Arts Cafe: Unlocking the Inner Canvas with Bethany Rivers

Have you ever had an idea, memory or feeling that you wanted to express creatively, but couldn't quite find the right words, colours or images to capture it?

For November's Arts Cafe, we're welcoming poet, author and creative writing tutor Bethany Rivers for Unlocking the Inner Canvas, a hands-on workshop exploring how we can draw inspiration from our own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Rather than relying entirely on our thinking minds, Bethany will introduce us to a gentle, body-led creative process known as Focusing. This approach encourages us to pay attention to our inner experiences, including those feelings we recognise but can't always put into words.

Through guided exploration and practical creative activities, we'll discover how listening to these feelings can help us find new ideas, metaphors, images and ways of expressing ourselves. It's a chance to approach creativity from a different perspective, move beyond some of those familiar creative blocks and see what emerges when we give ourselves the space to explore.

Whether you're a writer, painter, illustrator, maker or simply curious about creativity, everyone is welcome. You don't need any previous experience of this approach, just an open mind and a willingness to try something different.

What to bring

Please bring your preferred creative tools, whether that's a notebook, sketchbook, pens, pencils or laptop. There'll be opportunities to explore your own ideas during the evening, alongside our usual refreshments and plenty of time for conversation.