When Art Is Cut, Creativity Finds Another Way - Afro-Psychedelic Workshop Session with Jasmin Iss
Jasmin Issaka
Why Community Arts Festivals Like Didsbury Matter More Than Ever
If you’ve been paying attention to education headlines lately, you’ll know this uncomfortable truth: art, creativity, and expressive subjects are being steadily cut from mainstream schools. Budgets are shrinking. Curriculums are tightening. And the very things that help young people think critically, express themselves emotionally, and build confidence are often the first to go.
That’s exactly why I choose to show up in my local community—facilitating creative workshops that give children, adults, and families permission to explore, play, and express themselves freely.
Before Christmas, I had the absolute joy of getting involved with Didsbury Arts Festival, delivering an Afro-Psychedelic Tote Bag Workshop for kids and their well-behaved grown-ups—and honestly? It reminded me why this work matters so deeply.
Why Community Art Spaces Are Essential (Not Optional)
When art disappears from schools, it doesn’t just affect creativity—it impacts mental health, emotional regulation, social skills, and confidence.
Community-led creative opportunities like Didsbury Arts Festival step into that gap beautifully. They create spaces where:
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🎨 Children develop creative critical thinking
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💬 Families connect through shared making
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💛 Self-expression supports emotional wellbeing
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🤝 Social engagement happens naturally
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🧠 Mental health is nurtured through play and colour
For me, this isn’t theoretical—it’s personal.
Art gave me self-esteem when I didn’t have it, social confidence when I struggled to connect, and eventually a resourceful, sustainable creative career. I owe my life—and my livelihood—to creative expression. That’s why I actively engage in community workshops, facilitation, and arts education whenever I can.
The Afro-Psychedelic Tote Bag Workshop: What We Created Together
This workshop invited children (and their grown-ups) to design and paint their own tote bags using bold Afro-psychedelic patterns, colours, and symbols.
So… what is Afro-psychedelic?
It’s my signature visual language—a fusion of African-inspired motifs, expressive colour, and psychedelic rhythm. It celebrates identity, joy, heritage, imagination, and freedom. There’s no “right” or “wrong”—just exploration, intuition, and fun.
During the workshop, participants were encouraged to:
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Experiment with colour and pattern
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Express mood and personality visually
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Build confidence in their creative decisions
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Collaborate, share ideas, and support one another
The energy in the room was vibrant, curious, and full of laughter—exactly how learning should feel.
Working With the Didsbury Arts Festival Team
It was an absolute pleasure working with the Didsbury Arts Festival team—especially Sam, who helped set up the event and made the whole process smooth, welcoming, and genuinely supportive.
When organisers truly value artists and facilitators, it shows—and it creates better experiences for everyone involved. I’m incredibly grateful for the care, communication, and warmth behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead: More Art, More Community, More Colour
I’m really looking forward to being part of the main Didsbury Arts Festival and continuing to support creative opportunities that bring people together across generations.
🎟️ If you’d like to sign up for the festival, you can find more information here:
👉 https://didsburyartsfestival.org
🎨 If you’re interested in hiring me for:
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Community art workshops
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School or youth-focused creative sessions
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Family-friendly festival activities
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Afro-psychedelic pattern or painting workshops
You can contact me directly at:
📧 hello@jasminissaka.com
🌐 Explore my full range of creative services at:
👉 www.jasminissaka.com
📱 And keep up with my creative adventures here:
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky — @jasminissaka