Join our Butterfly Collage Workshop
Join us for a calming, family-friendly afternoon of butterfly collaging on Sunday 5th July from 1pm - 3pm at St Cubert's Church.
As part of the HushFest exhibition, this drop-in session is an opportunity for families to explore nature, creativity, and quiet connection in a safe, welcoming space where quiet kids and parents alike can have fun and gently stretch their creative comfort zones.
If you would like, you are invited to leave your finished butterfly with us to be included in our community gallery, or you can take it home with you.
We can’t wait to welcome you.
Your Meet Up Connectors
Emily
Jo Buckingham
Connector
Emily
Community Engagement Lead
Jo Buckingham
Hi, I’m Jo.
Growing up, I was painfully shy and spent a long time believing that being quiet meant there was something wrong with me. Social situations often felt overwhelming, and I found it much easier to observe than participate. Over time, though, I began to realise that my quietness had also given me strengths – empathy, deep listening, thoughtfulness and an awareness of others.
A big turning point came when I started working on traditional sailing ships. In that environment, I discovered that quiet people could bring calm, care and strong teamwork, and I found I loved supporting others to grow in confidence too. It helped me understand that I didn’t need to become a different person to belong.
Since then, across my career, I’ve been passionate about creating welcoming, low-pressure spaces where quieter, introverted, socially anxious and neurodivergent people can feel safe, valued and accepted as themselves. I believe the right environment and gentle encouragement can make a huge difference to someone’s confidence and sense of belonging, and I’m excited to help create more of those spaces and opportunities through Quiet Connections.
What to expect
What’s the workshop going to be like?
Come and experiment with butterfly collages as a gentle way to explore quiet in nature, creativity, self, and relationships. You don't need any prior experience or particular art skills to join in. Emily will guide you through simple collage techniques, using shapes, textures, and layers to bring your butterfly to life.
All the creative resources and materials you need to create your butterfly will be laid out and ready for you, alongside examples and templates to use if you find them helpful.
If you would like, you and your children are invited to leave your finished butterflies with us to become part of a collective, growing HushFest display within the church. If you'd prefer to take your artwork home with you, that is absolutely fine too!
Up-close nature inspiration
To help inspire your creations, we'll have a microscope set up with some real, preserved butterfly specimens. This is a wonderful opportunity for curious children (and adults!) to marvel at the intricate patterns, scales, and colours of real butterfly wings up close before designing their own.
What’s the space going to be like?
We've designed our space to be calm, flexible, and comfortable. In our community, we recognise that silence is a natural strength, and both quietude and gentle chatter are welcomed.
You are invited to bring your authentic self - whether you'd like to chat or create in total silence, your quiet presence is deeply valued. Our main hope is simply that you leave feeling comfortable, included, and proud of whatever you create.
Do you need to bring anything?
All the creative resources and materials you need to create your butterflies will be laid out and ready for you, alongside examples and templates to use if you find them helpful. Just bring yourselves!
HushFest
This drop-in session is part of HushFest, Cornwall's Festival of Quietness, taking place from 4th to 10th July 2026. Through exhibitions, workshops, performances, and community-created artwork, HushFest celebrates quietness as a source of creativity, connection, and belonging.
Where to find us
How to join in
There's no need to book this workshop, you can just show up between 1-3pm on the day and get involved.
Where to find us
St Cubert Church
1 Churchtown, Cubert, Newquay, TR8 5EZ
Google Map | Street View | ///hugs.megawatt.slide
Getting here
- By car: There is a car parking field near to the church
- By bus: There is a bus stop on Holywell Road, 4 mins walk (350ft) from the venue
To receive more detailed instructions on getting to this Meet Up, please contact meetups@quietconnections.co.uk.
