food, ecology and creativity for health and climate resilience. We are on a mission to inspire ecological awareness and action, and deepen our understanding of interconnectedness with the natural world.
As a registered Community Interest Company, all our activities prioritise social and ecological objectives. Whether collaborating with chefs, creatives, gardeners, or schools, OmVed Gardens is a hub for education, connection, and action. We aim to inspire individuals and communities to reimagine their role in building a healthier, more resilient world.
We work to increase biodiversity - of species, seeds, food systems, and participation, through regenerative gardening, seed saving, habitat creation, and ecological education. Our space serves as a living example of how urban areas can be transformed into thriving ecosystems that support both human and non-human communities.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for tips from the garden and kitchen and hear about our upcoming activities:
https://omvedgardens.com/newsletter ;
Subsidised Tickets: We have a few reserved tickets at a subsidised rate. If this workshop is not monetarily accessible, please write to us at events@omvedgardens.com to avail yourself of a subsidised ticket rate. Subject to availability.
Refund Policy: Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases where a waiting list exists for the session. If the event is sold out, a refund may be considered if requested up to 10 days prior to the session date. Please write to us for any refund inquiries
