Elinor Brass Leads Inspiring Art Retreat

Over the Easter break, 26 art teachers from across the UK and Europe gathered in Brighton for a vibrant three-day residential Sketchbook Circle course, organised by Oakham School’s Director of Art, Elinor Brass and Shoreham-based artist and educator Sam Hobbs.

The retreat offered a rich programme including life drawing, letterpress printing, a protest art session, a gilding workshop, and tours of Brighton Pavilion and Museum.

Elinor founded the Sketchbook Circle in 2009 to help art teachers reconnect with their own creativity and sustain their passion for teaching. Since 2014, she has worked with artist educator Georgia Naish to run the circle and has seen it grow significantly with artist educators taking part across the UK and Europe. In recent years, Elinor has organised numerous residentials in inspiring locations including Berlin, Margate, Birmingham, and Cambridge. Elinor organised this year’s residential course in Brighton with artist Sam Hobbs, who is a Secondary School Teacher of Art but who also works in the learning department at Brighton Museum.

“Sketchbook Circle gives teachers space to develop their own artistic voice,” said Elinor. “It supports wellbeing and keeps their love of teaching alive.”

Participants engage in monthly sketchbook exchanges – creative visual dialogues that foster artistic growth and build a strong, supportive community among art educators.

Oakham School staff benefit from Elinor’s commitment to creativity and wellbeing through her ‘Make Time to Make’ workshops, which have included activities such as Christmas wreathmaking, festive decorations and wrapping paper, and bespoke lampshade-making.