A NEWQUAY artist is on a mission to help people combat loneliness.

Mental health advocate Graham Cullis is visiting 30 beaches nationwide as part of his free Splat and Splash UK tour between September and January.

The secret "art rave" gatherings are a mix beach art, meditation, sea swims, and silent disco to connect strangers, celebrate creativity, and support grassroots charities.

Beaches being visited in Cornwall will include St Ives, Falmouth and Kynance Cove. A session has already been held at Sennen Beach and the grand finale will be held at a Newquay beach in January.

Mr Cullis said: “These gatherings are about showing people they’re not alone, that connection can happen anywhere. People will discover loving communities, art, meditation, dance, and sea swimming, all of which can be used as holistic tools for mental health. People often walk away with new friends and a genuine feeling of belonging.

“I've been an advocate for getting in the sea for years now. I have been involved in various sea swimming communities around the world. Cold-water therapy is amazing for so many things. It can improve circulation, build resilience, aid weight loss but most importantly works wonders for improving mental health.

“At my other events, people throw paint over me. It’s fun, messy, and always gets a laugh but at the beach, I want to protect the sea so food condiments are my eco-friendly stand-in. It’s ridiculous, it’s belly-laugh funny, and it’s perfect for grabbing attention online.

“The locations are a mystery rather like a 90's free party where participants need to be in the know to attend. People just need to follow my social media to get all the information.”

Mr Cullis will be shining a light on local charities during the tour.

He said: “Youth Art Connect CIC is the main organisation I’m supporting. They introduce people of all ages to the therapeutic benefits of art. I am also the founder and co-director of the organisation. We have recently experienced almost burn-out from applying for and being denied various funding pots. We almost closed our doors this year. This tour is a way of taking matters into our own hands. The PR will give us valuable data, connections and donations to help us move forward.

“I also want to give space to local charities. In the Cornish dates I am representing Sunrise Cornwall CIC who help bereaved families and individuals suffering a loss due to suicide. They will be giving a talk at each gathering and handing out information.”

Art created during the tour will be sold off to raise money for Youth Art Connect CIC.

Mr Cullis said: “Every beach will have a collaborative canvas, splatted and splashed with colour. The next day, I’ll respond to it with my own painting.

“By the end of the tour, I’ll have at least 30 originals, each holding the energy and story of that gathering. They’ll all come together in a swanky London charity gala, aiming to raise £1,000 per painting for Youth Art Connect CIC. I have already sold one from my pilot event to a collector in New York. The pieces are also available to reserve even before they are created.”

To attend one of Mr Cullis’s gatherings follow him on either Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok. He will be dropping the locations, times and dates in his posts and stories.