Open for Art 2026:Creative writing workshop

Come and explore the theme of ‘reflect’ by playing with words in this creative writing workshop. All welcome, no experience of creative writing necessary. Helen will lead the group through some creative writing exercises/prompts and sharing your writing with the group will be optional.

This will be a 90-minute long session for a maximum of 12 adults. Please bring whatever you prefer to write on or with, e.g. pen and paper or laptop.

This workshop is for adults.

All the events at the Open for Art Festival are free to attend, there is an option to add a donation to help support the festival if you would like to and feel able to.

If you can no longer attend please let us know as places are limted and we can offer your space to someone else.

About the artist

Helen Mugleston-Dahlke has a degree in creative writing and previously ran the Jelly Writers group, including leading on their Open for Art 2019 project ‘The Serpent’s Tale’. She writes creatively as her artistic practice and has led multiple creative writing workshops for children and adults.

OPEN FOR ART

19 JUNE - 28 JUNE 2026

REFLECT This year marks 10 years of Open for Art — a decade of artists, makers, communities, ideas and shared experiences in Reading’s largest town centre creative festival. As we celebrate this milestone, our theme invites everyone to pause and consider how creativity emerges from people coming together — experimenting, making, and reflecting. Our theme for 2026 is REFLECT.

For 10 days, we’re inviting Reading to slow down and seek out pop-up art in shops and businesses, encounter artists as they work, take part in creative sessions, and join conversations about how reflection shapes artistic practice.

Come and REFLECT with us this summer.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Jelly