Saturday 23rd August 2025
2:00PM – 4:00PM | The Scout Hut, Narberth | £10 / £8 concession
Recommended age: 8+ | Capacity: 25 participants
What happens when the slow grace of butoh dance meets the delicate motion of a paintbrush? When creativity slows to the pace of breath, and the swirl of a body in motion becomes the subject of an afternoon’s artistic meditation?
SPAN Arts’ Scout Hut Sessions invite you to experience this unique intersection of disciplines with Painting Movement — an immersive cross-artform workshop led by artist-facilitators Billy Maxwell-Taylor and Phoebe Lester. It’s an invitation to pause, observe, and respond — not with words, but with lines, colour, and intuition.
Set against a backdrop of ambient music in a softly lit, welcoming space, participants are encouraged to sketch, paint, or draw what they feel as much as what they see. The live movement, a flowing fusion of spiralling acrobatics and the meditative slowness of butoh—a Japanese form of dance theatre—will unfold before you like a dream in motion. You’ll be guided gently through the process, with the chance to use provided materials or bring your own (yes, even the long-forgotten art supplies gathering dust at home).
Whether you’re an experienced artist or someone simply curious to explore new forms of creativity, this workshop is designed to be accessible, calming, and inspiring. There’s no pressure for perfection. Instead, the emphasis is on connection — with the art, with the performers, and with your own creative process.
Billy, who brings years of experience in performance and somatic practice, describes butoh as “a rebellion against rigid technique,” using movement as a way to connect gently with our environments and each other. “Gentleness is a radical act,” he says. “This could be the slow turn of a hand, reaching toward the sun, or melting to the floor over five minutes. We’re offering a space to contemplate and observe the world more deeply.”
Phoebe, a visual artist with a passion for collaborative creativity, is excited by the possibilities of combining disciplines. “We’ll all see the movement differently — and that’s the magic. It’s about letting go of judgement and embracing the moment. There’s no right or wrong way.”
The space itself has been carefully curated to promote comfort and creativity — warm teas, thoughtful sounds, and the freedom to move around or settle wherever you feel most at ease. You’re free to ask questions, to chat with others, or simply soak it all in quietly.
At its heart, this session is about slowing down. It’s about seeing the world a little differently — in the arc of an arm, in the fall of a shadow — and letting that moment live on through your mark on the page.
So whether you’re dusting off your brushes or picking up a pencil for the first time, come as you are. Share a few calm, connected hours with a small group of fellow makers. You may leave with a drawing, or perhaps a deeper sense of presence — and the reminder that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect to be profound.
Tickets are £10 / £8 full/concession and advance booking is recommended to secure your place.
For more details and to book, visit: span-arts.org.uk
