Hazel Oakes – Nocciola The Drawer

Creative Workshops: Red Tent of Cosmana Navarra with Nocciola The Drawer

Dates and Time:
Friday 25th – Tuesday 29th April, 9am – 7pm Drop-in sessions
Artist will be in the tent on location

Bookable sessions:

  • Friday 25th April, 3pm – Collage workshop
  • Saturday 26th April, 10am and 4pm – Drawing workshop
  • Sunday 27th April, 1pm and 5pm – Sewing workshop
  • Monday 28th April, 10am and 2pm – Collage workshop
  • Tuesday 29th April, 9am and 3pm – Drawing workshop

Duration: 1hr 30min
Venue: Red Tent, Mdina Ditch

Red Tent of Cosmana Navarra is an immersive community art project in Rabat/Mdina, inspired by Cosmana Navarra, Malta’s first female patron of the arts. This vibrant initiative invites women and girls to gather inside a red tent, a symbol of communal sharing, traditionally used by women to connect and express themselves. Inside the tent, participants will have access to fabric, sewing materials, pens, and paper to visually communicate their personal stories, thoughts, and experiences.

The tent serves as a safe, supportive space where women can celebrate themselves and each other through creative expression. After the community’s work is completed, the artist will transform these individual contributions into a collective mural, painted on the outside of the tent. This moveable mural will reflect their experiences, sharing their message with the public. Red Tent of Cosmana Navarra brings women’s voices to life, honouring Cosmana’s legacy of art for the community.

Note for Participants:

  • Participants don’t need any prior creative experience.
  • Materials are included.
  • Participants are responsible for their own health and safety at all times when in Mdina Ditch.
  • The maximum number of participants is 6, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Participation in the workshops is free of charge.
  • There are no requirements; women and girls are invited to come inside and share their vision and voice.
  • All women and girls are welcome who would like to be creative, have a go with art materials, and want to share their voice creatively using visual arts.
  • Participants can bring photos, drawings, or artwork they have previously created for inspiration.
  • Imagination is compulsory.
Register here

Q&A with Artist

1. Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a mural artist, illustrator and creative explorer from the North East of the UK, who works under the name Nocciola The Drawer. I specialise in bright, bold, colourful artwork that combines the female figure and lively patterns, all with the aim to uplift, inspire, empower and celebrate.

2. Tell us a bit about your art practice and what inspires you

Travelling and living in different countries have shaped my drawing style. I am inspired by people and places that foster community, my love of travel, people and finding connections is the driving force behind my work. I am a nomadic optimist, looking for positive stories in this beautiful world, visually capturing the community spirit, joy and passion that unite people. I strive to share communities’ ideas and voices, particularly compelled to elevate women and girls’ aspirations. I champion the power of art in public spaces, making it accessible to everyone and bringing people together.

3. What do you hope to achieve with your residency in Malta? 

Through the Red Tent of Cosmana Navarra, I aim to create an immersive community art project that amplifies the voices of girls and women, encouraging creative expression. Inspired by Malta’s first female patron of the arts, this initiative will provide a safe space for women and girls in Rabat to share their stories, using creativity. 

By transforming their contributions into a collective artwork, their voices will enter the public sphere, celebrating their experiences and identities. This residency will deepen my engagement with community-driven art, allowing me to explore new cultural perspectives in Malta while honouring Cosmana Navarra’s legacy of art for the community.