New Youth Art Academy Launching Near Bridgnorth: Inspiring Young Artists Aged 11–16

We're delighted to announce the launch of the Olive & Plum Youth Art Academy, a new programme designed to help young people aged 11–16 develop their artistic skills, confidence and creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Based near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, the Youth Art Academy will bring together talented professional artists and passionate young creatives, offering high-quality art tuition outside the traditional classroom setting.

To celebrate the launch, we are hosting a special Youth Art Academy Taster Session on Sunday 27th September 2026 at Quatt Village Hall, near Bridgnorth.

Art Classes for Young People in Shropshire

Many young people love art but have limited opportunities to explore it in depth. School timetables are increasingly crowded and many parents tell us that their children would benefit from more time to develop their creative skills, experiment with different techniques and learn from practising artists.

The Youth Art Academy has been created to provide exactly that.

Whether your child dreams of pursuing art as a career, is preparing for GCSE Art, is educated at home, or simply loves drawing and painting, our aim is to provide expert tuition that nurtures both skill and confidence.

Supporting Home Educated Young People

We believe the Youth Art Academy will be particularly valuable for home-educated young people across Shropshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Many home educating families are looking for opportunities that combine high quality teaching with social interaction and creative development. The Youth Art Academy will offer young people the chance to learn new techniques, develop a portfolio of work, meet like-minded peers and gain inspiration from professional artists.

We hope to build a welcoming community where young artists can grow, learn and support one another.

Meet the Professional Artists

The taster session will provide an opportunity to work alongside three experienced professional artists:

Sarah Stokes

Sarah Stokes is a Best Selling Watercolour Artist & author with over 134,000 courses sold & over 200,000 followers on Domestika.

Sarah is one of the founders of Olive & Plum and is a professional, published wildlife artist and author working from the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, in England. She specialises in watercolour and charcoal. 

Her warm and easy manner have made her watercolour and charcoal classes a firm favourite with beginners and improvers alike. 

She is also a passionate conservationist and animal lover and is constantly inspired by the birds and animals that live in the woodlands that surround her home and studio, on the banks of the River Severn. 

Jaime Moore

Jaime Moore, an artist from Worcestershire, has always had a passion for art. However, after college, her journey took a different turn when she found herself working in special education, supporting pupils with special needs. She thrived in this role for over twelve years, loving the daily challenges and the chance to make a meaningful impact. The role also gave her space to channel her creativity in unexpected ways.

After starting a family and taking a break from her career, Jaime reignited her love for art once her youngest child began school. She enrolled in a six-week course with renowned artist Sarah Stokes, thinking it would just help her brush up on some skills. Little did she know that it would spark a creative whirlwind, leading to four years filled with exhibitions, regular commissions, and her selection as a finalist in the prestigious David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, where she exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London.

Jaime has since found a new calling—teaching. She now assists Sarah Stokes at art workshops in Arley Studios & beyond, where she's developed a passion for helping others explore watercolour and charcoal. Jaime loves witnessing the growth of her students as they discover their unique styles and perspectives.

Specialising in watercolour and charcoal, Jaime is captivated by the boldness of charcoal, particularly in animal and human portraits, while her watercolour work shines with vibrant hues and fluidity. Her work often features bright birds, landscapes, seascapes, and more recently, architectural scenes, making her pieces dynamic and full of life.

Laura Jayne Smith

Laura Jayne Smith is a Worcestershire-based artist who specialises in watercolour and charcoal, with a deep appreciation for the natural world. Her work primarily features wildlife, capturing the beauty of animals from the British Isles and beyond.

Her lifelong love for animals began in childhood, where she often cared for a variety of creatures. This passion is reflected in her art, which frequently highlights birds and large mammals, such as elephants. Laura is particularly fond of using watercolour and charcoal for their flexibility, allowing her to create both detailed, refined pieces and looser, more expressive works.

As a member of the Association of Animal Artists, Laura has exhibited her work in numerous group shows and has been a finalist in both national and international wildlife art competitions. Her exhibitions span from local galleries to prestigious venues in London.

In addition to her artistic career, Laura has over 20 years of teaching experience, working with people of all ages and abilities, including children, teens, adults, and special needs groups. She leads watercolour and drawing workshops, where her friendly and encouraging teaching style helps participants feel comfortable and confident. Laura finds great fulfillment in teaching, enjoying the process of guiding others toward their own artistic success.

Together, these artists bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to every workshop.

Youth Art Academy Taster Session: Draw an Owl Eye in Charcoal

Our first taster session will focus on creating a striking owl eye drawing using charcoal.

During the workshop, students will learn:

• How to use charcoal confidently

• Techniques for creating light and shadow

• Blending methods for realistic tonal effects

• Texture and feather detail

• Building a drawing from simple shapes

• Observation and drawing skills used by professional artists

By the end of the session, each participant will leave with a completed piece of artwork and a taste of what the Youth Art Academy will offer in the future.

No previous experience is required.

Why Art Matters for Young People

Art develops far more than drawing skills.

Research consistently shows that creative activities can help young people improve concentration, problem-solving, confidence, resilience and self-expression. Art also provides a valuable opportunity to slow down, focus and experience the satisfaction of creating something unique.

At Olive & Plum, we believe every young person should have access to opportunities that allow them to explore their creativity and discover their potential.

Looking Ahead to Spring 2027

The Youth Art Academy Taster Session is just the beginning.

We are incredibly excited to launch a full Youth Art Academy programme in Spring 2027, offering regular workshops, creative projects and opportunities for young artists to continue developing their skills throughout the year.

Our vision is to create one of the leading opportunities for young artists in Shropshire and the surrounding counties, providing professional tuition in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Art Workshop Details

Youth Art Academy Taster Session – Draw an Owl Eye in Charcoal

Date: Sunday 27th September

Time: 2:00pm – 4:30pm

Venue: Quatt Village Hall, Quatt, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV15 6QN

Age: 11–16 years

Cost: £25

30 places available.

All materials and refreshments included.

Parents and carers are welcome to stay and watch the session or may drop off and collect at the end.

Places are limited and advance booking is recommended.

How to book your place: https://www.oliveandplumretreats.com/event-details/youth-art-academy-taster-session-draw-an-owl-eye-in-charcoal

If your young person loves drawing, creativity, wildlife art or simply wants the opportunity to learn from professional artists, we'd love to welcome them to the Youth Art Academy.