Fostering Creative Collaboration: A Year of London Creative Jams

Introduction

Embarking on a new chapter of my life after leaving my startup, Factmata, I sought a period of self-reflection and exploration. In January 2022, I ventured to Mexico, eager to contemplate my future endeavors. Alongside the allure of the digital nomad lifestyle, I immersed myself in courses on generative AI art, creative coding, and gaming technology, hoping to unearth a new business idea and foster personal growth. Little did I know that this journey would lead me to a captivating experience of creative collaboration and self-discovery.

A Night of Artistic Revelation

My journey to self-discovery began one Saturday night when a Texan ex-pat I had befriended invited me over for dinner. Far from the typical Saturday night out, she proposed that we stay in and create art together. She had some paints left over, she said, and she would love to offer some drinks to those who stayed. She didn’t, however, have any paintbrushes, but she said, “we’ll make do somehow”. I instantly jumped on the “let’s make art tonight” bandwagon. Adorned in brightly coloured hats and robes from her closet, we gathered around her drawing-room table, armed with an array of flowers, acrylics, and paper. We picked out some old flowers from vases in the house, including some sunflowers, magnolia buds, and chrysanthemums, using the flowers as implements for mark-making and acrylics as our medium.

We proceeded to paint and converse, exploring the unique way we each created our art. Our strokes differed — some of us lightly touching the flower pollen to achieve a sinuous effect, others using stems to create pointy dots, and still, others dabbing flower petals to create beautiful daubed circles. It was a night of revelation — a night to learn about ourselves through the art we created. We continued painting until the early hours of the morning, and by the end, I had found a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the creative process.

As we continued to create our art together, we asked each other questions in an attempt to learn more about one another. It was fascinating to observe how each person’s style of painting reflected their personality. Did the precise, geometric lines of the scientist reflect his appreciation for structure? Did the slow, careful strokes of the girl reflect her perfectionist nature, always trying to do the right thing and people please in her real life? By the end of the evening, we’d become lifelong friends. We shared bedtime stories and made a vow to support and be there for each other as we continued on our respective journeys. I realized that, even if I had spent hundreds of hours with these same people at dinner gatherings, nothing could ever replace those few hours of creativity and collective visioning we had experienced together.

From Mexico to London

Inspired by the transformative power of collaborative art, I yearned to share this experience with others. Returning to my home city of London, I set out to create an environment that would kindle the same profound connection and unleash the boundless creativity within individuals. London, often associated with pubs and passive social activities, lacked opportunities for adults to engage in playful, stimulating endeavors that fostered imaginative thinking. Enlisting the support of four friends, we embarked on a mission to change that.

With no formal roles or established organization, we invited like-minded individuals to join us in the pursuit of creativity and connection. Through a Whatsapp group, we planned our first “creative jam” and formulated our mission. We aimed to bring people from London and beyond together, encouraging them to embrace their inner child and ignite their creative spirits. Our vision was to create a space where adults could revel in wholesome, community-driven experiences, continuously nourishing their minds, and embracing the wonders of lifelong learning.

The Inaugural Jam

Our first creative jam took place on a Saturday afternoon in my spacious flat in Stoke Newington. Equipped with tarpaulin sheets to protect the space, we gathered an assortment of art supplies, from paintbrushes and acrylic paints to scissors and collage paper. Guided by the talented artist and teacher Lucy De Roeper, we delved into the world of painting, allowing our thoughts and inspirations to flow onto the canvas. We read the group a simple poem to start the day, Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Foreign Lands”. Throughout the day, we shared stories, sipped tea, and marveled at each other’s creations. The jam concluded with a profound sense of fulfillment and warmth, leaving us eager for more.

Building a Community: Expanding the Movement

Since that weekend, we have hosted 10 other “creative jams”. These ranged from glass painting, hosted by an architect cum colourist Loreto Ramon-Solens Briales, to exploring generative AI/DALL-E with hypnagogic dream states (hosted by me).

Each jam has had 15–20 attendees and has been self-organising. For example, in one, one of our organisers ordered a bunch of moulding clay online, and participants had to bring a wine bottle. The creative jam consisted of people moulding faces of goblins, gnomes, gargoyles, giraffes, imaginary friends and much more and sticking them on top. In another memorable jam, Emily Spaul organised an Indian ink art jam where about 10 friends sat together and used horse and goat hair brushes to play with this extremely simple but effective medium that resembles watercolor.

What I learned from the Creative Jams

Through these creative jams, I have come to realize the immense power of letting go, embracing vulnerability, and embracing the joy of creation. These events offer an opportunity to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and revel in the process of self-expression. I firmly believe that by nurturing our creative spirits and fostering a mindset of openness, we can overcome societal challenges and ignite positive change. As we enter an era where rigidity and isolation prevail, it is crucial to rekindle the childlike wonder within ourselves and encourage others to do the same. By providing spaces for adults to come together, explore their dreams, and unlock their imagination, we can shape a future where human potential knows no bounds.

Conclusion

My personal project journey has been a testament to the transformative power of creativity and collaboration. From a spontaneous night of artistry in Mexico to the birth of London Creative Jams, this endeavor has enriched my life and connected me with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. As I continue to nurture this movement, I am excited to witness the profound impact that creativity can have on personal growth, community building, and the world at large.