Plant & Play Workshops With Ellie Rodwell

Join Ellie Rodwell, one of our new Creative Health Associate Artists, for a series of workshops in the Stowmarket Library garden!These short, relaxed sessions will include simple and sensory gardening activities, and ways to consider rest and growth over winter. Suitable for children under 4 and accompanying guardians.Booking is required. These workshops are free to attend but spaces are limited. Please book one ticket per child attending - each child ticket also includes one accompanying adult.Week One (Thursday 15th October): Bulbs
We will start by looking at different flower bulbs and learning about how they grow. We will then find places to dig and plant them in the Library garden.Afterwards we will go inside and use clay to make our own imaginary bulbs, and write down things we'd like to nurture and grow over winter.Two sessions available:10:00 to 10:45
11:15 to 12:00Week Two (Thursday 22nd October): Flowers
We will start by looking at different seeds and flowers. We will explore how flowers, like parents, care for the next generation (seeds).We will then create seed balls using clay, compost and wildflower seeds, which participants can take home with them to plant. Afterwards we will go inside and use collage and drawing to make our own imaginary flowers, and write down ways we'd like to care for loved ones of other generations.Two sessions available:10:00 to 10:45
11:15 to 12:00What to expect:
Each session will start with a guided gardening activity and some learning about plants. This will be outside in the garden, so please bring warm clothes to keep you dry and comfortable. There are toilets to wash hands after touching soil and clay. We will be outside for 20 minutes.We will then move inside the library to do a gentle creative activity. All materials will be provided. There is no expectation to share what you make if you don't want to, and it is fine to use the time to create something different if that works for you and the child you are supporting. This period will last 20 minutes, and then we will end the session.About Ellie:
Ellie Rodwell is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Suffolk and one of the new Creative Health Associate artists at Suffolk Community Libraries. She explores our relationship to the environment through casting, drawing, painting and installation.Recent projects connect communities with gardening and creativity, highlighting how it can benefit our health and connectedness.