Creative Arts Therapy Gathering 2026 (CATG26)

The Creative Arts Therapy Gathering 2026 is a grassroots outdoor gathering celebrating the many ways creativity can support expression, connection, reflection and wellbeing. Rather than a traditional conference filled with presentations and panels, this is an invitation to participate, experience and connect. Throughout the day, The Circle of Trees - Edinburgh Gardens will become a meeting place for creative arts therapists, artists, counsellors, students, educators, wellbeing practitioners and members of the wider community. You might find yourself sitting on a picnic rug making a collage, joining a movement practice beneath the trees, experimenting with art materials, listening to music, sharing a cup of tea, participating in a mindfulness practice or simply having a meaningful conversation with someone you've just met. There is no expectation to be “good at art”. You don't need to be an artist or therapist. You simply need to be curious. 🌿 What to expect The Gathering will feature a changing program of experiential creative offerings facilitated by practitioners from across the creative arts and wellbeing community. Depending on our final program, the day may include experiences across visual art and art therapy, collage, movement and embodiment, music and sound, creative writing, mindfulness and meditation, nature-based practices, tea and contemplative practices, collaborative art-making and other creative modalities. There will also be plenty of space to simply rest, picnic, make art, meet people and enjoy being outdoors. This is a relaxed, BYO-style gathering. We invite you to bring: • A yoga mat for movement, meditation and resting • A picnic lunch and plenty of water • A picnic rug, cushion or anything else that helps you feel comfortable • Your favourite art materials — a sketchbook, journal, pencils, paints, collage materials or whatever you enjoy creating with • Sun protection and weather-appropriate clothing • And, most importantly, your curiosity and willingness to connect Some shared creative materials will also be available throughout the day. Stay for an activity, spend a few hours with us or settle in for the whole day. 🎨 Who is this gathering for? Everyone is welcome. You might be a creative arts therapist wanting to connect with the broader community. You might be studying art therapy, counselling, psychology, social work, education or another helping profession. You might be an artist, musician, movement practitioner, educator or community worker. Or perhaps you're simply someone who knows that making things, moving your body, being outdoors and connecting with other humans can be good for us. The Gathering is an opportunity to encounter different creative practices in an informal and welcoming environment. 🌱 Why a gathering? Creative arts therapies are often experienced behind the closed doors of therapy rooms, schools, hospitals and community organisations. But creativity itself belongs to everyone. The intention behind this Gathering is to create a space where creative and embodied practices can be experienced in community, not only talked about. A place where practitioners from different disciplines can meet one another. Where students can discover possibilities. Where the public can experience creative practices without needing to know anything about creative arts therapy beforehand. And where we can remember something very simple: Humans have always made art, moved, sung, danced, told stories, gathered around food and shared rituals together. Sometimes wellbeing begins with having a place to belong. ☀️ A grassroots gathering This is the first Creative Arts Therapy Gathering, and we're intentionally starting small. It won't be a highly produced wellness festival or a formal professional conference. Think picnic rugs, yoga mats, trees, art materials, conversations, movement, music, cups of tea and people sharing what they love with one another. We hope it feels generous, playful, curious and human. Come with friends. Come with family. Come by yourself and meet someone new. Participate in everything or simply find a comfortable place beneath a tree and take in the atmosphere. 🤲 Want to contribute? We're also inviting expressions of interest from creative arts therapists, artists, students, facilitators, community practitioners and volunteers who would like to help bring the Gathering to life. If you feel drawn to facilitate a creative experience, share a practice, volunteer or contribute in another way, we'd love to hear from you. Please fill in this form if you would like to be involved. https://forms.gle/PkpcMKfG7rzQQ3gCA The Creative Arts Therapy Gathering 2026 Brought together by Art Tearapy Saturday 5 December 2026 Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North 🌿 BYO yoga mat, picnic lunch, picnic rug and your favourite art materials. Come as you are. Make something. Move. Listen. Connect. Rest. And let's see what we can create together. 🌿 Important note The Creative Arts Therapy Gathering is a community wellbeing and creative participation event. While some activities may be facilitated by qualified creative arts therapists or other health and wellbeing practitioners, participation in the Gathering does not constitute individual or group therapy and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Photos and Videos will be taken from promotional and recording purposes, please inform the organising committee if you do not wish to be in any photos or videos.