Collaborative art and health workshop at The Eerde School in Deventer, Holland in 2015.

Elmarie Buys, art teacher extraordinaire for over ten years, at the International Eerde School, in Ommen, outside of Deventer in Holland, invited Peter Durieux, Frank Jooste, Neville Poulter and me, Kate Wells, to stage a one-day multidisciplinary workshop with her art students. The venue was the art room, a beautiful glass construction, called the orangery. Of interest, is that all five of us met at art school back in 1970-1973, in East London, South Africa, and have been friends ever since. Three live in Europe (Ireland, Holland and France) and two live in Cape Town, South Africa. The name 'Tonkers' was coined, I believe by Neville, a long way back, and this name has stuck! The Tonkers continue to meet, to practice their art forms, as well as to share experiences, and to support each other, mostly through creative art.

Neville took the students outside, and taught them how to 'look', and paint landscapes, with fresh eyes.

Elmarie shows us around the studio and explains her practises.

Hugely creative classes in art - a student shows off her portfolio.

Kate gives a talk on Arts and Medicine practices, as well as updating the students on the Siyazama Project, in South Africa.

Lucky art students work in such a lovely inspirational venue.

Encouraging the young artists to think about Arts and Medicine activities.

Kate gets the students involved in twisting, shaping and designing with chenille sticks. Some amazing results!

Frank shares knowhow on watercolor techniques.

Peter encourages new techniques in painting.

Neville encourages new ideas around landscapes, and how to capture one's immediate surroundings in paint.

It was such a blessing being in this extremely creative environment!

Kate explains the theory and practice which talks to the Siyazama Project.

This student was delighted with her landscape.

Peter, Neville and Frank absorbed in their practice.

The headmistress of Eerde International School pays us a visit!

We all loved to work with Elmarie's art students - so receptive and engaged!