Wild Willow Art Club: Bespoke Seed Packets

In this hands-on workshop, children will explore the fascinating world of seeds and their vital role in nature. The session begins with a guided walk through the OmVed Gardens, where children will observe various seed heads, learning about the plant life cycle and the importance of seeds. The adventure continues with a visit to OmVed’s new Seed Library, where they’ll discover how we save and store seeds and share them through our Seed Saving Network.

Next, it’s time to get creative! Children will learn the basics of origami, folding paper into seed packet envelopes using a variety of papers and techniques, without the need for cuts or glue. They’ll select seeds from OmVed’s garden, blending their own custom mix. Each child will personalize their packet with their chosen seeds, adding creative designs and planting instructions to take home.

The crafting table will be stocked with everything children need to make their seed packets unique—pressed flowers, nature-based inks, and natural printing blocks. By the end of the session, children will have crafted seed packets to gift, plant, and grow their own harvest.

The session concludes with a visit to the compost area, where children will learn about composting and how seeds can survive the process if not properly managed.

The Wild Willow Art Club is designed for children aged 6 to 12, with each child requiring an accompanying adult. Sessions will take place both indoors and outdoors, so please dress children comfortably in clothes that can get messy with art materials. The garden can be cold or muddy, so layers and sturdy footwear are recommended.

There is a maximum group size of up to 16 attendees for our willow art sessions.

3 Top Skills Children Will Learn

• Creative Design:
  Children will develop personalized seed packet designs, experimenting with patterns, colors, and natural elements to create unique, artistic envelopes.
  

• Seed Saving Knowledge:
  Children will gain an understanding of seed varieties, the importance of seed saving, and how seeds contribute to gardening and ecosystems.

• Origami Fundamentals:
  Children will learn the basics of paper folding, creating functional and artistic seed packet envelopes without the need for cuts or glue.

About the host:

Corrie Wingate is an artist and arts facilitator based in North London.

After traveling across Africa as a documentary photographer and developing a passion for community arts, she founded Kids Create Kenya, an art centre and artist residency at a children’s home on Lamu Island. Now in its 11th year, the centre provides a creative space where children and young adults can express themselves through art.

Since 2020, Corrie has been part of the garden and kitchen team at Omved, where she now facilitates nature-based art programs for children and adults, helping others connect with creativity and the natural world.

@corriewingate @kidscreatekenya

About OmVed Gardens:

OmVed Gardens is a garden, exhibition, events, and learning space in North London dedicated to exploring the connections between food, ecology and creativity for health and climate resilience. We are on a mission to inspire ecological awareness and action, and deepen our understanding of interconnectedness with the natural world.

As a registered Community Interest Company, all our activities prioritise social and ecological objectives. Whether collaborating with chefs, creatives, gardeners, or schools, OmVed Gardens is a hub for education, connection, and action. We aim to inspire individuals and communities to reimagine their role in building a healthier, more resilient world.

We work to increase biodiversity - of species, seeds, food systems, and participation, through regenerative gardening, seed saving, habitat creation, and ecological education. Our space serves as a living example of how urban areas can be transformed into thriving ecosystems that support both human and non-human communities.

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Subsidised Tickets: We have a few reserved tickets at a subsidised rate. If this workshop is not monetarily accessible, please write to us at events@omvedgardens.com to avail yourself of a subsidised ticket rate. Subject to availability.

Refund Policy: Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases where a waiting list exists for the session. If the event is sold out, a refund may be considered if requested up to 10 days prior to the session date. Please write to us for any refund inquiries.