Community

Nichola’s vision for her art studio is to create a welcoming space where community members can build confidence, relax, and enjoy creative expression. The studio brings people of all abilities together, fostering connection, collaboration and friendship through shared artmaking.

Located at the rear of the Centre for Participation, the studio hosts a range of workshops throughout the week, offering diverse creative activities open to all ages and abilities. Alongside supporting individuals to work on their own projects, Nichola collaborates with the community on a variety of collective initiatives, including theatre backdrops and props, murals, mosaics, and large-scale sculptures for events and festivals.

These three murals were painted during service trips to the Philippines at Saint Augustin Primary School, a school in need of revitalisation.

Nichola Clarke designed the murals and coordinated students into groups, guiding them to paint colour within the outlined drawings. The children enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to paint together on the walls of their school, with around 70 students keen to take part. Nichola completed the murals by adding the final details and finishing touches.

The project was designed as a collaborative experience between artist and students, combining creativity and enjoyment while building confidence, fostering connection, forming an international relationship, and bringing colour and life to the school environment.