Testimonials
We wanted to say thank you to everyone for the kind comments you made. This is what you said:
Turnip Starfish provide incredible animations. They deliver on time, on budget and provide creative input along the way. A massive thank you to the team for pulling together characters and narratives that turn dry subjects into engaging content. Cynon Taf Community Housing Group – Oct 2024
“I just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for your wonderful life drawing workshops that you led with our students. They all talked so fondly about you and found your sessions so beneficial” Ginnie Bateman – Illustration Lecturer – Coleg Gwent. Sept 2024
“Hi Nick, just wanted to say thankyou for the workshop at the weekend. Our daughter really enjoyed herself and is looking forward to the next one.” Chris Rees – email – 16/09/2024
“I wanted to say how much your sessions on manga and animation meant to our child and us along the way. She learnt so much, and came away inspired. They are now at University of South Wales in the first year of their 2D and stop motion animation degree and is absolutely loving it. Thank you so much, keep doing your fantastic work for these brilliant young people!” Nicky Woodman – e-mail – Jan 2024
Hi there, I am from Pontyclun in South Wales and I went to a school called Y Pant.
Throughout my years in this school I went to a cartooning workshop that was run by Nick Price. First of all I would like to say thank you because I truly feel without this workshop I would not be pursuing a career within the arts without those workshops. Not only that but those workshops provided me with some of the fondest memories from my childhood as I felt I’d found somewhere that I truly fit in.
Nick as a person was just an incredible teacher and an unbelievably kind person.
It’s companies like yours and people like you that make this industry great. I’m not sure if he will remember me but I would love it if this message got to him so he knows how much of an immense impact him and those workshops had on my life. Thank you, Coel. – email – 2/3/2023
We recently worked with the team at Turnip Starfish to create an animated explainer video for our project Getfit.Wales. From start to finish, the process was seamless and efficient. Nick and Lexy were able to bring our ideas to life in a way that exceeded our expectations. We were particularly impressed with the level of detail and creativity they brought to the animation. Overall, we are extremely happy with the end result and highly recommend Turnip Starfish to anyone in need of high-quality animated videos.
Scott Tandy – Cymdeithas Tai Newydd Housing Association – 04/01/2023
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the profound enjoyment and self-esteem our daughter got out of your workshop. I know she absolutely loved the whole week and recently she took the opportunity to tell me how she gained new confidence and belief in herself and met “people like her”. She said how much of a help it was to prepare her for returning to school – thank you. Ben Buchanan – email 10/2022
Hi Lexy
Thanks for all the advice and support both you and Nick have given our daughter over the last 5 years that she has taken part in your workshops.
Through these workshops she has developed lots of new skills in both art and animation. You’ve helped build her confidence with art, which has enabled her to come up with some unique ideas for her GCSE artwork.
The workshops have led to her love of art and have definitely helped her recently achieve an A grade in GCSE Art. She is now looking forward to studying A Level Art in school from September.
Our daughter has loved attending the workshops with you & Nick, both face to face and online during the Covid lockdowns, which certainly helped as a positive distraction during what was a very difficult time for everyone especially young people.
The workshops have always been very enjoyable, friendly, helpful and welcoming and if the funding were to continue, our daughter would love to continue to attend the workshops to support her whilst studying A Level Art in Year 12 & 13.
Thanks again
Claire Dean – email – 31/08/22
The young peoples’ work is fantastic. As usual our daughter had a wonderful time with you – she enjoys it so much. I asked her what she likes about the workshop and she said ‘everything’. Thank you for all your support this is such an amazing programme.
Best wishes
Melanie and Julian Warburton – email – 18/08/22
We cannot thank Turnip Starfish enough for the amazing opportunity my child had this Summer. Our daughters interest in Art and Production has been greatly increased partly due to the enthusiasm and the support she was offered at the Summer School – her confidence has improved and she felt so supported – she loved every minute of it and came back home every afternoon with exciting anecdotes about what she had done and what she had learnt. We watched the video produced with excitement and it was just so great to see so many older children supporting the younger ones like Emily and being an inspiration.
Thank you Nick and Lexy – you made our daughters summer.
Sali Davis – email – 11/08/22
@firstcampus (animation summer school) what a fantastic opportunity! Thanks to Nick and Lexi for all their hard work our son has thoroughly enjoyed! @TurnipStarfish
Nicola – twitter – 05/08/22
Our son in reply – I really did enjoy this and I can’t wait to go again 😀
Nick’s anatomy workshop was excellent; he gave a group of experienced artists a great breakdown of all of the trickiest parts of the human form in an informative and amusing way. Thanks a lot Nick!
Leon Dexter. Animation Director, Bumpybox. 03/07/2022 – email
[Our eldest son] has secured a conditional offer at Coleg y Cymoedd on the level 3 Art and Design course in September. They were very pleased he’d attended all the Turnip Starfish courses and it definitely contributed towards his application. He is over the moon, as are we! Also, [our youngest son] is approaching GCSE options and his first choice is Art GCSE. I had parents evening last night and Mrs Walters commented that he’s one of the most able and talented of his year. We definitely feel this has been greatly influenced by the tuition from your courses. He’s learnt so much from you both. We can not thank you both enough!
Jen 7/2/2022 – email
Thanks once again to you an Lexy for all of the hard work you have put into making these animations. They look amazing and we are really pleased with the outcome
Natalie Kendrick-doyle. First Campus officer 14/12/2021 – email
We’ve just completed a series of life drawing sessions for our Level 3, 4 and 5 students with Nick as the tutor. The student feedback has been fantastic and the drawing work produced has been better than we could have hoped for. They have improved skills in anatomical drawing to more expressive and experimental work. I would highly recommend Nick and his team and will definitely be booking him again in the future.
Kelly Rosser – Course Leader Foundation Degree Illustration – Coleg Gwent – 18/11/2021 – e-mail
“All the stuff you taught me is super useful here, thanks a billion!”
Lewis McCaulay – 1st year Animation student. Degree in Animation Bournemouth University. 14/10/2021
She had a wonderful time creating this at this week’s @firstcampus with Lexy and Nick. Such a great programme.
Melanie Warburton 01/04/2021 – Twitter
Lexy and Nick
Thank you once again for providing the online course. It has been great for them to have something to do in the holidays when most things are still closed. Our children enjoyed the drawing topic about animals. The one to one sessions with Lexy were really valuable and gave them lots of ways to improve their drawings. Looking forward to the summer sessions. Many thanks.
Hannah Barrett 06/04/2021 – email
Thanks to Lexy and Nick @TurnipStarfish and @firstcampus for running the brilliant Easter workshop last week. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and has continued to draw more animals this week too.
Claire Evans 06/04/2021 – Twitter
@firstcampus here’s some of the work created by my daughter over half term with the wonderful guidance of Lexy and Nick. She loves these courses and would like to thank the staff for such a fun week. You all work tremendously hard and it shows in their work. #Thanks.
Rachel Tucker 06/04/2021 – Twitter
The Couse was brilliant, our daughter felt she had learnt another new skill that she had done before and this will be use full when she goes on to sixth form. Thank you again for all the work you and first campus do. It is most appreciated. Thank you.
Helen Sherwood 07/04/2021 – email
Just wanted to say that our son thoroughly enjoyed the course, it really helps that you’ve continued with the courses during lockdown, so thank you for that also. He has enjoyed each and every one that he’s attended, he’s learnt so much and his confidence in his abilities has really grown. Thank you.
Tracey Davies 12/04/2021 – email
Hi Lexy. Thanks once again for all the hard work you and Nick put in to running the course. Our son really enjoyed completely the activity and it was a good experience for him to understand how to manage your own time and meet deadlines.
Hope to see you at some point during the summer term
Many thanks
Hannah – e-mail – 21.04.2020
Martha had a great time completing your course over Easter. Thanks for going out of your way to deliver it on line for them, very much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Jo – e-mail – 21.04.2020
Thank you both for continuing to run with the Easter workshop. It couldn’t have been easy co-ordinating everything online, so thanks for all your extra effort with that, it worked so well. In the current situation it really was a great help to Katrin and gave her something to focus on during the Easter break and helped to distract her from what is going on in the world at the moment.
Thanks again and hope you all keep safe.
Claire – e-mail – 21.04.2020
It was a fabulous course and well organised under such challenging circumstances. The YouTube videos were very informative, interesting and fun. It was great to see first hand how Dylan developed during the course following your direct feedback.
Kind regards
Jen – e-mail – 23.04.2020
I am always impressed by the hard work the Turnip Starfish team do with their animation courses, but considering the extreme difficulties facing them during the Covid 19 Lockdown I have been moved. Their commitment to providing a professional, organised course for my daughter has been outstanding. She needed the structure their courses usually provide to give her some focus following the cancellation of her GCSE exams, and they delivered. They communicated clearly with myself and my daughter, giving clear reasons for the boundaries they put in place. Safeguarding was at the forefront of their processes. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this course and the quality of her final product was a testament to the quality of the Turnip Starfish teams tuition. Thank you and Thank you to First Campus for continuing to support such an important enrichment program.
Rachel – e-mail – 26.04.2020
My daughter loved today’s online @TurnipStarfish manga workshop. Thoroughly recommend it!
(I also got an hour’s break from home-schooling and some work done)
Russel Todd – 1/4/2020 – twitter
Hello Nick… the online drawing session was great!
Sian Davies – e-mail – 25/03/2020
I’d just like to say to both of you that Turnip Starfish has given so much to my children. Their art has improved enormously and in particular it’s made such a difference having a community of people who enjoy drawing.
Kate – e-mail – 17/03/2020
@TurnipStarfish my son had a fantastic time at your workshop yesterday (Manga Drawing).
GogynyDe – Twitter – 19/01/2020
Hi Nick, just wanted to say thank you for running the session today (Cardiff Life Drawing), it was really good. Best wishes.
Emily Mayo – text – 04/01/2020
Our son hasn’t stopped talking about the (animation) session so will definitely be coming back.
Jenny Loane – email – 07/11/2019
Hi Nick. Just a quick note to say thank you for having our daughter at the workshop yesterday (Manga Drawing). She really enjoyed it and I could see it was very inspiring as couldn’t stop drawing after she came home. 🙂 it was the best birthday present!
Nao Tope – e-mail – 22/9/19
My Daughter is really excited about going [to the manga workshop]. She got so much out of the animation workshop and enjoyed it so much.
Sean Richards – e-mail – 4/09/19
Lewis really enjoyed the life drawing class – he’s already produced impressive sketches and has been learning a lot from Nic.
Christina Macaulay – e-mail – 3/9/19
Thank you! I was so impressed with his pics and he learns so much everytime he comes he will definitely be back. (Manga Drawing)
Verity Birch Theophanide – Facebook – 21/07/2019
I’d like to say thanks to you and Lexy for all the help and support you’ve given both of my daughters over the years, they have really flourished under your tuition (manga drawing and digital painting class).
Eva Savage – e-mail – 13/07/19
Hi Nick. I just wanted to say thanks for the excellent workshop on Saturday (Cardiff Life Drawing) and for making me feel welcome. I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it.
Simon Jones – e-mail – 8/7/19
My son has been so inspired by the (animation half term) workshop you ran last week!
Natasha Harland – e-mail – 3/6/2019
Thank you for today it was great! (Cardiff Life Drawing) Just to let you know that we have booked onto the next class!
Jasmine Villiers – e-mail – 04/05/2019
Our daughter came to several of your animation workshops through First Campus & a couple of your manga workshops too, a few years ago. I’m sure that being involved in your workshops has helped her in her journey – she’s just accepted an unconditional offer to study Illustration at USW.
Rachel Young – e-mail – 01/05/2019
Jen and myself loved it (Cardiff Life Drawing). We are very keen to improve so let me know if its possible for us to join you in April.
Sharon Flack – e-mail – 02/03/2019
Just a quickie to says thanks for a great class again yesterday. (Cardiff Life Drawing)
Ted Arbuthnot – e-mail – 03/02/2019
Well done guys, Seren hates drawing hands but you get her to push herself and improve.
Rachel Collier – facebook – 20/01/19
Hi, I just want to say a big thank you, I’ve been to a few of your workshops and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without having the experience I did with turnip starfish, without Lexi, Nick and the rest of the team I would never of found my love for art, so thank you very much.
Sara-Jayne 11/01/19 Facebook
Hi Nick. Just a quick email to say thanks for today (Cardiff Life Drawing Class). Both myself and Siân really enjoyed it. We have both booked onto the next class.
Hugh Collier – e-mail – 6/01/19
Tried my hand at a life drawing session today! I had no idea what to expect, or whether I’d enjoy it… but I LOVED it! Came straight home and carried on sketching. Thanks @cardifflifedrawing for an awesome lesson! The most relaxing afternoon.
Smorris_photos 5/1/19 Instagram
Hey Nick,
I really enjoyed the session today, you are a really inspirational teacher! (Cardiff Life Drawing)
Kim Wordley 01/12/18 e-mail
Thank you for your time and your inspiration. I feel I’ve gained a lot more confidence in my life drawing.
Nakota_goku 29/11/18 Instgram
It really was awesome working with you. (Life Drawing Class)
Chrisharris81_art 28/11/18 Instagram
Just wanted to thank you so much. My son had a brilliant time at this morning’s workshop he loved it! I couldn’t believe how good his picture that he did was. He’s come home and continued to draw all afternoon. We will definitely look to book another workshop in the future. Thanks again.
Verity Birch 22/11/2018 e-mail
Thanks loads- she is loving it. I am no expert but was v impressed with her work that she did with you last Saturday. She is also very happy coming to you guys and has made lovely friends.
Gwenno Hughes – e-mail – 23/10/18
Thanks guys, Seren had an awesome time!!
Rachel Collier – Instagram – 20/10/18
(my son) really enjoyed the class today. Thanks for making him feel welcome and is just what he needed for both art skills and confidence. Definitely booking on again !
Mark Thomas – Facebook – 20/10/18
Hi Nick
Just a quick thank you for today, I really like the class (Cardiff Life Drawing) and will be coming again for sure, there is so much to learn to get it right.
Really appreciated your help.
Hope to see you next month, let me know the time and location.
Best wishes and thanks again
Ted – e-mail – 7/10/18
Just watched all the videos on You Tube from the animation workshop. Amazing job to all involved! Thank you so much for all of your work with Thomas he really enjoyed the course. Special thanks too to Lexie for her work with Isabelle. She also loved the week and has improved her skills.
Best wishes – Wendy – e-mail – 28/8/2018
Hiya Nick & Lexy, with thanks for your help & guidance in classes over the past few years, Cai came away with an A* GCSE yesterday. Cai is going back to 6th form to study art at A level. Xxxxx
mrshx – instagram – 24/08/18
I have first-hand feedback on what a positive experience this [turnip starfish workshops] has provided to young-people over the years from those that have regularly progressed to study with us at USW to degree level. It doesn’t escape my attention how seamless a pathway of creative contact these activities could provide kids from primary school age right through adolescence, up to university and beyond.
At each stage, receiving expert guidance and encouragement from Nick and his team who are ideally placed to advise having experienced a career in.
Gareth Hutchinson
Course Leader – BA(Hons) Computer Animation
University of South Wales – Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries
e-mail 21/08/2018
A lively, fun and engaging workshop that taught pupils how to create their own manga characters step-by-step. Nick and Lexy were a pleasure to work with and really know how to work a group!
Stephanie Roberts, museum educator. July 2018
Highly recommend this class (Life Drawing). Fantastic tutor.
Howard Jones – Professional Painter and Tutor. May 2018.
Thanks Lexy and Nick @TurnipStarfish @firstcampus for a great hoodie design workshop @UniSouthWales
Karin Crimmins – twitter – 23/02/18
Whilst I’ve been busy showing our fantastic animation to anyone in the same vicinity as me, I’ve realised that I’ve been really rude in not having thanked you and the team for such a fantastic piece of work. It is exactly what we wanted and even better than we expected! I look forward to working with you again – it’s been a pleasure.
Zoe Lancelott
Head of Engagement and Participation
Education and Lifelong Learning – RCTCBC
22/02/2018
Hi,
Just wanted to say thank you for another brilliant workshop, the hoody is fab. Adam really enjoyed himself and can’t wait for the next one. Thanks again to you all.
Best wishes
Tracey Davies – email – 20/02/18
Hi Nick
Moli had a fabulous time today. Thank you for looking after her.
Gwen Marshall – e-mail – 17/02/2018
I thought that you may like a quick update on how Amelia’s getting on….
Bristol (University) offered her a place… and Cardiff offered her two unconditional places on 2D and 3D animation! She’s over the moon as Cardiff is where she wanted to go.
I wanted to let you know as, at all three interviews and her personal statement, she talked about her time at Turnipstarfish, I think it helped her a lot in more ways than one. Apart from anything else, a few of the tutors said they knew/know Nick and so knew about the Summer school etc.
So once again many thanks and I’ll keep you posted on how she gets on. I think things are looking bright for her, fingers crossed 🙂
Regards
Emma Dwyer – e-mail – 8/02/18
“We hope you enjoyed the class?”
@cardifflifedrawing of course! I wouldn’t keep coming back if I didn’t haha 🙂 I really enjoy it man
Luke Evans – Instagram – 08/01/18
Thanks to @TurnipStarfish for helping to develop (my daughters) skills #proudMum
Katrina Williams – twitter – 27/12/17
(My Son) had an amazing 2 days with you. Thanks again.
Mrs Gardner. Text message – 31/10/17
Hi, Just wanted to thank you all for the project, (My son) had a brilliant time, he thoroughly enjoyed it…thanks again.
Tracey Davies – email – 31/10/17
(My Daughters) love the workshops, I can see an improvement after every single time they go!
Eva Savage – facebook – 7/10/17
I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your help. I joined your Boost classes in 2014 and you kindly allowed me into a life study class. I have just finished my Foundation art and design course at Treforest . Nick was kind to me and I was given the confidence to carry on. Thank you.
Jan Stone – face book – 19/7/17
Loved the class (Life Drawing Saturday Class). thanks nick
Adrian Davila – Instagram – 1/7/17
…our Blitz project has been nominated for an award in the Welsh Heritage Awards. The animation our pupils created with you last year was a big part of the application and was received really positively by the judges.
Mr Protheroe. Darren Park Primary School – 27/06/17
As a school we have been blown away be the skills the children have gained, as a result of working with Turnip Starfish. Reluctant writers were completely engaged and excited about writing because of their creative approach and stimulating provision. All of the children benefited hugely from working creatively. Their self-esteem, confidence and independence skills improved significantly. On behalf of Undy Primary, Thank you!
Mrs Willis, Co-head teacher Undy Primary School – 15/06/17
Turnip Starfish were brilliant – Nick and Lexy had an amazing way with the year 4 children. The pupils were engaged and enthusiastic about all the activities they led; the drawing workshops provided skills that will stay with them forever.
Mr Edwards, Year 4 teacher Undy Primary School – 15/06/17
Turnip Starfish are so cool. Nick and Lexy are awesome at drawing and they were really good at teaching us how to draw using different techniques. My drawing has improved so much!
Isabella O’Brien – Year 4 – 15/06/17
I really enjoyed our time with Nick and Lexy from Turnip Starfish. I learnt lots of new drawing skills and created my own comic. I am so proud of what I have achieved and I did it all whilst having so much fun!
Jack Collins Year 4 pupil – 15/06/17
Having Nick and Lexy in our school was the best thing ever! I will never forget this experience and I am so proud of the comic I made.
Lucas Powell – year 4 pupil – 15/06/17
We are delighted to have been nominated for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture Award’ at the Youth Engagement and Participation Celebration Event 2017 by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. 01/06/17
Emma Dwyer – 24/05/17
My daughter was lucky enough to be able to attend a number of courses with the turnip starfish over the years and has benefited in so many ways, including: developing her artistic skills and learning how to apply them practically, meaningful story telling through pictures, confidence in her abilities and how to manage her time in order to meet deadlines, all this while having lots of fun and finding new friends. Essentially, the skills learnt during her holidays, will (I think) prove to be an important foundation and building block, for the rest of her career, so a great BIG thanks to Nick,Lexy and the rest of the gang keep up the good work inspiring the next generation!’
Thank you sooooo much for a wonderful life drawing class on Saturday, we had a great time and got a lot from the workshop. I am still keen to sign up to one half day session a month.
Jane Ellis 10/5/17
Maria Manley 6/5/17
A first for me!! Fantastic fun & relaxing ‘Life Drawing’ class yesterday taken by Nick of Turnip Starfish Animation. We began by looking at the shapes made by the skeleton & musculature, how the body hinges & proportion. His teaching style is mature, relaxed, fluid, and engaging.
Just wanted to let you know that Felix and Oscar absolutely loved the animation workshop. They wish it was longer. Thank you so much! They are both keen to continue making films at home now, which is wonderful. They have already said they’d like to come again in the summer for a week…. possibly 2! When can we book on?!!
All the very best for now. Nina Gregory – 20/4/17
I just wanted to thank you and Lexy for offering Caitlin the recent opportunity to join you at Comic Con.
Since attending your workshops her art skills have developed and as her parents, it has been wonderful to see her passion and enthusiasm for Manga Art grow.
We cannot thank you both enough! Kind regards
Katrina Williams 13/3/17
Rebecca Hawkins
Deputy Headteacher, Ysgol Cynwyd Sant – 6/3/17
The children and staff have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of your workshops
Dr Glenda Jones. Creative Agent, Lead Creative Schools. 6/3/17
Thanks so much for this morning. What we saw in action today was creative learning at its very best. It was fun, energetic and generating some great results.
Rebecca Hawkins
Deputy Headteacher, Ysgol Cynwyd Sant – 8/2/2017
Just a quick note to thank you and Lexy very much for the training you delivered to the staff during our INSET day yesterday. It was fantastic! Everyone is so enthusiastic about using the skills learned in their classrooms. We are very much looking forward to beginning the work with year 5 and 6 on Friday! Thank you both!
@ysgolcynwydsant @TurnipStarfish melys, moes, mwy Ardderchog! #creativelearning
Dr Glenda Jones. Creative Agent, Lead Creative Schools. 6/2/17
Hannah Davies – 25/01/2017
Community Youth Offer Co-ordinator (YEPS)
Since 2010, the courses facilitated by Turnip Starfish have played an integral part in the extra-curricular provision offered by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service… I worked directly with Turnip Starfish as the e3+ Co-ordinator of Treorchy Comprehensive School and the Youth Participation Officer at Ysgol Llanhari… Nick Price and Lexy Jones have inspired and enthused young people, delivering significant results along the way, including increasing self-esteem, improving basic key skills and giving young people a platform to express themselves. I strongly recommend Turnip Starfish
Caroline Wool – 24/01/2017
Community Youth Offer Co-ordinator (YEPS)
Turnip Starfish has been an integral part of the Youth Engagement and Participation Service extra curriculum programme for the past 8 years. As E3+ Co-ordinator and subsequently Youth Participation Officer at Y Pant School, I have had the pleasure of working with Turnip Starfish throughout this period. They are consummate professionals, who bring a fun and engaging atmosphere to their workshops, that ensures young people’s continued participation… I look forward to a long continued working relationship with Turnip Starfish and would highly recommend, without reservation, their service to any organisation.
@TurnipStarfish Caleb had a fab day, thanks. He says “Nick is like a really cool grown up who remembers he was a kid once.” Love that.
Claire Hill – twitter, 21-01-17
Liam Jones – 19/01/2017
Youth Re-engagement Officer (YEPS)
Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive
Turnip Starfish are truly a great company to work with, they go above and beyond to make sure every session has full numbers no matter what day the activity is on… Turnip Starfish have been working with myself for nearly two years and not once have they been late or without the appropriate equipment for the session. They really have been a pleasure to work with and I know without them in my school participation numbers would drop quite considerably.
Also just wanted to say what a great job you and Lexy do with the kids. [She] really loves going and she’s made some lovely new friends too.
Cathy Hill – e-mail, 13-12-16
The thank you card made by young people from Ysgol Llanhari for Lexy. November 2016
@TurnipStarfish Thanks so much, the girls learned so much today and really enjoyed it!
Eva Savage, 19 November 2016
Turnip Starfish have delivered a wide range of comic book and animation projects for Literature Wales, specifically in areas of high deprivation, where young people may not have had much access to cultural activities. As part of the South Wales Literature Project they have delivered projects with young carers in Caerphilly, Merthyr youth group, Cowbridge Comprehensive School, a group with Special Needs in Torfaen and ran a series of animation and Warhammer workshops at the Space, Time Machine and Monster Sci Fi festival at the Riverfront, Newport.
They have also run highly popular and successful workshops as part of Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival and most recently a graphic novel project with young carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf as part of Literature Wales Invent Your Event Chapter 3 projects, celebrating the life of Roald Dahl.
The Turnip starfish staff are highly experienced in engaging with a wide range of young people and always deliver projects to the highest standards with professional outcomes.
Louise Richards
Community Participation Manager – Literature Wales
October 2016
Hi Nick, thank you both so much for the animation workshops! Such a fantastic experience for the kids to learn from and work with such talented professional animators.
Kind regards
Rory (Year 6 teacher, St John Lloyd primary) June 2016
I worked with Nick and Lexy as part of the Arts Council of Wales’ Lead Creative Schools Programme. As part of the programme they were matched with Whitchurch Primary School working with a class in Year 5 on a literacy project. They created inspiring and creative sessions for the young people, allowing them to have first hand experience of industry standard production. Nick and Lexy were a pleasure to work and their approach to creativity and learning is refreshing and fun! I’d highly recommend them.
Alison John
Producer, Yellow Brick (Creative Agent) – June 2016
First Campus, the South East Wales Reaching Wider partnership, raises the aspirations and Higher Education awareness of learners through activities and workshops which take place at Higher Education institutions.
First Campus has worked with TurnipStarfish for 12 years over which time the provision offered has developed significantly.
TurnipStarfish are unique, professional animators providing a real experience of the animation industry from the equipment used to the processes taught. All their staff are working artists, professional animators, and qualified teachers. The courses and workshops delivered support the young people through inspirational delivery and expert knowledge of the industries requirements which supports portfolio development for applications and routes into Higher Education.
TurnipStarfish bring the necessary skills, attitude and equipment to deliver a first class course/workshop. We are privileged to work with such industry professionals to impart the knowledge, skills and pathways required by the creative industry sector.
Kathryn Maddy
First Campus Manager
University of South Wales
June 2016
Bobby had a great time and was very enthused to draw. (Saturday workshops)
Thanks so much
Romy Wood – e-mail 20/06/2016
We absolutely loved the workshop, thank you so much! I haven’t seen the adolescents that focused in ages (if ever)! They enjoyed the day so much and you and Nick were fantastic with the group. It’s the first arts and crafts themed adolescent group we’ve had and I think they were really proud of what they achieved. Thank you once again! Anna Bowyer (Ty Hafan) 13/05/16
Turnip Starfish led truly creative and engaging sessions with pupils at Whitchurch Primary School as part of our Lead Creative School status. They inspired pupils to produce an excellent digital animation in a fun and exciting way.
Chris Newcombe, Deputy Headteacher, Whitchurch Primary School, Cardiff. May 2016.
Turnip Starfish were a pleasure to work with. They are professional, bags of fun and above all, inspirational to young people.
Sean Jones. Year 5 teacher, Whitchurch Primary School, Cardiff. May 2016.
Turnip Starfish were great collaborators and worked wonderfully with both teacher and pupils. They were professional, skilled and creative. It has been a real pleasure to work with them.
Rhian Hutchings. Creative Agent, Lead Creative Schools. 12/5/16
Class 3 loved designing and animating today with @TurnipStarfish
Rhigos Primary – 09/05/2016
Thank you both very much for the workshops this week. The children absolutely loved working with you. Turnip Starfish have helped us bring our topics to life through creating innovative and imaginative animations with our pupils.
James Protheroe. Darran Park Primary School – May 2016
Thanks for a great event yesterday!! It was superb.
Rhian Hutchings. Creative Agent, Lead Creative Schools – April 2016
Thank you cards from Kitchener Primary School April 2016
Thank you cards from Twyn Primary School – April 2016
My son and daughter had a brilliant time at your animation workshop in the Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn! Thanks very much!
Claire Thapa – 7/11/15
Thank you so much for everything you and your team are doing – you have really fired up (my daughters) imagination and ambition, and installed in her a confidence.
Yvette Levvy – 12/05/2015
The Manga Workshop was fantastic. The guys are all still buzzing and really want me to set up a regular animation group. The content was perfect and Lexy was so flexible and truly knowledgeable on all the different forms of animation that the guys are interested in… Huge Thank you to you and Lexy and we hope to see her again soon. Heather McDowall – 11 Mar 2015. Barnardo’s.
We met you at Comic Con on Sunday and my daughter, Liv, has been really inspired by Lexi’s book and has started writing her own little tutorials! Fiona Stirling 24/03/15
Thanks so much to you both for an amazing workshop.
Deborah Jones – 30 Jan 2015
Lecturer in Art & Design. The College Merthyr Tydfil
Hi nick am doing great in university all thanks too you guys… if they ask for recommendations I will say your company. Lauren Dix – face book – 27/01/2015
I had my interview yesterday (Degree in Animation, University of South Wales) and my offer email came through today, I just wanted to thank you for all the support and advice you and the team have given me since I met you.
I will keep my eye out for any more of your courses and hopefully we will meet again soon.
All the best (and again thank you!)
Cerys – e-mail – 15/01/2015
Ceri Ann Howells – 5 star – My daughter had a fantastic time @ the manga workshop in Cardiff on Saturday she hasn’t stopped drawing ‘hands’ since! Thank you & look forward to seeing you again at your next workshop x merry Christmas x
25/12/14
Awesome! Nice to see something me and my friends have created in school! Really enjoyed and looking forward for the first term of 2015! Merry Christmas! 15/12/2014
We would LOVE to have you guys back!!!
Also-Life Drawing is a must! Nick was super brilliant
Katherine Keeble-Buckle. lecturer in Art & Design. Cardiff and Vale College. 6 Oct 2014
Thank you so much for yesterday, the feedback that we had from the students was fantastic. They also commented on the teaching and said that they enjoyed your energetic approach to working. The work that they have produced will not only be valuable for the portfolio but for improving their drawing skills.
Jessica Roberts – 15 Oct 2014
Lecturer in Art & Design. Coleg y Cymoedd
@TurnipStarfish i was at one of your live drawing classes in college about two weeks ago it was very inspiring thank you #btechlevel3 #nick – Cath Haines 27/10/2014
My daughter loved your workshop, thank you, and thanks for putting this together too.
Tom Price – 4/10/14
★★★★★ At Cardiff and Vale College, level 3 Art and Design students got a taste of digital painting for 2 weeks. We had lots of fun and created some awesome drawings. Highly recommended!!! Definitely a must for any creative! – Sarah Hunt 25/10/2014
Thank you so much for the recent 2D animation workshop you ran at the Watershed (Bristol). My son loved it. Are you running anything else in Bristol that we should look out for?
Sarah Swingler – 28/9/14
Big thanks to all @TurnipStarfish for a great animation workshop this week. Encouraging creativity, banishing boredom. Fay Blakeley 08/08/14
@TurnipStarfish lovely evening brillant animations and music, so much talent. You do an amazing job x – Mrs Bartlett 01/08/14
Thanks to @TurnipStarfish for teaching the eldest and youngest @LukeHywel how to animate over the last 2 weeks. – Steve Davies
Hi Nick
Just wanted to say thank you to you all for the Digital Illustration workshop yesterday. Aled had a great time and he’s full of enthusiasm. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more workshops and he’ll definitely be online using the tutorials.
Thanks again,
Karyn Williams – Sent:
Sat, 9 Aug 2014 – email
My son and nephew have been attending your work shop for the last 2 weeks at caerleon campus. I would like to say how much they have both enjoyed it and have wanted to go every day and the staff caring and teaching them, have been wonderful with them. I’ve looked at your website and most of your courses are in Cardiff, I hope in the future that you can do more in Newport. So thank you for having them both.
Kind regards
Theresa Davies
29/07/14
Thanks very much for the great animation course at Whitchurch High School today. Had a great time and the adults were lovely. Hope to do another course again! – Hannah Deards 10/07/2014
I just want to thank you for your workshop at Ystrad today as it has inspired me to start drawing again – Rebekah Lloyd 11/06/14
Once again your drawing lesson was a huge success and its effect on the students learning was quite clear. Since your session the students have been directly applying the drawing techniques to their Final Major Projects. They thoroughly enjoy your session and I only wish we could have you more often.
Once again thank you
Ian Burgum
Course leader. L3 BTEC Art & Design Extended Diploma. Coleg y Cymoedd
1 May 2014
My son loved the animation session, can’t wait for the next one … – Lianna Smith 20/03/14
The team were a pleasure to work with and always so flexible – essential when working in a primary school. The DVD was based entirely on children’s work, which not only gets the message across more effectively but also boosts self-esteem. I would thoroughly recommend this company should an opportunity arise to work on a similar project at this or any other school. (Ruth Jackson, Head teacher, St Mary the Virgin Church in Wales Primary, Butetown, Cardiff)
I strongly recommend Turnip Starfish as a company, as it works very effectively with young people by engaging them fully in the filmmaking process, delivering significant results along the way, including increasing self-esteem, improving basic key skills and giving young people a platform to express themselves. (Hannah Davies e3+ Co-ordinator Treorchy Comprehensive School)
These workshops successfully exhibit the ability to engage, communicate, educate and inspire young people. Nick’s natural enthusiasm for both the subject and raising aspirations of young people are key to the company’s growing success in this area, as exhibited in the work these groups produce.(Peter Hodges, Head of Division, Faculty of Creative Industries, University of South Wales)
5 star, amazing animation, best animation company ever, the person that teaches me (LEXY) is amazing I would give her 5 stars alone. She’s so nice, caring, beautiful, colourful hair literally it’s rainbow coloured, and just fantastic she respects everyone and their opinions she’s just FANTASTIC!¡! – Eleri Gough 04/12/13