Welcome to The Present Page
The Present Page is a free digital course exploring journalling as a creative practice through words, drawing, storytelling, listening and movement.
Originally developed as a series of six sold-out workshops for Berwick Literary Festival, The Present Page invites you to slow down, notice more closely, and discover simple creative practices that can be woven into everyday life. Whether you already keep a journal, write regularly, or are simply curious about finding new ways to reflect, each session offers a gentle introduction led by an experienced artist-practitioner.
There is no right way to take part. You might choose to explore the sessions in order, dip into the practices that most appeal, or return to them whenever you need a little space to pause, notice and create.
If you'd like to learn more about the ambitions of the initive, head to Session 1 with Anna Chapman.
With thanks to Create Berwick, Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority for supporting The Present Page programme.
Practice 1: Anna Chapman Parker, From Writing into Drawing
Welcome to the first practice in The Present Page.
In this session, artist and writer Anna Chapman Parker, invites you to explore journalling as a gentle, everyday creative practice. Beginning with simple writing exercises and gradually moving into drawing, you'll discover how words, marks and observation can work together to help you slow down, notice more closely, and reflect on your experience.
There is no right or wrong way to approach these activities. Whether you write every day, have never kept a journal before, or don't think of yourself as someone who draws, this practice is simply an invitation to become curious about what happens when you spend a little time paying attention.
Practice 2: Kate Temple, Drawing with Mind & Body
In this practice, visual artist Kate Temple, invites you to approach drawing not as a skill to master, but as a way of paying attention. Through a series of simple, playful exercises, you'll explore how making marks on the page can help quiet the mind, connect you with the present moment, and encourage curiosity about the world around you.
Using everyday objects, repeated patterns and gentle observation, Kate encourages us to let go of ideas of "good drawing" and instead discover drawing as a regular creative practice that can be both grounding and generative. Whether you're completely new to drawing or have an established practice, these exercises offer an opportunity to slow down, notice more closely, and enjoy the process of making.
Practice 3: Chris Adriaanse, Storytelling & Personal Narrative
Storyteller, Chris Adriaanse, invites us to consider the stories that shape our everyday lives. Some are the stories we tell others, while others are the quiet narratives we carry about ourselves, our worries and our future. Through a series of thoughtful journalling exercises, this practice explores how writing can help us notice these stories, reflect on the ones that no longer serve us, and choose more consciously which ones we want to live under.
Combining insights from storytelling, psychology and reflective writing, Chris offers practical tools for untangling anxious thoughts, closing "open loops" and reframing worries into intentions. Rather than seeking perfect answers, this practice encourages curiosity, perspective and a greater sense of agency through the simple act of putting words on the page.
Practice 4: Lucy Baxandall, Journalling & the Book
In this practice, artist and papermaker Lucy Baxandall, invites you to create a journal that is as individual as the thoughts it will hold. Through simple bookbinding techniques, you'll make a handmade journal with pockets, folded pages and space to collect writing, drawings, keepsakes and memories, creating a book that can grow alongside your own creative practice.
As you make your journal, Lucy reflects on how the physical act of creating a book can foster a deeper sense of connection with the creative process itself. Rather than simply choosing a notebook from a shelf, you'll create a place that feels uniquely your own: a welcoming home for ideas, observations and the small details of everyday life. Whether you use it as a journal, sketchbook, travel diary or creative scrapbook, this practice celebrates the book as both an object and a companion to reflection.
Practice 5: Martin Parker, Letting Your Ears Wander
In this practice, composer and sonic artist Martin Parker, invites you to experience journalling through listening. Beginning with the simple act of paying attention to the sounds that surround us every day, you'll discover how listening can become a creative practice in its own right, opening up new ways of noticing, reflecting and recording the world around you.
Through a series of gentle listening exercises, Martin explores the difference between hearing and listening, encouraging you to tune into sound with greater curiosity and intention. Along the way, you'll experiment with mapping sound through words and marks on the page, discovering that journalling doesn't always begin with writing. Sometimes, it begins by simply listening.
Practice 6: Chloë Sayers, Writing & Movement
The final practice in The Present Page invites you to explore the relationship between movement, the body and writing. Led by interdisciplinary artist and choreographer Chloë Sayers, this session encourages you to slow down, tune into physical sensation, and discover how movement can become a starting point for reflection and creative expression.
Through a series of simple, playful exercises, you'll be invited to move in whatever way feels right for your body before allowing words to emerge naturally onto the page. Rather than beginning with ideas or analysis, this practice starts with sensation, curiosity and presence, offering a different way of noticing yourself and the stories your body might already be telling.
If you've enjoyed our Present Page series, consider donating
The Present Page was created by Berwick Literary Festival and Anna Chapman Parker with funding from Create Berwick, Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority, enabling us to offer these workshops free of charge.
If you've found this series enjoyable and would like to support more creative opportunities like this in Berwick and beyond, we'd be very grateful for a donation of any size.
Every contribution helps us develop new workshops, commission artists and writers, and create free resources that connect more people with stories and creativity.