Matt and Holly have been working alongside children in schools across Wokingham to co-create imaginative responses to themes of nature connection, biodiversity, and art. Each workshop has been a unique journey shaped by the students ideas, curiosity, and sense of wonder. Their collaborative artworks will be exhibited at the Forest of Imagination festival, where we’ll reunite to explore the event together and continue our shared creative journey. This evolving project celebrates children as artists and thinkers, honouring their voices and visions while fostering deep connections with the natural world through playful, meaningful, and expressive experiences.

At Emm Brook Primary School, Matt and Tiba began the sessions with an exploration into “What is the Forest of Imagination,” letting the children lead the way. The initial ideas were very sensory and feeling-focused, and after seeing the scale of the ideas in the sketchbook, they were inspired to make something collaboratively that could be large enough to get inside and be immersed with in. We introduced them to willow as a material to quickly form larger structures. Firstly, working in groups on small maquettes, exploring weaving techniques, forms, and shapes. We then came together around large paper, drawing our final design in willow charcoal. The final design welcomes you with the relaxing smell of lavender, encouraging you to lie down, framing the sky above you. While the structure itself forms connections with the environment, with birdhouses built on to the sides and the living willow providing food for the school deer.