What’s On

May
9
Sat
Impressionist Landscapes with Jonathan Newey
May 9 @ 10:00 am – May 10 @ 5:00 pm

Course details:

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of impressionist style landscape painting over this two-day acrylic course. Guided by Jonathan, you’ll explore the expressive brushwork, luminous colour, and atmospheric effects that define the impressionist style. Through structured demonstrations and practical exercises, participants will learn to capture light, movement, and mood while working from photographs. Beginners and improvers are welcome, with all techniques explained step by step. At the end of the course, you’ll have created your own impressionist landscapes, gaining confidence and inspiration for future painting.

Materials and additional costs: 

Supplied by tutor for £45 cash 

Or email for materials list 

Suitability:

Absolute beginners – improvers 

Spaces

12

Price: £124 / £158

Book here 

Impressionist Landscapes with Jonathan Newey
May 9 @ 10:00 am – May 10 @ 5:00 pm

Course details:

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of impressionist style landscape painting over this two-day acrylic course. Guided by Jonathan, you’ll explore the expressive brushwork, luminous colour, and atmospheric effects that define the impressionist style. Through structured demonstrations and practical exercises, participants will learn to capture light, movement, and mood while working from photographs. Beginners and improvers are welcome, with all techniques explained step by step. At the end of the course, you’ll have created your own impressionist landscapes, gaining confidence and inspiration for future painting.

Materials and additional costs: 

Supplied by tutor for £45 cash 

Or email for materials list 

Suitability:

Absolute beginners – improvers 

Spaces

12

Price: £124 / £158

Book here 

May
14
Thu
Stepping into Ancient Yesterdays
May 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm

     

An illustrated talk by Simon and Carol Trapnell
Renowned for its ancient wonders, rich history, and vibrant culture, Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, evokes awe and has long held a universal fascination for people. Their great monuments, tombs, temples, and artwork all celebrate life (and often nature) and stand as reminders of what once was and what human beings are capable of achieving. Join us on an inspiring journey that also interweaves some of the places that inspired prints included in the Ancient Yesterdays II exhibition. An evening for all!

£13 + booking fee – book here

May
16
Sat
Mini Craft Market @ Education Centre
May 16 @ 10:00 am – May 17 @ 4:30 pm

We have our amazing Mini Craft Market where our talented local crafters can get together to share and sell their handmade products.

Previous crafts have included: nature crafts, paper crafts, woodwork, paintings, illustration, crochet/knitting, weaving, decoupage, cards, glass,  silk painting,  textile bags,  jewellery, resin art and flood painting.

Held in the Education Centre and is free to enter!

10am – 4:30pm (3:45pm for December Market)

May
23
Sat
Drawing with the sewing machine needle with Richard Box
May 23 @ 10:00 am – May 24 @ 5:00 pm

Course details:

Do you want to develop your skills with your sewing machine and learn how to ‘draw’ with the simple straight stitch? Then this is your course! You will start by stitching a design which Richard, your tutor, has prepared for you. He will demonstrate every stage step-by-step.This will give you the confidence and the understanding necessary to empower you to start and develop your own design on the second day. However, there is no rush and no pressure !!! Some experience with using the ‘darning foot’, which allows you to stitch freely in any direction is important. Try practising, even a little, beforehand, so that you are confident with it and excited about its amazing possibilities

Materials and additional costs: 

  • A sewing machine, with which you are very familiar and well practised with using the Free-Motion Foot  /  Darning Foot, which facilitates free machine stitching.
  • Sewing machine needles – sizes ranging from 75 to 90 or even 100.
  • A variety of machine sewing and /or  machine embroidery threads ( cotton, polyester, rayon, viscose etc, ) in the following colours for the first project : several greens, one white, one pale blue, one pale pink, one pale yellow, one metallic silver and one metallic gold. After that, bring everything ! *
  • Some coloured pencils.
  • An embroidery hoop at least 9 inches in diameter or slightly larger. 
  • A quarter of a metre of thin white cotton / polyester sheeting 
  • Some printed images for the subject you choose to do after Richard has taken you through his prepared design

Suitability:

Beginners – advanced but must have confidence in using sewing machine and darning foot

Spaces

12

Price: £124 / £158

Please call 01452 733942

The Wildlife Art Society International Annual Show
May 23 @ 10:00 am – May 31 @ 5:00 pm

 
Lesley Connolly and Lucy D’Auvergne

Wildlife Art Society International Annual Show

One of a  series focusing on our desire to highlight and encourage active creative groups celebrating the natural world.

Over 300 works in a huge variety of media celebrating artistic endeavour and the diversity of nature. Artists at work every day.

May
26
Tue
May Half Term Children’s Activities @ Education Centre
May 26 – May 29 all-day

May Half Term Activities 

We have loads of outdoor nature-themed activities keeping us busy through half term.

Morning session: 10am – 11:30am  

Afternoon Session 1pm – 2:30pm

Here is what we have going on each day:

Tuesday 26th May – Yoga and Rock Painting.

Wednesday 27th May – Salt Dough and Seed Decorations.

Thursday 28th May – Sun Prints.

Friday 29th May – Nature Journals

Tickets cost £8 per child. This includes one child entry to activity and one child and one adult entry to gallery. Tickets are all available for booking here: https://natureinart.org.uk/activitydays/

Yoga for Kids @ Education Centre
May 26 @ 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Come and join in for some yoga fun and games with our Education Officer! Either in the Education Centre or in our lovely garden, we will be doing some exercises, games, balancing, mindfulness and so much more.

Age: 3 – 12

Yoga mats are provided! Adults encouraged to join in with their little ones.

 

Make sure you are wearing comfortable, breathable clothing to move around in freely.

 

Either book online, call in or just ask at the shop if there are spaces available.

May
30
Sat
Painting a Kingfisher on Bulrushes with Kim Thompson
May 30 @ 10:00 am – May 31 @ 5:00 pm

Course details:

Having used acrylics for over 35 years as a wildlife artist and illustrator, Kim Thompson has learnt many useful techniques to achieve the detailed results seen in her work which she will share on this two day course. 

Working from start to finish, using acrylics on board, participants will paint a Kingfisher perched on Bull rushes. The process is broken down into easy to follow steps, learning about composing a scene from photo reference and sketches, the fast drying time of the paint, building layers and adding the details and textures found in nature. 

This workshop will appeal to those who are looking to establish a good understanding of using acrylics or who might have already tried them and want to learn more about this versatile paint. Kim is a considerate and encouraging tutor and will bring a relaxed approach to the two days.

Materials and additional costs: 

  • £20 cash to be paid to tutor for a range of acrylic paints, pencils, painting surfaces and brushes and all other items which will be used in the workshop.

Suitability:

Improvers

Spaces

12

Price: £124 / £158

Book here 

Jun
12
Fri
Spinning Plates
Jun 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm

Balancing commercial illustration vs personal painting. Come and hear Darrell Warner talk about the differing mindset of an artist practising in two very different fields. As an international award-winning illustrator in the film industry, the pressure to deliver within a time frame calls for some extraordinary commitments for both self and family whilst donning the creative painting hat presents other more profound questions of personal quest and fulfilment. Both approaches in turn feed an artistic want whilst informing one another. An evening for everyone!

Doors open 7pm to view Darrell’s exhibition. Finger buffet 7:30pm, followed by talk. Finish 9.15pm

£13 + booking fee – click here to book

If you are a student, call us on 01452 731422 and we’ll book you in at 50% off.