A TAVISTOCK workshop which encourages people to appreciate nature and the world around them through art is celebrating its tenth birthday.

The workshop 'Under the Sky' was founded by Jennie Hale in 2002, and is a not-for-profit community group of artists and scientists.

The project was supported by the late David Measures, and Juliann Spalding the chairman of the Ruskin Society, to encourage everyone to draw and paint and learn about the world through creativity and observation.

Jennie told the Times: 'Over the last ten years we have worked with a great many partners , like the Forestry Commission, the National Trust, the University of Plymouth, Dartmoor National Park Authority and many more.

'People have come from all around the area and further afield to participate.'

Such has been its success that it has won awards from Awards for All, English Nature, the Dartmoor Sustainability fund and the Forestry Commission.

A book of contributors' insect drawings from its project 'A Forest Full of Bugs' has been exhibited at the Royal Entomological National Conference and at the National Butterfly Conservation Centre.

Jennie has been invited to speak about 'Workshop Under the Sky' at the national forest schools conference.

On Saturday (October 6) the workshop will be Running the Big Draw for Tavistock in its yurt on Bedford Square and everyone is welcome to join in the drawing party.

For more information visit the website http://www.workshopunder">www.workshopunder

thesky.co.uk