claire jo harmer IN south devon hosts ART experiences, workshops and courses
Courses
and
workshops
markmakers
Your weekly space to meet other creatives, to create, to chat, enjoy a cuppa and to have my encouragement, tips and support as you pursue your own art journey.
Wednesdays 10-12 during term times. Try one session for £10 then reserve your space with a termly payment at £10 per session. For example, a 12 week term is £120.
Venue: A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham, TQ5 9DE
paint
Your monthly workshop to explore painting. All art supplies are included and refreshments are complimentary. These painting workshops are guided and suitable for those new to painting or would like a refresher.
Sessions are one Sunday a month from 10am until 12:30pm and £45 per session. Discounts available for multiple bookings.
Dates and themes:
14th June - Acrylics - Florals
19th July - Acrylics - Coast
16th August - Gouache - Woodland
20th Sep - Gouache - Marine life
18th Oct - Watercolour - Autumn
15th Nov - Watercolour - Christmas
Venue: A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham, TQ5 9DE
the looking club
Your monthly course for exploring our understanding of visual language. We’ll look at composition, balance, foundation elements and refer to the work of others for reflection and discussion before giving our own artwork our attention with artist support. Bring your art supplies and be ready to reflect.
You’ll receive a PDF the week before our session to help you decide what to bring with you.
Sessions are one Sunday a month from 2pm until 5pm and £35 per session. Discounts available for multiple bookings.
Dates:
14th June, 19th July, 16th Aug, 20th Sep, 18th Oct, 15th Nov
Venue: A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham, TQ5 9DE
abstract
Your monthly space to express and explore.
Claire begins the sessions with demonstrations and techniques to explore before you dive into your own intuitive art making. Expect colour, shape and mark making.
Sessions are one Tuesday evening a month from 7pm until 9pm and £35 per session. Discounts available for multiple bookings of 4 or more.
All art supplies included. Bring refreshments.
12th May, 9th June, 14th July & 11th Aug,
15th Sep, 13th Oct, 10th Nov & 15th Dec
Venue: A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham, TQ5 9DE
portfolio
Monthly studio sessions in person with ongoing email support. Up to 4 participants only. Portfolio is an immersive course for those who are ready to take a deeper dive into their practice and develop their unique approach to art making. The Portfolio experience is carefully curated for you as an individual and the path is determined by your own interests, curiosities and reflections.
Sessions are one Monday morning a month from 10am until 1pm and £180 for 4 months, further offers are available for bookings of 5 months or more..
Initial art supplies included (you will need to build your own art supplies kit based on your preferences) Complimentary refreshments.
8th June, 13th July, 10th August, 14th Sep, 12th Oct, 9th Nov, 14th Dec
Venue: A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham, TQ5 9DE
One-to-one
If you’re an artist (you might be getting started or experienced) - I can support you with the one-to-one offer. I’m here to listen and help you navigate your unique art journey through practical sessions, encouragement and regular accountability check ins. This isn’t ‘tuition’ this is all about reflection and an eagerness to explore what makes you and your art unique!
Monthly in person or virtual studio session
Weekly email and messaging support
Let’s start with a phone call and chat about your art journey!
demonstrations and group / setting workshops
Whether you’re school, an art society, a community group or a gathering of friends - I can bring a colour-filled, fun and expressive artist experiences to YOU!
Designed specifically to meet your needs.
Let’s start with a phone call and chat about your unique offer!
about cabbage tree studio cic
"What's a Cabbage Tree"? you may ask....well...the botanical term is Cordyline Australis, locally known as the Torbay Palm.
Back in 2006, I travelled and taught in New Zealand. Whilst I was there I was totally blown away by the breathtaking, dramatic landscapes and fell totally in love with these stunning spikey towers highlighting the Kiwi coastline.
As I spent time in art departments, art colleges, galleries and markets I'd see art interpretations of these Cabbage Trees (in NZ known as such due to the edible young leaves) in paintings, sketches and printmaking - they were everywhere - and SO iconic!
When choosing a name for the Community Interest Company I jumped at calling it ‘Cabbage Tree Studio’ which, for me, evokes thoughts of ADVENTURE, NATURE AND ART MAKING - three pretty exciting things!
Through Cabbage Tree Studio CIC I facilitate art experiences, workshops, courses and projects.
When I see a Cabbage Tree I'm filled with the same awe and excitement that connects me to times of adventure, travel and possibilities.
Those trees make me smile!
It's this same excitement that I love to help others find.
about
During my 20+ years of teaching art my joy was found in supporting others to create art they wanted to make in their own unique way.
Through exploring our curiosities and experimenting with exciting art techniques we can all find those YES moments, it's in these opportunities, if we take a breath to reflect and respond, that we can find that next step on our personal art journey.
Throughout the year I host a variety of ‘Painting Experiences’ at A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham. This is also my studio space where you can see works in progress and the latest finished paintings. Courses and workshops are bookable through Eventbrite using the link below. I also run FREE Family Art Drop In days and community project workshops. To see the latest opportunities with CABBAGE TREE STUDIO CIC, check out the Facebook Page here.
Hope to see you at an event soon!
What has cabbage tree studio been up to?
2025 was an exciting year for projects and collaborations. Picturesque Torbay has been an amazing success reaching a WIDE audience with over 300 participants in the project!
Brixham’s Red Earth was a VERY exciting heritage project where we explored Brixham’s amazing history of red ochre mining and the connection with the ‘red sails at sunset’ on those glorious Brixham Trawlers from the 1800’s.
Summer 2025 I facilitated the decorating of a 3 x 2m mural on canvas with schools and a family art drop in for Devon Wildlife Trust as part of the Saving Devon’s Treescapes celebration!
Closing 2025 by celebrating Fantasy Foundry - reimagining Castle Circus as a Fantasy Landscape - LOVED this opportunity to meet people, support their art journey and embrace a chance to play with watercolour and ink!
What a joy to paint outside with a community group as part of South Devon’s National Landscapes and the ‘Life on the Edge’ project!
2026 started with a new studio space at A Kick Up The Arts, 6 Bolton Street, Brixham. Absolutely LOVE hosting courses and workshops at the studio where I can invite participants for a front row seat into my processes and latest works.