Street Art Workshop with Dartmouth Academy – July 2026
Jody Thomas is a Bristol based artist and designer who began painting in 1988 at the now infamous Barton Hill Youth Club in Bristol alongside other Bristol artists: Inkie, Cheo and Banksy. Last week Jody joined students at Dartmouth Academy for two days to run an intensive masterclass in creating their own street art inspired canvas. Over 30 pupils learnt skills with spray-paint, made their own stencils and then decorated an original canvas with their creations.
‘It was such a pleasure to collaborate with Dartmouth Academy for a two-day street art masterclass with celebrated Bristol Street Artist Jody Thomas. There was such a buzz of excitement in the air. I was blown away by the student's enthusiasm, and by the calibre of dynamic artwork produced by year 9 and 10 students.’
Verity Courtney-Mitchell - Trustee for Community Engagement.
Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:
"It was fantastic to see our students embrace the opportunity to work with Jody Thomas and explore different spray-painting techniques to further develop their skills. Experiences like this inspire creativity and allow students to learn directly from practising artists. We are incredibly grateful to The Flavel Arts Centre for making this workshop possible.”
Dartmouth DJs learn from The Depo.
For eight weeks Townstal Community Hall has been pulsing with the beats from our free music production and DJing course. Thanks to a generous grant from The Hadley Trust, we have been collaborating with award winning music venue and studios in Plymouth called The Depo.
Across alternative weeks Ten young people have been enjoying themselves getting to grips with industry level equipment. They have learnt confidence on the decks, mixing multiple tracks and using headphones, beatmatching basics and timing.
While also creating their own unique music, building a track from scratch, learning to lay down basslines, melodies and rhythm, recording vocals and experimenting with sound loops.
The participants have learnt very fast and really enjoyed the freedom to experiment and gain new skills
One participant said ‘I really enjoyed it. I got the opportunity to use expensive equipment and learn new skills’
Another said ‘I want to know how to get a gig now – I’d like to set up in business as a DJ and take it seriously’
Working with the Flavel has been a great pleasure over the last eight weeks. Each session felt like a success where the students seemed to be inspired and leave with new knowledge in the subjects – Fred Couzens – DEPO studios
It was great to see people grow in confidence each week and they really enjoyed playing their playlists to everyone on the final session. DEPO studios were brilliant in terms of their professionalism and bringing along industry standard equipment – Michael Sells – Head of Programming
This course was free thanks to support from The Hadley Trust and was presented in partnership with DYG and Dartmouth Academy. Our next creative outreach project will take place in July at Dartmouth Academy where students will get to work with world famous Graffiti artist Jody Thomas
And don’t forget to check out the Exhibition of Academy students work in our Gallery from June 22nd.
https://www.thedepostudios.com/
The Flavel is recruiting trustees.
As The Flavel marks first anniversary of its Flavel Forever business and change program, it is looking for three new trustees to help shape the future of the 20 years old Arts and Community Centre.
The Flavel, now celebrating 20 years as Dartmouth’s arts and community centre, is seeking volunteers to join its Board and contribute to shaping the future of the charity. Each of the new Trustees will bring expertise in one of three areas — Compliance, HR and People Matters, and Community Engagement and Social Inclusion.
Ian Downing, Chair of The Flavel, said, “Over the past year we have established an effective board of Trustees, but changes in personnel mean that these critical roles need to be replaced.
“Over the past year we’ve established an effective and engaged Board, but changes in personnel mean these key roles now need to be filled. Our trustee model is ‘engaged and focused’, meaning each trustee works closely with the management team, staff and volunteers to provide guidance in their area and ensure best practice across the organisation.”
Applicants will be expected to have experience in their area of focus, and to live within reach of Dartmouth, so they can attend the regular trustee meetings. Descriptions for each of the roles are now on the recruitment section of The Flavel website and interested applicants should send their details to Ian Downing, Iand@Theflavel.org.uk
PAUL SMITH’S TORS CHALLENGE - CLIMB 200 TORS & RAISE £35,000 FOR FLAVEL FOREVER
We invite all adventure enthusiasts and community supporters to back Paul Smith, a trustee of The Flavel Arts Centre, as he takes on the challenge of climbing 200 Dartmoor tors by May 2026.
Paul’s goal: to raise £35,000 for the Flavel Forever campaign, a fundraising effort launched in 2024 to secure the future of the Flavel Arts Centre. As Dartmouth’s only dedicated arts and community venue, the volunteer-led Flavel Centre is a vital cultural hub that deserves long-term backing. Supporting the ‘200 Tors Challenge’ means preserving a vital cultural cornerstone that enhances Dartmouth’s shared identity and sense of belonging.
THE 200 TORS CHALLENGE
As a trustee of The Flavel Arts Centre in Dartmouth, Paul has been part of shaping a new business plan to secure its future. Between May and September 2024, Paul began walking the Tors of Dartmoor a personal journey inspired by both a love for the landscape and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the community. It became clear to Paul that his passion for exploring Dartmoor’s Tors coupled with a commitment to supporting The Flavel were intrinsically linked. In a very real sense, this mission is about taking purposeful steps both literally and figuratively towards a stronger, more vibrant future for our community.
My goal is to reach 200 Tors by May 2026, and raise £35,000, an additional 102 tors. To date, I have climbed and logged 98 Tors.
To Support Paul: Every donation, big or small, helps secure the Flavel’s future please consider giving what you can.
Spread the word: Share the campaign on social media and encourage others to donate. Use #200torschallenge in your posts.
Fundraise yourself: Take on your own walking challenge and set up a linked JustGiving page. There are rewards for reaching 25, 50, 75 and 100 tors. Every step helps them reach £35,000
Visit: https://tinyurl.com/4dswfrsr
New Leader at the Flavel
The Flavel Trustees are delighted to confirm that they have appointed Michael Sells to be the Flavel’s new Head of Programming and Operations.
Michael has a wealth of experience in managing Arts Centre programmes, buildings and projects, some on a national scale. The Trustees were particularly impressed by his ability to design programmes for audiences the Flavel is looking to develop. Most recently, Michael had a successful season with a range of family entertainment, while working at Dartington. He has also had extensive experience working with youth groups, including developing workshops and courses for young people to learn music and DJing skills. The Flavel Forever business plan is ambitious and includes all parts of Dartmouth’s diverse community, and Michael has lead projects working with groups including children in schools, people in care-homes, as well as with those with no experience of the Arts. As a writer and director himself, he has a passion for live theatre comedy and events, and so can also guide and support young emerging artists’ work.
Michael said, I am honoured to be taking on the responsibility for the Flavel in its 20th anniversary year, and I’m looking forward to working with the whole Flavel Family to ensure it remains at the heart of the local community and entertainment scene. My priority is firstly the teams that deliver for us all: the staff and volunteers: I will be listening to their concerns and discussing their ideas for the future. I will also be meeting as many representatives and leaders within the community as I can, to see how the Flavel can give them what they are looking for.
Ian Downing, Chair said: Michael impressed us with his body of work for a wide range of communities and his experience of managing and delivering across a wide range of arts and entertainment. On behalf of the Flavel team, I wish him a long and happy relationship with Dartmouth and the Flavel.
