Salt Marsh Summer School
Creative workshops by the River Adur, inspired by nature and open to all.
This summer, come and enjoy a range of inspiring, nature-filled art workshops with Seana Mallen at Salt Marsh Studio in Shoreham by Sea. See them all HERE.
Salt Marsh Studio is a place to slow down, get curious, and reconnect with both nature and your creativity. Set on the banks of the River Adur, within a beautiful stretch of salt marsh and protected SSSI, it’s an ever-changing landscape of big skies, glowing sunsets, birds, wildflowers and shifting tides.
Most sessions start with a stroll along the river, where we wander, gather ideas, (& sometimes wildflowers and grasses…), or simply take in the view. It’s all about loosening up, looking more closely, and enjoying the experience.
A mix of relaxed, inspiring classes run throughout the summer—from watercolour and drawing to botanical gelli printing and nature journalling. You can dip into one or try a few—each workshop is a little different, and all are designed to be welcoming, accessible and fun.
The Sundowner Series is a special highlight: easy-going Wednesday evening classes with a glass of wine in hand, as the sun sets over the river, enjoying that golden-hour atmosphere with good company.
June 10: Weeds and Wildflowers in Watercolour. £30
June 17 : Birds of the Salt Marsh in Watercolour, with Wine! £30
June 24: Prosecco & Print- Botanical Gelli-Printing, Printing directly from plants, Without a Press. £35
July 8: Sunset on the River Adur, with Shimmer and Sparkle. £30
Or treat yourself to a day on the river in one of the all-day workshops. They include all materials, a yummy vegetarian lunch with wine, and coffees, teas, and treats throughout the day. Just show up and enjoy. It's a nature and creativity retreat!
Thursday, June 18: Salt Marsh Nature Journal
An All-Day Retreat, an introduction to Nature Journalling, working in a concertina sketchbook. Draw to learn about the wonderful wildlife of the Adur SSSI. Includes a concertina sketchbook and a set of brilliant watercolours for you to keep. £90.
Tuesday, June 23: Watercolour Magic
A day of play, splashy experimentation and colour with lots of tips and tricks for painting nature in watercolour with your own artistic voice. Includes all materials and quality watercolour paper and a set of brilliant watercolours for you to keep, £90.
Thursday, June 25: Gelli-Plate Workshop: Printing from Nature (Without a Press)
Print directly from leaves and grasses to create colourful and detailed artworks, no drawing needed!
Includes all materials £90.
Saturday, June 27 : Salt Marsh Nature Journal
An introduction to Nature Journalling, working in a concertina sketchbook. Draw to learn about the wonderful wildlife of the Adur SSSI. Includes a concertina sketchbook and a set of brilliant watercolours for you to keep, £90.
It’s the same format as on June 18, with a focus on some different plants and birds. Can be taken on its own or to develop from June 18.
"Draw to Learn, Learn to Draw": A 4-Week Nature Journaling Course
Mondays, June 15, 22, 29, and July 6 2026 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
A lively 4-week nature journalling course on the banks of the River Adur—discover the birds, weeds, and wildflowers of the salt marsh through sketching and painting.
Slow down, develop your artist’s eye and bring your pages to life with expressive drawing and watercolour.
If you’ve ever said, “I wish I could draw”and love nature, this is the course for you!
All materials (watercolour supplies and 2 sketchbooks) teas, coffees and biscuits included for £150
Mixed-Media & Gelli-Print Collage: A 2-day Weekend Workshop
Saturday and Sunday, July 4 & 5, 10am- 4 pm
Paint, print, forage, and collage your way through a joyful two days inspired by the salt marsh, including all materials and lunch with wine.
It’s a relaxed, all-levels workshop and you’ll leave with a finished canvas and a sketchbook full of ideas. £180
Each workshop is a chance to slow down, connect with the beauty of the riverside, and enjoy making art in a friendly, supportive atmosphere—no experience needed, just curiosity and enthusiasm.
Seana has an MA in drawing and many years of experience as a professional artist and teacher, including teaching on cruise ships, at university and in adult education, but she loves teaching here best of all! Moving to Shoreham a few years ago has had a huge impact on her own artwork and set her on a new path of Nature Journaling and connecting to nature through sketchbooks. She loves to draw and paint, and to share her enthusiasm with artists at all stages of their creative journeys.
She believes that everyone CAN draw. Everyone has a unique creative spark that sometimes just needs a little kindling. Nothing pleases her more than seeing my students blossom and thrive.
Open your artist’s eye and make your colours sing!
Come be inspired and release your creative spirit.
You'll be amazed by what you can create!