Connect with Nature Retreat - John Storer House

A Creative Retreat-in-a-day

Join artist Liz Waddell and writer Alison Mott as we think about and explore the glory of nature under our noses in the parks and streets around us.

The day’s activities:

A short (optional) walk through Queens Park followed by time inside painting, drawing and writing creatively.

Our activities are suitable for people of all levels of skills and ability and art and writing materials will be provided, though experienced creators are welcome to bring their own.

We'll round off the day with a short reflection before returning to the everyday world.

Refreshments and Lunch

Tea, coffee, water and juices will be available throughout the day.

Bring a packed lunch or pick up something up from John Storer’s own cafe.

Venue:

John Storer House in the centre of Loughborough with access nearby to parking and local buses. (Note: a small amount of parking is available at John Storer itself but spaces cannot be guaranteed).

The centre is a friendly, comfortable space, with good access (stairs and a lift).

About the facilitators:

Liz Waddell is an award-winning freelance artist and illustrator with a degree in Fine and Applied Art from the University of Ulster, Belfast. With a lifelong passion for wildflowers, trees and animals, Liz’s nature-themed visual art is vibrant with glorious colour. She leads monthly nature-inspired art sessions for her local community eco hub and works alongside Wild Things Keyworth to promote knowledge of Britain’s wildlife and encourage people to look after it.

Alison Mott is a writer, community arts practitioner and storyteller who supports people of all ages and experience to write the stories they want to tell. She leads story-sharing activities in community settings, online writing activities for the Royal Voluntary Service’s Virtual Village Hall and teaches a creative writing night class at Loughborough University.

Liz and Alison have known and worked together for many years. In 2018, they co-created the picture book ‘Songster, Loughborough’s Own War Horse’ for the Carillon Museum and in Autumn 2024, ran art and writing activities with communities across Charnwood for the My Jewellery, My Story project, collecting stories and artwork for an exhibition held at Charnwood Museum in Spring 2025.