10-Week Therapeutic Art Program

Watercolours, Wellbeing & Steiner-Inspired Creativity

This gentle and enriching 10-week program invites participants to explore watercolour painting through a Steiner-inspired approach, where rhythm, repetition, and creative flow form the foundation of each session.

Rooted in therapeutic principles, this program supports participants through various stages of life — offering art as a tool for reflection, healing, and personal growth. Sessions are thoughtfully designed to build fine motor skills, encourage mindfulness, and foster social connection in a calm, supportive environment.

Each week, participants will:

Engage in guided watercolour exercises using soft, flowing techniques

Experience the calming effects of rhythmic, repeated movement

Explore themes that resonate with personal growth and emotional wellbeing

Enjoy meaningful social interaction and a sense of community

This program is ideal for individuals seeking a creative outlet to support their wellbeing — whether navigating life transitions, managing stress, or simply looking to reconnect with themselves through art.

No prior art experience is needed. Just bring an open heart and a willingness to explore.

Creative Workshops for Preschoolers & Their Carers

Interactive • Educational • Hands-On Fun

These engaging, hands-on workshops are thoughtfully designed for preschool-aged children and their carers, combining creative exploration with early learning principles in a fun, supportive environment.

Each session offers:

Interactive art experiences that encourage curiosity and imagination

Educational activities that support fine motor skills, sensory development, and early literacy

Opportunities for connection and bonding between children and their carers through shared creativity

A calm, welcoming space where children can explore at their own pace

Using a variety of materials and techniques, little artists are free to create, experiment, and express themselves while learning through play.

Perfect for parents, grandparents, and caregivers wanting to engage meaningfully with their young ones while supporting development through art.

No experience needed — just bring your imagination!

Creative Workshops for Parents & Babies

Connection • Expression • Empowerment Through Art

These unique workshops are designed to support parents with babies in the early stages of parenthood — offering a space to pause, connect, and create.

In a calm, welcoming environment, parents are gently guided through meaningful art-making experiences that explore the emotional journey of parenting. With babies by your side, you'll have the opportunity to reconnect with yourself, express your thoughts and feelings, and meet other parents navigating similar experiences.

Each session explores themes such as:

Parenthood and identity

Connection and community

Sleep and hormonal changes

Managing expectations

Navigating your sense of self

Normalising diverse parenting styles and experiences

These workshops are not about artistic skill — they’re about self-expression, reflection, and support, using art as a gentle therapeutic tool. They provide time for you, while honouring the reality of parenting — feeds, cuddles, cries, and all.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, inspired, isolated, or somewhere in between, this space is here to help you feel seen, heard, and creatively empowered.

No pressure. No judgement. Just creativity, connection, and care.

Wellbeing Workshops with a Creative Focus

Mental Health Themes • Guided Art • Personal Expression

These wellbeing workshops are designed to support mental health and emotional wellbeing through the therapeutic power of art. Each session focuses on a specific mental health theme, offering a safe and supportive space for participants to explore, express, and reflect.

Participants are gently guided through art techniques to create meaningful designs — with the option to follow step-by-step guidance or work intuitively at their own pace. No art experience is necessary.

Themes may include:

Anxiety and stress management

Building resilience and self-compassion

Self-esteem and body image

Identity and personal growth

Setting healthy boundaries

Grief, loss, and emotional healing

Recovery and life transitions

Art becomes a bridge for expression, allowing participants to externalise thoughts and emotions, build insight, and gain tools for self-care — all in a calm, creative environment.

These workshops are suitable for individuals, support groups, schools, community organisations, or workplaces seeking evidence-informed, creative approaches to mental health support.

Create. Reflect. Connect. Heal — one brushstroke at a time.

Community Arts Workshops

Creative Programs Tailored for Your Group

These workshops are thoughtfully designed to meet the unique creative needs of local community groups — offering a space where people can come together, express themselves, and connect through art.

Each session is customised to suit the group’s interests, abilities, and goals, whether the focus is on wellbeing, skill development, social connection, or simply the joy of creating.

Understanding Behaviours Workshops

For Schools, Parents & Organisations

These practical, insight-driven workshops are designed to support schools, parents, and organisations in developing a deeper understanding of behaviours of concern — and how to respond with empathy, clarity, and effective strategies.

Drawing on extensive experience as both a Behaviour Specialist and Educator, these sessions combine professional expertise with real-world understanding. Workshops are interactive and informative, offering tools and perspectives that can be immediately applied in classrooms, homes, or care environments.

Topics can include:

Understanding the why behind behaviours

Supporting children and young people with emotional or behavioural needs

Trauma-informed and neuro-affirming approaches

Practical behaviour support strategies

Co-regulation and emotional safety

Writing and implementing support plans

Classroom and group management tools

Each workshop is tailored to suit the specific needs of your group — whether you're a school team, parent group, early childhood setting, or community organisation.

Empower your team with knowledge, confidence, and compassion.
Together, we can support better outcomes for the children and individuals in your care.

Mother & Daughter Creative Workshops

Connect • Create • Reconnect

These special workshops are designed to bring mothers and daughters together in a safe, supportive space where creativity becomes the bridge to deeper connection and mutual understanding.

Through guided art activities, participants will:

Explore their unique bond through creative expression

Learn more about each other’s perspectives and experiences

Reconnect, share, and celebrate their relationship

Have fun while discovering new ways to communicate and grow together

This workshop offers a relaxed environment where mothers and daughters can express themselves freely, build new memories, and evolve together through the creative process. It’s not about perfection — it’s about connection, expression, and enjoying the shared experience of creating something beautiful.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationship or simply share quality time together, this is the perfect space for mothers and daughters to explore their creativity side by side.

Nurture your bond, spark creativity, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Creative Workshops for Seniors

Connect • Create • Enjoy the Process

These uplifting workshops are specially designed for seniors, offering a gentle and engaging introduction to using art as a therapeutic tool. Participants are guided through a variety of creative activities that focus not on the final product, but on the joy of the process, connection, and self-expression.

Whether learning a new skill or revisiting a long-lost passion, each session is an opportunity to:

Explore a range of art materials and techniques

Build confidence in a relaxed, supportive environment

Share stories and laughter through creative expression

Celebrate individuality and the joy of creating together

These workshops offer a balance of structure and freedom, allowing participants to follow step-by-step guidance or simply enjoy the act of making. It’s not about being “good at art” — it’s about enjoying the moment, connecting with others, and keeping minds and hands active.

Perfect for community centres, aged care homes, seniors' groups, or intergenerational programs.

Come for the creativity, stay for the connection — and leave with a smile.

Active Art at Community Festivals & Events

Interactive • Creative • Engaging

Active Art is proud to facilitate interactive, creative workshops at local community festivals and events, bringing people together through the power of art. These workshops are designed to engage participants of all ages and backgrounds, fostering creativity, connection, and fun.

Whether it's painting, drawing, clay work, or other hands-on activities, participants are invited to explore their creativity in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Our goal is to make art accessible to everyone, allowing each individual to express themselves and take home something uniquely their own.

Join us at upcoming community festivals and events to experience the joy of creative expression and social connection through art.

Active Art at The River of Art Festival

Creative Workshops & Open Exhibitions

Each year, Active Art is proud to offer creative workshops and open exhibitions as part of the River of Art Festival — an incredible community event that brings together creatives from across the region.

At the festival, Active Art not only provides hands-on workshops for all ages and abilities but also showcases the work of Ness Shannon, founder of Active Art. Ness presents a diverse collection of artwork across various mediums, including acrylics, oils, watercolours, mixed media, and more, offering a glimpse into her creative journey and artistic expression.

The River of Art Festival celebrates artistic exploration for everyone, whether you're just beginning or an experienced artist. Our workshops encourage creative growth, while the exhibitions highlight the talents of local artists, fostering a vibrant sense of community.

Join us for a celebration of creativity, connection, and local talent at this inspiring event — where art is for everyone.

Active Art Retreats & Custom Workshops

Active Art offers specially designed workshops to suit the unique theme of your retreat, ensuring that each creative experience aligns with your group’s needs and goals. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, wellness retreat, or community gathering, we’ll work with you to create a meaningful, art-focused experience that supports connection, reflection, and personal growth.

In addition to custom workshops, Active Art also facilitates Art and Wellbeing Retreats — the perfect opportunity to unwind, reconnect, and explore in a safe, supportive, and guided environment. These retreats are all about taking time for yourself: you’ll have space to relax, create, and reflect, while immersing yourself in the therapeutic power of art.

From mindfulness-based art-making to creative exploration, these retreats provide a nurturing environment to explore your creativity, support your wellbeing, and deepen your connection to yourself and others.

Whether you’re seeking relaxation, personal growth, or simply a creative escape, Active Art offers the perfect retreat experience.