Let's Talk About Death: Workshop Discovery Day

Wendy Pye and Dagmara Rudkin (Luna Arts) invite you to a day of exploration and experimentation. The workshop is suitable for any adult seeking a supportive space to engage in open conversations about death, dying, and remembrance. At the workshop the artists will develop and test workshop ideas as part of an ongoing investigation into how creative approaches can ease anxiety and inspire meaningful discussions on these important topics.

As noted in the Institute for Policy Research brief Death, Dying & Devolution, “Avoiding death leaves us vulnerable and unprepared, which can adversely affect our mental health.” With support from an Arts Council grant, Luna Arts is launching a year-long research and development programme to develop workshops that use creative activities to challenge avoidance, encourage dialogue, and promote a more thoughtful approach to mortality.

During this day and throughout the residency, Luna Arts will collaborate with academics in death studies, funeral industry professionals, and creatives exploring death-related themes (see list below). This day provides Wendy and Dagmara with an opportunity to refine their ideas, gather feedback, and develop future collaborations, including support for hospice outreach programmes.

The workshops will take place across three sessions Morning, afternoon, and evening.

Each session will offer 3-4 creative activities designed to explore your relationship with death, dying, and remembrance. Topics will include remembrance and legacy, living wakes, end-of-life planning, grave goods, and shrouds as alternatives to coffins.

Participants are also welcome to book multiple sessions, as each session will feature a different selection of activities. Booking more that one session therefore offers a deeper and more varied experience.

Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available throughout the day, along with breakout spaces for reflection and conversation.

As you might expect, we’ll be talking about death during this day - a lot! This can bring up big feelings, and that’s completely okay. However, please remember to care for yourself in whatever way feels right. Participate at the level that feels best for you, you know yourself best, so be kind to your heart as we navigate these conversations together.