A gentle note on being together
This workshop takes place in a shared creative space. As you’ll discover, we’ll be a group of people who come from different places, backgrounds, experiences, and ways of working - and that variety is absolutely part of the richness of this type of event.
I’m confident that those of you who’ve been to one of my previous workshops will describe meeting wonderful individuals from across the world, many going on to become friends and creative champions for each other. Some of you are returning for the second, third or fourth time - which bodes well for the atmosphere we collectively create each year.
However, we are also imperfect humans with our own idiosyncrasies! So for ease and clarity of expectations I’m sharing the following code of conduct. Your participation constitutes acknowledgement and acceptance of these standards. Thank you.
Data protection, copyright and confidentiality
Behaviour
A group learning space has potential to feel daunting. Each of us brings our own doubts and vulnerabilities, many of us are leaving family, work or caring responsibilities in order to travel abroad. Please treat each other with kindness and generosity of intent, including respecting personal space, noise levels and the shared use of tables and materials.
Constructive and positive feedback on each other’s work will be welcomed at moments during the week. It can be encouraging to hear from your peers, but this is optional so please indicate at the time if you’d prefer not to share your work or give feedback.
Discriminatory remarks, harassment, intimidation, or disruptive behaviour won’t be tolerated. In the highly unlikely event that such behaviour occurs, workshop leaders reserve the right to remove a participant from the workshop without a refund.
Safety
Workshop leaders will take all reasonable precautions to keep everyone safe within workshop hours, including providing demonstrations and instructions for using tools and materials. However, participants are responsible for recognising their own limitations and asking for additional support if required.
It is participants’ responsibility to inform workshop leaders of any additional needs, allergies or medical requirements that may impact on their health or safety during a workshop. Each person is responsible for taking out adequate medical insurance to cover accidents or illnesses during their stay.
Workshop leaders are not responsible for any accident or injury occurring beyond the workshop, including in public spaces during trips out. Accommodation arrangements are not a legal part of the workshop offer and are made individually between hosts and guests. Any associated risk is not the responsibility of workshop leaders.
If you feel unwell or unsafe, please contact a workshop leader as soon as possible so we can support you.
Work space and materials
Each day we will invite you to swap seats within the studio space to allow everyone to have a change of view and table companion.
Keep bags and coats away from the work space to avoid a trip hazard or damage from paint spillage. A designated space will be made available for these items.
Please clean up after yourself, including tables, materials and sinks. We are working in a beautiful house rather than an artist’s studio, so let’s avoid leaving our mark!
If anything gets damaged, please let us know so we can fix it, replace it or, where relevant, report it to the venue owner.
Data protection, copyright and confidentiality
Personal stories shared in the group stay within the group. Please respect individual confidentiality.
Be mindful when taking photographs not to include personal information such as wifi passwords, family photographs or writing in sketchbooks.
An optional WhatsApp group will be created on the first day of the workshop for arrangements during trips or socialising outside of workshop hours. You are encouraged to join this for the duration of the workshop. In some cases, these become digital communities that continue for years, offering creative support and encouragement beyond the workshop. However, I know WhatsApp groups are not everyone’s thing, and there is no obligation to join, or remain in a group after the workshop has ended. Exiting a group will not be viewed as a hostile act!
Please respect the Intellectual Property of workshop content and don’t replicate any of the exercises, or images of others’ work, for commercial use.
Photography, video and social media
If you do not wish to be photographed, videoed or to have your work shared on social media, please wear a sticker (these will be provided) to indicate this preference. If you are recording within the workshop space, please respect others’ preference not to have their face included and ask permission before photographing or recording anyone’s artwork.
If you’re sharing videos on social media, please ensure all audio is muted in case a private conversation is unintentionally recorded.
Lengthy videos of demos and instructions from workshop leaders should not be recorded for either personal or public use.
If you’d like to share your own work, created in the workshop, on social media please consider using the hashtag #lauramckendryworkshops so other participants can see your content.
Disagreements and complaints
If a misunderstanding or moment of tension arises, please address it gently and directly with one another in a spirit of goodwill and resolution. However, workshop leaders will be available to help resolve a disagreement should you need.
If you have an issue with the delivery or content of the workshop or are unhappy with activities arranged as part of the workshop, please speak to a workshop leader. We will do our best to resolve it fairly and promptly.
Care for yourself
Recognise that frustrations can be an inevitable part of the creative process, and five days together can feel intense. Please take a break whenever you need, get a drink, sit outside, or come and speak to us.
It’s also fine to take a longer break or leave early. Be conscious of your own limits. If you’re leaving the workshop building, please aim to let a workshop leader know.
If you’d like more critical feedback or want to be pushed harder with your work, I encourage you to specifically ask for a more in-depth critique.
And finally, it’s very important to me that each person feels creatively, practically and emotionally supported during the workshop. If you feel overwhelmed, need help in any way, or would welcome a quiet word, please come and speak to a workshop leader.