Open Creative Residency

A four-day residential workshop

with Afrika Simpson and Grant Jarvis

Description

We welcome you on this four day workshopof transformational play, movement and artto engage with vital practices which honourand nourish every aspect of our creativity. 

Hosted in the incredible Watamu Treehouse and immersed innature and coastal Kenyan culture we will facilitate a space inwhich we can explore and expand our creative practices. 

Whether you are drawn to create through movement, art, music,performance, film or simply see life itself as a creative act wewill nurture a safe and brave space in which we can nourish andexplore all our elements. 

Specialists in the art of Fool and Clown, our pedagogy engagesin harnessing the transformational nature of play to access arealm in which we can move past our inhibitions. 

Our intention is to embrace the ridiculous aspects of life andourselves to find a golden thread of connection, curiosity,laughter and energy which culminates in creative growth andresilience. 

In this 4 day long workshop we will engage in practices whichare vital to recognising and overcoming our obstacles so thatwe can honour and engage with every aspect of our creativity. 

This residency will take place at Watamu Treehouse, Kenya.

  • April 1st

  • April 4th

  • English

  • Early Bird: 60,000/- per person (shared room)

  • If booked after Feb 14th: 65,000/- per person (shared room)

  • Watamu Treehouse

 
 

Meet your facilitators for this residency.

Grant Jarvis is an eternal student of clown, a practitioner of mask and ritual performance, bodyworker, yoga instructor, somatic mover, space holder and carpenter. 

Grant entered into the creative realm of clown and ritual performance, training most prominently with Daniel Hernandez, pioneer of ritual performance and founder of the DivineRidiculous and Luigi Scapini (master tarotlogist).  With particular interest in the fields of ritual performance, clown and buffon over the last 5 years, Grant now feels readyto share his research, knowledge, experience and expertise. He is an active participant in the alter-ego progressive political gathering, and focuses much of his energy as a nactivist in environmental and progressive social change movements.

Grant has also trained and practices as a ThaiYoga Massage Therapist and Hatha-Kundalini Yoga teacher. As a facilitator Grant weaves his eclectic range of expertise and experiences together to co-facilitate a conscious space in which to explore the ever-expanding edges of our creativity. 

Afrika Simpson is a visual artist, musician, film-maker, poet, clown and theatre director. As a facilitator Afrika’s main creative research area is the transformational nature of play and it’s ability to radically affect a positive change in our well-being. 

Through Le Fool et La Force workshops she is bringing the culmination of her creative experiences and unique skills to serve others in their journeys toward radical creative expression. Afrika has apprenticed for 5 years with Clownlife facilitator Zuma Puma, most recently co-running an alternative the at revenue at Buddhafields festival UK and touring with the FlyingSeagulls Circus Project. As a visual artist she exhibits and sells her paintings and as a musician performs and records as a singer-songwriter. Afrika is now keenly developing a passion and skill in surrealistic film making and costume design. Over the last decade Afrika has formally trained with the NationalYouth Theatre London, completed a Bachelor of Arts fromGoldsmiths University of London in Theatre and PerformanceArts. 

In the workshop Afrika will be offering exercises which release us into states of curiosity and play, leading practices which explore painting, costume and other forms of visual art and working with voice and rhythm. 

 

What a day might taste like…

  • Morning movement and meditation

  • Awakening creative practice; Journalling

  • Yummy wholesome breakfast

  • Workshop on engaging with play, costume and mask

  • Delicious lunch

  • Time for spaciousness resting and reflection

  • Afternoon nature walk, land art creation and ritual

  • Sunset gathering with tea, coffee and snacks

  • Free time

  • Well deserved dinner

  • Optional film screening.

What is included in this retreat

  • Full board and accommodation

  • Full Moon Mangrove float on Mida Creek (an award winning Treehouse experience)

  • All creative workshops

  • Basic art materials; string, wire, pencils, paper, glue, paint, scrap material. Most of our art will be made using found and recycled material. (We encourage everyone to bring the art supplies which they feel inspired to use as well)

What is not included in this retreat

  • Travel costs to and from Watamu

  • Transport around Watamu unless as part of a workshop trip

  • KWS Marine Park tickets (for snorkelling)

 

Retreat food

Abundant in flavour, colour, nutrients and freshness

We source our ingredients with care, supporting local producers, and we prepare it with love.

Our lunches and dinners are abundant “set-meals” and always include a soup or starter, a vegetarian main course, a variety of sides and salads, and a dessert. We serve fresh juice or coconut water and a variety of hot drinks after the meal.  Great for vegans, and gluten and dairy-free.

Retreat venue

Watamu Treehouse on the beach in Kenya:

  • the perfect spacious open air house to be in touch with the elements

  • unique architecture-rooms have views of sunrises or sunsets (or both!)

  • set in a coastal forest on one of the best white-sand beaches in Kenya

  • swimming in the warm healing waters

Please bring with you…!

  • Journal (lined or plain)

  • Pen

  • Sketch book

  • Art materials which you love to use

  • Any pieces of costume which make you feel ridiculous or empowered (consider whether you would feel comfortable with sharing costumes during the workshops)

  • Any instruments (you don’t need to know how to play them ;)

Getting to this yoga retreat

The closest airport is Malindi on the East Coast of Kenya, which is approximately 25 minutes taxi ride from Treehouse. We can arrange transfers. The following airlines fly to Malindi: Jambojet; Fly540; Air Kenya; Fly SAX; Kenya Airways. You can also fly to Mombasa International Airport on the airlines listed above plus Kenya Airways. Mombasa is approximately 2 hours drive from Treehouse. Or take the SGR Train to Mombasa and we can send a taxi to collect you.

Watamu Treehousemeditation