Wellbeing workshops in Cork: ‘Embracing creativity can really help people to relax’

When the New Year rolls around, there can be a lot of focus on self-improvement and making changes. However, artist and dance teacher Inma Pavon wants to remind us that we don’t need to strive for perfection.

“Wellbeing sometimes comes from that sense that we are not here to be perfect, but to be at peace with ourselves,” says Pavon.

The Spanish choreographer, teacher, performer and multidisciplinary artist has lived in Cork for almost 30 years. She has worked with numerous organisations, including Graffiti Youth Theatre Company, Cork Midsummer Festival, and Cork Youth Ballet Company.

She runs InmaPavonDance, through which she holds regular contemporary dance classes and workshops for adults, and was the Creative Dance Artist in Residence with The Rory Gallagher Music Library Cork from 2023 to 2025.

Starting in January, 2026, Pavon is hosting a series of Sunday morning drawing and welbeing classes at the Glucksman Gallery, University College Cork, that combine art and movement.

The workshops begin with meditation, movement, and connecting to the breath.

“I always say, connect the movement to the breath… the breath moves the body. I think once you connect with the breath, you calm down. And then creativity flows.”

Participants are given art materials and inspiration to create drawings of their own.

“Every class has a theme… so we look at one artist… I bring drawings or books from that artist, and I show it around, and then I give them tasks.”

The session concludes with people getting into small groups to create a piece of art together.

“I feel like when you work with people, you’re learning something new from them. And it’s this kind of playfulness. It’s really beautiful.”

Although she is best known for dance, art is a big part of Pavon’s life.

When she first moved to Ireland, she studied in St John’s College. “It was amazing. A lot of drawing, painting, photography in the dark room, a little bit of video… clay with a bit of sculpting and metal work.”

She regularly incorporates drawing into her dance work.

[Drawing is] a bit like dancing with my hands,” she says. “Dance is like tracing a movement, tracing a line, but invisible.”

One of her favourite spots to sit and draw is outside Myo Café in Cork city. “I love sitting by the river, if the sunshine is out and I’m having my coffee. I use it as a meditation,” she says. “I take my sketchbook and I look into the river and sketch, sketch, sketch.”

Pavon’s creative practices have supported her through life’s challenges, including the loss of her father during the pandemic.

“For me, it’s been really therapy … my practice that I have over the years of meditation, drawing, movement, it helped me to go through that and be able to talk about it to people.”

As a teacher, she wants to share the power of creativity with others. Her workshops are open to anyone, and no drawing or dance experience is necessary. She urges people to let go of the idea that they need to be ‘good’ at something, and instead be open to doing it because it feels good.

“When you’re a child, you don’t think about [dancing] because you have it naturally. But then, when you become an adult, we are more afraid of not doing it right.

“Some people come with an idea of dance that they have to be perfect, or have to look a certain way, or they are not fit enough. And after the session, they realise there are many ways of dancing or expressing. Even just with your hands, in really slow motion, you can actually make a beautiful dance.”

The classes are open to all ages. “I have people who started dancing with me two months ago, women in their 50s, and you should see them now in the improvisation classes. The uniqueness in their movements, it’s really interesting…It’s really powerful.”

All levels of ability are welcome, and the sessions can be adapted to meet individual needs.

“[People] can be sitting down on a chair, it’s no problem. They’re always adaptable to anybody. Also, if the weather is good… we can open the door and do the meditation in the little space outside.”

Pavon says that after her workshops, people typically feel calmer and more relaxed. “You really feel much better in yourself. You have a sense of peacefulness inside you,” she says. “When you are involved with a group of people, everybody doing creativity in a safe environment, straight away you can really relax, because you don’t need to push to be amazing.”

For her, this willingness to let go of perfection is key to growth and wellbeing.

“I always encourage [people] to make mistakes. This is a place to make mistakes, because we learn from the mistakes.

• Drawing + Wellbeing classes with Inma Pavon at the Glucksman Gallery, UCC, take place on Sunday mornings from January 18 to February 22, 2026, 11am - 12.30pm. Tickets available at: https://www.glucksman.org/events/drawing-wellbeing-class-with-inma-pavon-2