Elements of Nature is a collaborative arts project by Left Bank Leeds, bringing together early-career artists, local communities, and the natural environment. Inspired by 12 natural elements—Earth, Water, Light, Shadow, Time, and more— selected artists and participants co-create new artworks through workshops, outdoor exploration, and creative experimentation. The final works will be showcased in a public exhibition at Left Bank Leeds in November 2025.

This project is funded by Leeds Inspired & Leeds City Council as part of their Grow Cultural development program.

Meet the Artist: Ellie Dawes

Ellie Dawes is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice focuses on mixed-media painting and drawing, as well as photography and video work. Her art blends abstraction and representational elements, creating vibrant, visually layered pieces inspired by identity, digital culture, colour, myth, and the surrounding world.

She is particularly interested in exploring community collaboration and creating work that is playful, visually rich, and emotionally engaging. Ellie’s practice frequently combines analogue and digital methods, encouraging participants to experiment and to see their own creativity reflected back in surprising new ways.

Element: Earth
Project Focus: Ellie’s project invites the community to co-create a collaborative animated film that explores what “Earth” means to them. Using mixed-media animation techniques, participants will create hand-painted frames, collage elements, and sound recordings that will come together to form a hopeful, uplifting film celebrating the local community and its connection to nature.

Workshop: Collaborative Animation & Soundscapes

Join Ellie for a playful, hands-on workshop where participants will create frames for a collaborative animated film and contribute to a soundscape that brings the work to life.

Workshop Structure (all ages welcome):

• Introduction - Ellie introduces the project, shares examples of her work, and explains the process and outcome. Participants see how their contributions will become part of a moving image.
  
  
• Frame Creation – Each participant is given printed video frames to paint, draw, collage, or cut into, introducing them to the animation process. Ellie provides guidance and shows participants how to quickly preview their frames in motion.
  
  
• Creative Stations (open for remainder of session):
  
  
  • Animation Station: Continue creating additional frames using contact sheets.
    
    
  • Sound Recording Area: Using prompt cards, participants record words or sounds, that respond to the theme of Earth. These will be layered into a collaborative soundscape.
    
    
  • Backdrop-Making Area: Participants contribute to backdrop elements for the final film display, using mixed-media materials.
    
    

Ellie ensures that participants can move freely between stations, working at their own pace and choosing the tasks that interest them most. Assistants will be available to support participants throughout the session.

Participants are encouraged to bring found ephemera or natural objects from their local area to incorporate into the work. This could be a found feather, your favourite leaf or just something you found on a walk.

🗓 Date & Time: [Insert date & time]
📍 Location: Left Bank Leeds
🎟 Cost: Free (please reserve a ticket to secure a place)
👥 Who Can Join: Open to all ages (no animation experience needed)

What to Expect:

• Create hand-crafted frames for a collaborative animation
  
  
• Experiment with drawing, painting, collage, and sound recording
  
  
• See your work come to life in motion and contribute to a film that will be publicly exhibited
  
  

✨ Come curious! This is a chance to collaborate, explore new techniques, and help create a joyful community artwork.

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