Squishing fresh moss onto a metal frame before getting in flow with festive foliage is not something I usually do on a Friday night. However, the part of me that’s always fancied herself as a florist was very much awakened while making Christmas Wreaths on the first day of December at Liberation Art Gallery In Brighton.
Six people; two groups of friends and me gathered around a table upstairs at the beautiful art gallery, which specialises in therapeutic art and wellbeing, nestled in the South Lanes. The festive season was well and truly kicked off with Prosecco (or herbal tea for me), the first mince pie of 2023, Christmas tunes and of course festive wreaths.
What it was like to Create a Beautiful Christmas Wreath at Liberation Art Gallery in Brighton
Liberation’s resident florist Dawn Ketteridge, of Stellata Flowers, expertly guided us through all the steps, while encouraging us to really make our creation our own, while the gallery’s director; art therapist Caroline Pendray, made sure everyone had their drinks topped up.
I’d never made a wreath from scratch before and it was incredibly satisfying to see what I’d made evolve from a ring of cold moss to a luxurious, verdant wreath adorned with pine cones, dried lotus flowers, oranges and a big green bow – in around two hours.
“Brighton embraces creativity and difference and that’s what we are – different,” Caroline, who also runs an art therapy group for young people in the space, told me. “People come here for a safe space, to express creativity and find connection.”
what made this Christmas Wreath workshop special
What I loved about this workshop was the welcoming atmosphere, especially as someone attending solo, the setting and the gallery’s mission; do pop in if you have a chance and the experience of making something with my hands and taking it home. For £45, including drinks, snacks, all materials and a wreath to take home, this is more than worth it and you can also BYOB.
Liberation Art Gallery is the perfect place in Brighton to make Christmas wreaths or to have a go at different types of arts and crafts. This art gallery opened in Winter 2022 and is about to celebrate its one-year anniversary.
Since August, Caroline has been running a programme of creative workshops including painting and pottery. For a full list of the offerings, with more festive workshops to be added soon, visit Liberation Art Gallery’s website.
Address: Liberation Art Gallery, 38 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB
