OUR STORY...

The Creative Workshop Coaches was born from a simple belief: creative people have so much more to offer than the work they make.

For years we've seen incredibly talented artists and makers wanting to teach workshops, share their skills and connect with others, but often feeling unsure where to begin. From planning sessions and pricing workshops to marketing, safeguarding, managing groups and building confidence as a facilitator, there are so many skills that aren't taught at art school.

We created The Creative Workshop Coaches to change that.

Drawing on decades of combined experience delivering workshops in schools, galleries, community organisations, festivals, museums, charities and creative venues, we help artists transform their passion into engaging, well-designed creative experiences.

Our approach combines practical knowledge with real-world experience. We understand both the creative and business sides of running workshops because we've done it ourselves. We've made the mistakes, refined our methods and built successful workshop programmes, and now we're passionate about sharing what we've learned with others.

Whether you're preparing to teach your very first workshop or looking to grow an established creative teaching practice, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Because when creative people feel confident to teach, they don't just build stronger businesses—they inspire others, strengthen communities and ensure valuable creative skills are passed on to future generations.

That's the heart of The Creative Workshop Coaches.

Meet the team....

Three different journeys, one shared purpose...

We each came to creative learning from a different place, but we all arrived at the same belief: creativity is one of the most powerful ways to connect, build confidence and bring people together.

Together, we bring experience as artists, educators, therapists, facilitators and cultural leaders. We've worked in studios, schools, galleries, community settings and organisations across the UK, supporting people of all ages to discover the confidence to create and share their skills.

The Creative Workshop Coaches was born from that shared passion. We know that becoming a great workshop leader isn't just about artistic ability—it's about encouraging others, creating welcoming spaces and believing that what you have to offer matters.

Whether you're taking your first steps into teaching or looking to grow your workshop practice, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Penny Dixon

Melissa Keskinkilinc

Amy Dalton-Hardy

Penny Dixon

Creating spaces where creativity can slow us down and bring us together.

Penny believes that some of the most meaningful moments happen when our hands are busy making.

Inspired by the colours, textures and quiet rhythms of the natural world, her textile practice centres on handmade felt, weaving and natural fibres. Her work celebrates the beauty of slow making, inviting people to pause, notice and reconnect through creativity.

Alongside her studio practice, Penny has worked extensively in community settings, supporting people through times of change, reflection and loss. With a Master's in Art, Health and Wellbeing, she creates thoughtful and welcoming creative experiences where people feel safe to explore, learn and connect.

In every workshop, Penny encourages curiosity over perfection, believing that confidence grows naturally when people are given time, encouragement and the freedom to enjoy the creative process.

"Creativity grows through connection, and making together reminds us that the journey is just as valuable as the finished piece."

Melissa Keskinkilinc

Helping people discover confidence through creativity.

For Melissa, creativity has always been about people.

Whether she's creating contemporary glass in her studio, supporting someone through art psychotherapy or leading a community workshop, her focus has always been the same: helping people discover confidence through making.

As the founder of Melissa's Melting Pot, Melissa combines her professional studio practice with many years of experience in education, therapeutic settings and community arts. Her work has taken her into schools, galleries, festivals, charities and community projects, where she has seen first-hand how creativity can bring people together, support wellbeing and transform the way people see themselves.

Melissa understands that teaching can feel daunting, even for experienced artists. That's why she loves helping creative people discover that they already have something valuable to share.

"The best workshops aren't about making perfect artwork. They're about helping people leave believing they're more creative than they thought."

Amy Dalton-Hardy

Helping creative ideas become lasting opportunities.

Amy has spent her career helping creative ideas grow into meaningful opportunities for artists, organisations and communities.

With more than twenty years' experience in the cultural sector, she specialises in strategy, organisational development, mentoring and partnership building, supporting creative people to turn ideas into sustainable careers and organisations.

As one of the directors of The Creative Workshop Coaches CIC, Amy helped shape the organisation from its earliest conversations, bringing the strategic vision needed to turn a shared idea into a thriving community of support for artists.

Passionate about inclusion and collaboration, Amy believes that creativity has the power to strengthen communities, create opportunity and inspire positive change. She loves helping artists recognise the value of their experience and giving them the confidence to share it with others.

"When artists are supported to share what they know, the impact reaches far beyond the workshop itself."

Why we work together...

People often ask what makes The Creative Workshop Coaches different.

The answer is simple.

We each bring something different to the table.

Melissa brings the perspective of a practising artist, educator and art psychotherapist, helping people understand how creativity can build confidence and meaningful connections.

Penny brings a thoughtful approach rooted in making, wellbeing and the belief that creativity flourishes when people feel safe, supported and encouraged to explore.

Amy brings strategic thinking, mentoring and organisational development, helping artists build sustainable creative practices and turn ideas into action.

Together, we combine creativity, education and strategy to support artists in every stage of their workshop journey—from finding the confidence to begin, to creating inspiring experiences and developing a sustainable creative career.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse