Creative Experience Day – Mindful Art with Valerie Dalling

Valerie Dalling is a visual artist who takes inspiration from the light, colour, shape and texture of the Derbyshire landscape.  Using photography, paint, sketching and words, she produces award-winning artwork which has been exhibited throughout the region and has featured in numerous books and publications.

New for 2024, we are delighted to welcome Valerie to Haddon Medieval  to lead a Mindful Art Day in our ancient parkland.  This is a slow, gentle exploration of the beautiful landscape, with forest bathing, quiet time and focusing on the senses through creativity.  Valerie will encourage and guide participants in developing new ways of seeing and recording their surroundings using photography (with a phone camera), words and art.

The event is suitable for everyone over the age of 14.  No previous experience or art skill is required.

Please bring a phone to use for photography, so that your focus is more on the beautiful surroundings than the technical settings of a camera.  Please also bring a rug or a small camping chair to sit on, so that you can be comfortable in the landscape whilst sketching or writing.

Bring a picnic lunch and drinks with you to enjoy in the parkland, surrounded by nature.

Please note that this walk takes place within the unspoilt, natural landscape of Haddon Medieval Park.  There are few paths, the terrain is uneven in places and may be wet and/or muddy.  For your safety and comfort you are advised to wear walking boots or other stout footwear and to have warm, waterproof clothing available with you to wear if required on the day of your visit. Please bear in mind that we cannot guarantee good weather,  and the event will go ahead unless it is deemed unsafe to proceed because of particularly heavy rain, high winds or stormy weather.  In the event of inclement weather, the walk will be shorter and follow-up activities will take place in our Tudor Stables Workshop.