Creative therapies practitioner, lecturer, illustrator and designer Deborah Withey, who runs Henry Hedgepodge Academy of Art on the second floor of the Green Shed at Merlin’s bridge, is excited to announce the re-opening of the academy on 26th August with the launch of some innovative clay therapy sessions.
Deborah says that during the lockdowns she decided to continue her professional development and found her work with clay benefited her in a way that made her want to share it with others.
“I gained so much relief with my own emotional health during this time working with clay that I wanted to offer the same benefits to others.”
It is something which she is really passionate about and which she wants to offer to adults and children at the academy as one-to -one sessions as well as weekend workshops.
Deborah says that she wants her students to be able to express themselves freely, whichever way they want that to be.
“The focus will be about the process not the result. The tactile, physical process of kneading the clay. There may be someone coming to me who is having chemotherapy treatment, or someone who is feeling low and wants to find a way to express themselves. Although I can help guide them if they want to produce something in particular, the outcome isn’t important.”
There will be two levels of sessions available to adults and children. One will focus only on the process and the experience of the clay therapy, she says
“They can come and immerse themselves.”
While another will give those taking part the opportunity to produce a clay bowl which will then be illustrated. This gives the person taking the session or workshop, the chance to tailor the experience to themselves and their needs.
Deborah also says that she wants to focus on the materials used and limit the amount of equipment or facilities needed. While there are benefits to using materials such as playdough in some settings (perhaps working with children), she has found better, cleaner alternatives.
“I’ve sourced a beautiful type of clay. It dries in the air, so there is no need for firing. It feels really good and doesn’t have the heavy smell that you get with other clays like plasticine.”
There is also the plan to work in an outdoor space with natural materials.
“I am looking to work with natural materials from the estuary and to eventually hold workshops outside.”
When talking about re opening and re-inventing her work space at the Green Shed in Haverfordwest, Deborah notes the importance of noting the before and after, in a world that has changed so much.
“We all need rejuvenating and re energising. I’m going to take before and after photos of my work space.”
This is just as she talks of encouraging her students to take photographs of their clay creations before they remould it into something else. She says it is important to keep the memory alive and re-imagining.
The Henry Hedgepodge Academy of Art to be open from Tuesday to Thursday from 2pm-5pm, offering one to one sessions of creative therapies, including clay therapies for both children and adults. Online creative therapies will continue via Zoom for those who wish to meet virtually.
In October, Deborah will be running small group clay therapy workshops over a series of 4 weekends.
To find out more and to discuss how creative therapies might be right for you or someone you care for, message Deborah directly at cheesepicklesstudio@gmail.com or phone 07572 025 413
