Unfurl. Express. Belong.
Creative spaces where young people reclaim their voice through art.
About Us
Our Approach
‘I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say in any other way – things I had no words for’ – Georgia O’Keeffe
Welcome to The Expressive Art Project.
We offer expressive arts sessions rooted in autonomy, curiosity, and the therapeutic power of creativity.
Our approach is strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming, inviting young people to reconnect with their inner voice through self-directed art making. Whether in Art Den – a gentle, consent-led space supporting children transitioning from school- or in our Open Studio designed for home educated young people, inspired by the Room 13 model, we hold space for exploration, self-expression, and wild creativity.
We use a range of visual art materials with an overall ethos of sustainability, for example using recycled or natural materials wherever possible.
Our sessions aim to be flexible enough to allow self-direction, but within a ‘held’ space to prevent overwhelm. We always take our cues from the people we work with, and in this way our sessions are fluid and intuitive.
Disclaimer: Our sessions are not psychotherapy. They are also not art classes. Instead we provide creative spaces where young people can relax, feel heard and experience community.
Who We Are
The Expressive Art Project is led by Sarah Esau. Sarah is an ex-primary school teacher & SENco who home-educated her children for all of their ‘school’ years rooted in a consent-based ethos.
Sarah is qualified as a Youth Mental Health First Aider and completed an 18 month certification in Initiatic Art Therapy with The Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy. She has a particular interest in the integration of expressive arts with eco therapy.
Sarah has three decades of experience working with young people of all ages in a variety of settings and holds an up to date Enhanced DBS. She is a member of IEATA (International Expressive Arts Therapy Association) and is working towards her REACE professional credential portfolio.
Our Sessions
Open Studio
- Suitable for all home educated young people
- These sessions are not overtly therapeutic – instead they are experimental, playful, self-directed and person centred – and in this way they naturally support wellbeing.
- ‘Art invitations’ are offered based on what participants would like to try, alternatively participants may bring along their own project to work on.
- Sessions may be one-offs or on-going; indoor or outdoor; based on individual or collaborative projects.
Art Den
- Suitable for EOTAS or EHE young people recently de-registered from school and who are in the de-schooling process or are experiencing ‘burn out’.
- We use person centred, trauma informed expressive arts as a therapeutic tool to achieve our aims of rest, rejuvenation and reconnection.
- We are a neuro-diversity affirming space with expertise and experience of working with those who think, feel and express themselves in unique ways.
- Sessions are focused and are delivered in 6- week blocks. They are bespoke & built with the individual participants in mind.
Testimonials
What People Say
‘Sarah has inspired my kids to love art and be kinder to themselves for nearly 10 years. If you’re looking for a supportive art mentor or facilitator, who really listens and enables young people to find their voice and confidence, Sarah is ideal.’ – Melanie, parent
‘Sarah is really inspiring, kind and open-minded. She inspires me to use art to manage my stress and it’s really helping with my A-levels.‘ – Maia, A-level student
‘Sarah works wonderfully with young people – she is endlessly patient and flexible enough to allow them to follow their own creative pathways, which makes her sessions very meaningful for the participants.’ – Christine, parent
News
Recent Projects
NEW! We will soon be announcing a 6-week pilot of Art Den. Please check back in the coming weeks for further information.
‘You can’t sit around and wait for somebody to say who you are. You have to write it and paint it and do it‘ – Faith Ringgold.
The Expressive Art Project 