Draw Plants Together acknowledges the Aboriginal Land where the workshops take place and expresses respects to First Nations Elders and to all First Peoples
Friendly, inclusive drawing workshops that support creativity, nature-connectedness and wellbeing
Draw Plants Together offers drawing workshops that bring together creative process and supportive relating to create the conditions for nature-connectedness.
The workshops are an opportunity to experiment with drawing in conversation with nature in a supportive, inclusive, gently social space.
Draw Plants Together hosts workshops in collaboration with community groups, organisations, schools and local councils, indoors and outdoors in urban and rural settings.
The initiative has been running since 2023, and has a special focus on making a contribution in the space of community-led ecological restoration.
Hi there :) My name’s Craig (he/him).
More about the facilitator >
Draw Plants Together workshops provide supportive conditions to connect with your own creative process.
Many people have the feeling ‘I can’t draw’, and the workshops are an opportunity to loosen this, and to rekindle experimentation and play.
The workshops focus on drawing as a process (not an outcome). They centre relationships with materials and experience through short drawing activities and opportunities for reflection.
creative process
draw
“This is the most fun and least intimidating time I've ever had drawing”
– participant, Glenroy Library Makerspace
“The activities were freeing and relaxing and removed the need to be ‘good’ or judgmental about my drawing”
– participant, St Kilda Botanical Gardens for Victorian Seniors Week
plants
At the heart of Draw Plants Together workshops are experiences of nature-connectedness.
Feeling connected to nature isn’t just enjoyable, it has been shown to be beneficial for health and wellbeing, and fundamental in developing a personal ethic of care.
The drawing workshops encourage connections with nature though a sensory, embodied approach to drawing and through centring relationships with local ecologies and place.
Draw Plants Together has a special focus on ecological restoration and offers workshops in collaboration with community groups, organisations and local councils active in this space.
nature-connectedness
“The workshop was brilliant. I feel calmer, and really enjoyed being outside, getting to notice the smaller things, and the plants in the grassland”
– participant, Cherry Street Grassland Reserve
“Was lovely to spend time with the river and contemplate, through mark-making, how important it is to the life of this place (and us). Loved the quiet, slow pace and time to reflect”
– participant, 'drawing as conversation’, Birrarung Riverfest 2025
together
relationship
Draw Plants Together workshops are a friendly, inclusive space. They’re an opportunity for personal creative time and for sharing and reflecting together in small groups.
The workshops support people and community to get together around drawing and nature and spend time in a low-pressure, relaxing, creative space in connection with nature.
The workshops happen in collaboration, and each workshop is unique to the people who attend.
“I really enjoyed the guided freedom that Craig provided in the session. It allowed our own expression while all working together”
– participant, Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve
“I loved the opportunity to share drawings in small groups”
– participant, Cherry Street Grassland Reserve
an inclusive space
Everyone of all ages, backgrounds, sexualities, genders, bodies and abilities is welcome
A respectful space for First Peoples
A respectful space for LGBTIQA+, non-binary and gender diverse people
I prioritise accessibility
Please let me know what you need for the workshops to be the best experience for you
Workshops are delivered in English unless co-facilitated or with an interpreter
English language support available on request
Workshops fees are by sliding scale and seek to be equitable
No fee for First Peoples
Please contact me if a workshop fee is a barrier to participation
workshop formats
I host weekly workshops called UNFURL at NECCHi East Coburg. These workshops focus on creative process. Join any time for single or multiple sessions.
I host monthly Saturday workshops at VINC Nursery. These workshops focus on the plants grown at the nursery and their role in ecological restoration activities.
Ongoing weekly & monthly workshops
Indoor workshops are an opportunity to spend time up-close with plants. For these workshops I usually bring plants in forestry tubes or larger pots to draw.
Past examples: at Keon Park Children’s Hub; Art for All Abilities at SPAN Neighbourhood Centre; Merri-bek Libraries Makerspaces
Indoor workshops
Drawing workshops can happen in any outdoor context, such at a community garden, reveg site, urban parkland or in remnant bushland.
Past examples: Cherry Street Grassland Reserve; as part of planting days with Darebin Creek Management Committee; as part of Birrarung Riverfest 2025
Outdoor workshops
Workshops at festivals & community events
For all-day community events I usually offer workshops in a ‘drop-in’ format where people attending the event can come and go across the day.
Past examples: West Brunswick Community Garden Spring Festival
Full or multi-day workshops are an opportunity to spend time in a longer creative process together.
Past examples: 2 days of drawing including creek excursion with Cowwarr Primary School; 2 days with Merri Creek Primary along the Birrarung as part of their festival Connecting to Country: Water
Full-day & multi-day workshops
Both indoor and outdoor workshop formats suit team-building and other organisational activities.
Past examples: team-building with the Natural Systems Team at Mornington Peninsula Shire; as part of a two-team strategy day with Merri-bek Council
Workshops for teams & organisations
what people are saying
“I felt safe, supported and inspired to be creative and connect with plants. The best workshop I've taken”
– participant, 'Plant life queer life' with Bridge Queer Gathering for FUSE Darebin 2024
“I really enjoyed the session outside, particularly how the breeze and weather changed the way we worked”
– participant, St Kilda Botanical Gardens for Victorian Seniors Festival 2025
“We’re grateful to Craig for his generous collaboration and for helping bring attention to the beauty and significance of local native plants through art, inspiring deeper connection and care for the landscapes we share”
– Darebin Creek Management Committee, community planting days 2025
“As someone who doesn’t have a lot of art-making experience and who is pretty shy, this felt like a really gentle and inclusive space to grow more comfy and less in my head. Also, as an autistic person, this felt really accessible and low pressure”
– participant, Edendale Environment Farm 2025
“I felt so many moments of wonder and connection”
– participant, Cherry Street Grassland Reserve for the Great Southern BioBlitz 2025
“Draw Plants Together offers a form of relaxation, even meditation, ways of engaging with plants free of the pressure to ‘know already’, and ways to think about how we respond to climate change, injustice and species loss in ways that can support action rather than overwhelm to inaction”
– Liz Morrigan, participant at NECHHi 2024
join a workshop
Want to have a chat before signing up? Please get in touch – I’m happy to answer any questions.
book a workshop
If you’re interested in booking at Draw Plants Together workshop for your community or organisation, please get in touch!
I welcome opportunities to connect with others working in similar spaces and welcome collaboration and co-facilitation. Please get in touch for a chat :)
collaborate
get in touch
Have a question or want to chat? Contact details below.