It's officially deadline weekend folks! Get those applications in and join us for the 5th Wave of our Creative Start Up Programme, Spring 2024.
To conclude the promo run up, I had a chat with James Taberner of Dorset Creative Workshops, about his journey as both a Start Up Graduate, and a workshop leader here at TOSH. Learn all about James's connection to TOSH, his passion for running workshops, and what he's got planned for 2024!
Who are you, and what is your brand?!
Hey everyone. I’m James, a local creative with a passion for teaching art workshops. Having studied Art & Design and Model Making at Arts University Bournemouth, and undertaking many short courses there, I now love sharing my passion for creativity with others! I run a vast variety of workshops, including Clay Sculpting, Drawing, and Lino Printmaking. I also build miniature dioramas as a way to unwind!
How did you connect with TOSH and the Creative Start Up Programme?
I first made contact with TOSH when looking at venues for my local Drawing group, Drink and Draw Dorset - our free drawing meet ups! I found TOSH to be a friendly welcoming space - I've had some really positive feedback from members about the venue since! It was soon after this that I got involved with the Creative Start Up Programme. The programme really helped me to meet other creative business owners and share ideas and grow together in a friendly environment!
What have you been up to since graduating from the Programme?
I am successfully running my art workshops at TOSH, which I love doing! It gives me the opportunity to put my skills from my teaching qualification to great use. Getting to meet so many inspiring creatives and show them a new art practice gives me so much joy and purpose! It really fires me up to find new ways to teach and interact with my members. TOSH has everything I could need to be able to deliver my workshops in a friendly, relaxed manner, and the people are so accommodating. I would definitely recommend others to get involved with the programmes at TOSH- they add so much to the local community and it's nice connecting with other local like-minded folk!
What have you got planned for 2024?!
I am always developing my workshops, particularly with Printmaking- creating greeting cards, bookmarks and fabric relief prints. I have lots of new ideas in the pipeline too, including developing a personal sketchbook with different mediums... watch this space!
To whom would you recommend the Start Up Programme?
I would recommend the Start Up Programme to anyone that is just getting started with their creative business- wanting to understand the right way to getting set up, and getting connected with other local creatives.
If you would like to get involved in my Art Workshops then please join my Facebook group: Dorset Creative Workshops
Find out more about our Creative Start Up Programme, Spring 2024, and apply here.
Application deadline 25th March
