Louise's Art Workshops

My name is Louise Grassby and I studied a B.A. Hons in Art, Art History and Printmaking at the University of Derby and then later majored in Art and Drama whilst pursuing a B. Ed at Bradford University. After graduating with a 1st class degree, I worked as an art teacher in a middle school in West Yorkshire and then in primary schools for another 25 years as a teacher and Deputy Head, with expertise in major school improvement .

I now work as a Consultant in Primary Schools to support the development of the Creative Curriculum and Art and Design. This includes working with leaders and delivering bespoke CPD to staff, including creative art sessions to support their health and well-being. I also do Artist in Residence work creating carefully tailored programmes to meet the needs of the learners. I can offer events to improve oracy and increase parental engagement.

In school holidays and at weekends I run art workshops for all ages including silk painting, drawing and painting, children and family art/craft events across West Yorkshire in museums and other venues. I work as a freelance artist doing private commissions for individuals and dance and theatre organisations, including work at festivals. In addition, I collaborate with Universities, schools, museums and creative organisations on artistic projects.

My collaborative work with some of these organisations has reached many different communities and I have worked creatively with other artists in the health, education and other sectors.  Creatively I support participants to co-collaborate and create outcomes which enable them to identify and communicate what is important to them and when this is done in a health setting, the measured impact has been immensely positive and helpful to individuals and has changed the way in which some health professionals are now being trained at Universities.

Several years a ago I gained a Foundation Degree in Art Therapy at Sheffield Hallam and worked in the Art Studio with patients and their families at Wheatfields Hospice, Leeds. I have always believed in the therapeutic benefits of art and being creative. In my spare time drawing, painting and creating keep me grounded and happy. When funding is available I run Arts for Health and Well-being classes. In my own practice I love to use different types of media including pencils, charcoal, acrylic paints, watercolours and mixed media as well as printmaking.