Girls In The Garden: A Blooming Success 'Picnic & Painting'

Welcome to summer all our nature enthusiasts and friends of The Wild Remedy! 

We're excited to share a delightful recap of our fourth workshop in the "Girls in the Garden" series, held on June 20th, 2024 in collaboration with Association of Bloomsbury Squares & Gardens and Camden Open Spaces. This time, we gathered in the picturesque Tavistock Square Gardens in London for a session we fondly titled "Picnic & Painting." This workshop, aptly named 'Picnic & Painting', was a harmonious blend of art, nature, and community engagement.

The workshops have been designed to embrace the existing beauty of these green spaces, focusing on simplicity and preservation rather than creating new structures. This approach and philosophy advocates for spaces that girls can freely enjoy without the need for extensive modifications. We believe in enhancing the natural environment and allowing its inherent charm to inspire and comfort girls attending the workshops. Our fourth workshop embodied this mission perfectly, as girls of all ages and backgrounds gathered under the beautiful tree canopy and in proximity to the Virginia Woolf statue in Tavistock Square Gardens, surrounded by the historic and serene atmosphere of the area.

Connecting and Creating

The 'Picnic & Painting' workshop provided a delightful fusion of creativity and relaxation. Girls learned about various perennial and seasonal flowers, using these blooms to paint onto canvas with non-toxic acrylic paint. The girls selected and arranged their own potted plants, which included a stunning array of Lupins, Petunias, Daisies, Geraniums, Hydrangeas, Lavender, and Alliums, to create their unique floral masterpieces. Our Botanical Baker contributed to the joy with a delicious selection of baked goods and fresh strawberries, adding to the charm of our picnic setting.

Tavistock Square Gardens, known for its association with the Bloomsbury Group of artists and writers, provided an inspiring backdrop for our creative workshop. The Bloomsbury Group, which included notable figures such as Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell, who once lived nearby often spent time in these very gardens. Vanessa’s daughter Angelica once wrote that “gardens were for the artists and writers, not the gardeners," highlighting the creative spirit that permeates this space. (Read more about the Bloomsbury Group). You can learn and see more about the lives of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and Virginia Woolf by visiting Charleston House and Gardens where they moved to.

A Vibrant Display

Our picnic setup was a visual treat, featuring a central display of potted perennial and seasonal summer flowers that not only brightened the garden but also drew the attention of many passerby, some of whom spontaneously joined in and created their own flower paintings.

New Connections and Warm Feedback

Our attendees, a diverse group of girls and women from various backgrounds, found the workshop to be a wonderful opportunity to make new connections. Many lived or studied locally, and the event fostered a sense of community and friendship. It was heartening to see new connections being forged as participants engaged in conversation while painting in the garden. Here are some of the wonderful things attendees had to say:

• "It was a therapeutic experience."

• "This was really an enjoyable relaxing experience."

• "I would love to do more workshops."

• "This workshop allowed me to switch off and be present."

• "I have met new people and new friends."

• "I was able to have time with me and my daughter, connecting to nature while creating my own artwork."

• "We loved the fresh flowers and cakes while relaxing and painting our pictures in the garden."

• "I got to talk with other girls about different topics and interests."

• "I would love to do more of these workshops in the garden."

These testimonials highlight the impact of our initiative ‘Girls In The Garden’, reinforcing the importance of creating spaces where girls can connect with nature and each other.

Join Us for Future Workshops

If you missed out on "Picnic & Painting," don't worry! We have more exciting workshops lined up across the beautiful garden squares of Bloomsbury. To learn more about our upcoming workshops across the Bloomsbury Squares, look for posters displayed in each park, visit our website, or use the QR code available on our promotional materials to book your place.

We invite you to join us as we continue to connect with nature and each other in these beautiful, historic gardens.

Our next workshop, eco-friendly (no wire, no nasties) "Midsummer Flower Crowns," will take place on Tuesday, June 25th, from 4-6 pm at Tavistock Square Gardens.

We hope to see you there for another enchanting experience!

Thank you for being a part of The Wild Remedy's journey. Together, we can continue to foster a love for nature and build lasting connections within our communities.

Warm regards,

Bee
Founder, The Wild Remedy

For more information on our workshops, please visit The Wild Remedy and Association of Bloomsbury Squares websites.