Your Seasons of Stories

Encourage creative conversation, community and nature connection.

Your Seasons of Stories is a nature and creative community project led by Stepping into Nature. The project co-developed, along with four Dorset based artists and community groups, this beautifully written, illustrated and filmed mix of creative writing and art activities.

They are available below as downloadable activity booklets, art, templates and short films or as a limited edition physical box of resources.

They are great for adults of any age and ability and are adaptable to being done indoors or out, in groups or individually, and with minimal materials.

Be inspired through film

Watch the films that have been captured across the Dorset landscape and feature the poet, storyteller and visual artists involved in the project. Each activity booklet has a accompanying film.

Wild Self

Combining nature with personalities through storytelling and large scale art. 

Useful items: paper, pen, pencil, wax crayons, natural object with texture, water based paint like inks or watercolours, paintbrush.

Reflections

Loosen up and draw outdoors with others using ‘The Mirror Game’.

Useful items: paper, pen, pencil, charcoal, blanket/seat to go outdoors.

Changes

Journey through seasonal changes using story and art.

Useful items: Pencil, Colouring pencils, wheel of change template, split pin, 

Shadows

Go through the process of cyanotype printing – a process of using sun activated dyes.  

Useful items: Cyanotype dyes/paper, glass frame, bucket and water. 

Movement

Capture the mood and pace of nature through art and poetry .

Useful items: pen, pencil, paint,paintbrush, paper, clipboard and water.

Supporters

Your Seasons of Stories has been created by the Stepping into Nature project working with the incredibly talented team of poet Sarah Acton, storyteller Martin Maudsley, artists Ilse Black and Sarah Jane Ross, designer Spike Golding and videographer Ben Ingram. The Your Seasons of Stories project is supported through Stepping into Nature led by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. View a video of the impact of the project here.