Friendly, inclusive drawing workshops that support creativity, nature-connectedness and wellbeing
Draw Plants Together workshops are an opportunity to experiment with drawing in conversation with nature in a supportive, inclusive, gently social space.
Draw Plants Together hosts workshops in collaboration with community groups, organisations, schools and local councils, indoors and outdoors in urban and rural settings.
The initiative has been running since 2023, and has a special focus on making a contribution in the space of community-led ecological restoration.
Draw Plants Together workshops offer supportive conditions to befriend creative process.
Activities involve experimentation, are more about process than outcome, and invite reflection around the experiences of drawing, individually and in the context of the group.
Drawing is something we can do at any age to feel more connected to nature, to ourselves and to each other. It’s a simple way to get in touch with our senses and take a break from screens.
And it can also be challenging to draw – to get back into drawing or to keep going with drawing.
The workshops are a supportive, inclusive, shared space for time with drawing, in conversation with nature.
creative process
draw
“This is the most fun and least intimidating time I've ever had drawing”
– participant, Glenroy Library Makerspace
“The activities were freeing and relaxing and removed the need to be ‘good’ or judgmental about my drawing”
– participant, St Kilda Botanical Gardens for Victorian Seniors Week
plants
At the heart of Draw Plants Together workshops are experiences of nature-connectedness.
Feeling connected to nature has been shown to be beneficial for health and wellbeing, and essential in developing a personal ethic of care.
Experiences of connection with nature, unmediated by technology, are becoming less frequent but are fundamental in turning towards nature at a time of massive changes in climate, biodiversity and life systems.
The drawing workshops encourage nature-connectedness though a sensory, embodied approach to drawing and through centring relationships with local ecologies and place.
Draw Plants Together has a special focus on ecological restoration efforts and offers workshops in collaboration with community groups, organisations and local councils active in this space.
nature-connectedness
“The workshop was brilliant. I feel calmer, and really enjoyed being outside, getting to notice the smaller things, and the plants in the grassland”
– participant, Cherry Street Grassland Reserve
“Was lovely to spend time with the river and contemplate, through mark-making, how important it is to the life of this place (and us). Loved the quiet, slow pace and time to reflect”
– participant, 'drawing as conversation’, Birrarung Riverfest 2025
together
Draw Plants Together workshops are supportive, inclusive and gently social.
There’s always space for personal creative time and for sharing and reflecting together in small groups.
The workshops support people and community to get together around drawing and nature and spend time in a low-pressure, relaxing, creative space in conversation with nature and with each other.
The workshops always happen in collaboration, often with local council and community organisations, and each workshop is unique to its context.
relationship
“I really enjoyed the guided freedom that Craig provided in the session. It allowed our own expression while all working together”
– participant, Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve
“I loved the opportunity to share drawings in small groups”
– participant, Cherry Street Grassland Reserve
an inclusive space
Everyone of all ages, backgrounds, sexualities, genders, bodies and abilities is welcome
A respectful space for First Peoples
A respectful space for LGBTIQA+, non-binary and gender diverse people
I prioritise accessibility
Please let me know what you need for the workshops to be the best experience for you
Workshops are delivered in English unless co-facilitated or with an interpreter
English language support available on request
Workshops fees are by sliding scale and seek to be equitable
No fee for First Peoples
Please contact me if a workshop fee is a barrier to participation
Hi there :) My name’s Craig (he/him). I’ve hosted Draw Plants Together drawing workshops since 2023 to contribute my skills and experience across creativity and facilitation in the space of ecological care and well-being.
More about the facilitator >
workshop formats
I host weekly workshops called UNFURL at NECCHi East Coburg. These workshops focus on creative process.
I host monthly Saturday workshops at VINC Nursery. These workshops focus on the plants grown at the nursery and their importance in ecological restoration efforts.
Ongoing workshops
Indoor workshops are an opportunity to spend time up-close with plants.
Past examples: at Keon Park Children’s Hub; Art for All Abilities at SPAN Neighbourhood Centre; Merri-bek Libraries Makerspaces
Indoor workshops
Outdoor workshops
Drawing workshops can happen in any outdoor context, such at a community gardens, urban parkland or reserves.
Past examples: Cherry Street Grassland Reserve; as part of planting days with Darebin Creek Management Committee; as part of Birrarung Riverfest 2025
Workshops at festivals & community events
For all-day community events I usually offer workshops in a ‘drop-in’ format where people attending the event can come and go across the day.
Past examples: bunjil nganga Open Day; West Brunswick Community Garden Spring Festival
Full or multi-day workshops are an opportunity to spend time in a longer creative process together.
Past examples: 2 days of drawing including creek excursion with Cowwarr Primary School; 2 days with Merri Creek Primary along the Birrarung as part of their festival Connecting to Country: Water
Full-day & multi-day workshops
Both indoor and outdoor workshop formats suit team-building and other organisational activities.
Past examples: team-building with the Natural Systems Team at Mornington Peninsula Shire; as part of a two-team strategy day with Merri-bek Council
Workshops for teams & organisations
what people are saying
“I felt safe, supported and inspired to be creative and connect with plants. The best workshop I've taken”
– participant, 'Plant life queer life' with Bridge Queer Gathering for FUSE Darebin 2024
“I really enjoyed the session outside, particularly how the breeze and weather changed the way we worked”
– participant, St Kilda Botanical Gardens for Victorian Seniors Festival 2025
“We’re grateful to Craig for his generous collaboration and for helping bring attention to the beauty and significance of local native plants through art, inspiring deeper connection and care for the landscapes we share”
– Darebin Creek Management Committee, community planting days 2025
“As someone who doesn’t have a lot of art-making experience and who is pretty shy, this felt like a really gentle and inclusive space to grow more comfy and less in my head. Also, as an autistic person, this felt really accessible and low pressure”
– participant, Edendale Environment Farm 2025
“I felt so many moments of wonder and connection”
– participant, Cherry Street Grassland Reserve for the Great Southern BioBlitz 2025
“Draw Plants Together offers a form of relaxation, even meditation, ways of engaging with plants free of the pressure to ‘know already’, and ways to think about how we respond to climate change, injustice and species loss in ways that can support action rather than overwhelm to inaction”
– Liz Morrigan, participant at NECHHi 2024
join a workshop
Want to have a chat before signing up? Please get in touch – I’m happy to answer any questions.
book a workshop
If you’re interested in booking at Draw Plants Together workshop for your community or organisation, please get in touch!
I welcome opportunities to connect with others working in similar spaces and welcome collaboration and co-facilitation. Please get in touch for a chat :)
collaborate
get in touch
Have a question or want to chat? Contact details below.