Storytelling & Art Weekend at the Chateau

Maria Credali, storyteller and artist.

Maria is a mixed media artist using collage, gouache, ink and  watercolour. Her own work is mainly based upon animals, inspired by her degree in zoology. Her interactive solo exhibition “Once upon a Time” received much praise and she regularly teaches art workshops to people of all ages in beautiful venues such as Tamworth castle, museums and heritage sites. She also works as a creative mentor using the arts to increase confidence and communication in disadvantaged young people. 

Maria tells traditional and contemporary stories with a warm, engaging, and intimate style. She will leave you with a warm heart and smile on your face. Her storytelling has been described as spellbinding, mesmerising, humorous and entertaining. Maria creates a safe, warm and welcoming atmosphere whenever she tells – the perfect place to let your imagination run free as you listen. 

Maria has been commissioned to tell stories for The Royal Shakespeare Company, Festival at the Edge, Toronto, Galway Moth and Butterfly, Listowel and Montreal and Marrakech International Storytelling festivals and many beautiful heritage venues. She has also featured at Stafford and Wolverhampton Literary Festivals and delivered workshops and talks for The Society for Storytelling, the Storytellers in Schools forum, and The Mighty Creatives “Sharing Creative Practice”  forum.  She performed to sold out shows in Yarn Storytelling Festival 2024 in Ireland. 

Reviews

“Joyous, beautiful, inspiring and poetic.” Taffy Thomas MBE, Storytelling Laureate. 

 “Storytelling gold” Lisa Schneidau, Devon Storytellers. 

“Glorious - an irresistible combination that drew the packed house into a vivid world of story” Alastair Daniel. 

"Maria is such a lovely warm and genuine person with whom I felt instantly comfortable. The workshop was the best I have ever done. I learned that I am actually capable of painting. Maria made it so easy to follow and encouraged us all to achieve and praised our achievements. Her story telling was fascinating. I didn’t want it to end”. Julie Lloyd.  May 2024

“It was the art/craft part of the workshop that attracted me originally but learning about the origins of the Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella stories added an extra dimension to the workshop and made it extra special! I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and the stories, and Maria is so personable and a very patient teacher!” Amanda Skipp. July 2024

Saturday 9 – 12 The Red Cloak.

 A storytelling and watercolour art workshop for adults exploring one of our most enduring fairy tales. 

Join professional storyteller and artist Maria Credali for a relaxing art workshop where you will learn how to use water colours to create your own version of Little Red Riding Hood's misty forest.  You will create two versions of you painting to take home and frame. 

No experience is necessary - Maria will guide you through the process step by step.  You will learn how to use colour washes to create depth in your painting and  how to create compelling compositions.

As you paint you will also find out a little more about this resourceful young woman who used her wits, guile and cunning to escape a terrifying ordeal. Little Red Riding Hood was never a victim. She is the hero. 

It’s time to hear the real story behind the red cloak.

There will also be an opportunity to examine and add your own wisdom to Maria’s  red cloak – a travelling garment filled with the life advice of many different people from all walks of life. 

All materials and friendly tuition provided.

Saturday afternoon 2 – 6pm with a break  around 4pm. 

Cinderella’s Slippers - A textile art workshop to stitch, dream and wonder.

During the workshop we will be creating a beautiful tiny slipper in your own choice of colours and decoration. You can keep it as simple as you like, or go full on fairy shoe - it's up to you! Lots of help will be given and all materials are provided, but if you have something special you would like to use (favourite buttons or ribbons for example, or a favourite poem or quote to tuck into your sole), bring it along. 

As you stitch Maria will lead a discussion about fabulous foot ware in fairytales and the use of shoes in apotropaic folklore. You will also have the opportunity to explore your own hopes, wishes and dreams, which will be tucked into your magical slipper as you sew. 

During the session you will hear Maria retelling of one of the earliest known versions of the tale. The Egyptian Cinderella story has a very inspirational grain of truth hidden at its core!

Sunday 9 – 12

Thor’s Hammer and Loki and the stallion – embossed metal workshop.

During this relaxed and friendly workshop you will learn how to accurately trace, engrave and emboss thin sheet metal to create your chosen design using engraving, high relief and low relief techniques. No experience is necessary - full tuition will be given and Maria is a very friendly and relaxed teacher. 

You will make two or more embossed metal plaques which can be framed at home. 

As you work on your viking design you will hear all about the symbolism of the artwork and the characters and adventures  found in Norse Mythology, including what happened when Thor’s hammer was stolen, and how Odin ended up with a horse that has eight legs!

Sunday 2- 3.15 pm Storytelling Performance.   

Suitable for adults and older children (over 12 only)

Seven Years a Wolf – a tale of wonder and wit from the days of King Arthur.  

A knight betrayed, can Sir Marrok ever find a way to serve his people again? 

Celebrating the resilience of the human spirit in difficult times, this traditional storytelling  explores the love of a father for his son and shows us how life can be not just endured, but enjoyed - even in the most difficult of circumstances. 

An inspirational story,  brimming with beautiful imagery, survival against the odds, and the triumph of good over evil.

A sensory delight!

3.30 – 6pm. 

Wolf in the wilderness -  a watercolour workshop. 

During this relaxed and friendly workshop you will learn how to build up a wolf from simple shapes, use colour washes to create depth and how to use tints, shades and tones to create moods. 

No experience is necessary - full support will be given, and templates can be provided if desired. You will create two watercolour pictures to take home and frame. 

As we paint, Maria will tell you about her work creating the Seven Years a Wolf storytelling show and the history behind this inspirational story, originally written down as a lais, by Marie de France during the 15th century.