Grow Together: Celebrating Young Artists at Burston Garden Centre

Introduction

On August 3rd, Imaginative Reaction will host its first ever Young Creatives Open Exhibition at the beautiful Burston Garden Centre in St Albans. A vibrant, family-friendly event set to honour young talent, nurture community connection and celebrate the power of art in all its forms.

Why This Event Matters

In a time when young people often struggle to be seen and heard in the mainstream creative world, this event stands as a platform for expression and empowerment.

Every piece will speak to the individuality, courage, and creative voice of the next generation.

What Makes This Event Special?

• A Platform for Young Voices: Open to ages 4–16, the exhibition offers a rare public stage for young artists to exhibit work in a professional setting.

• The First of Its Kind: A pioneering community effort led by a CIC determined to open doors and make creativity accessible to all.

• Family & Community-Focused: Set against the blooming backdrop of Burston Garden Centre, families can enjoy a day of inspiration, nature, and creative exchange.

• Creative Inclusivity: Activities like the drop-in art station, Zed Kay, a Mandala & Sacred Geometry Artist - bringing her beautiful Henna to share for those who wish to become the art! An exclusive live and interactive performance from BoThai! Plus more to announce!

Supporting Young People Beyond the Event

At Imaginative Reaction, we believe the journey doesn’t end after the exhibition. To further support creative and emotional well-being, here are some great resources young people and families can turn to:

For young people in Hertfordshire looking for guidance, support, or creative opportunities, there are a number of excellent resources available.

Herts Mind Network (www.hertsmindnetwork.org) offers free mental health support for children and young people, including drop-in groups and online counselling.

Services for Young People Hertfordshire (www.servicesforyoungpeople.org) provides youth projects, careers guidance, and wellbeing services across the county.

For those looking to develop their creativity further, Herts Visual Arts (www.hvaf.org.uk) is a fantastic community of local artists that welcomes emerging talent. We encourage families, schools, and young people to explore these links and use them as stepping stones on their creative and personal journeys.

Creative Opportunities:

• Arts Award (Trinity College London) – Helps young people develop as artists and creative leaders.

• AccessArt – Creative resources for schools, parents, and young artists.

National Mental Health Support

• YoungMinds – A leading UK charity fighting for young people’s mental health.

• Kooth – Free, safe online mental health support for young people.

• The Mix – Advice and support for under 25s on everything from mental health to relationships and careers.

Looking Ahead:

With your support, Imaginative Reaction plans to grow this into a seasonal programme of creative events — bringing families, schools, and artists together through inclusive arts-led experiences.