Genre: Classes

Take a mindful, creative pause in the run-up to Christmas and discover the calming joy of watercolours. Inspired by woodland treasures with a festive twist, such as holly, mistletoe and robins, this relaxed class will introduce you to simple techniques designed to build your confidence and spark your creativity. Perfect for complete beginners

Here’s what you can expect:
The 3-hour workshop is split into two parts. In the first two hours, we’ll explore simple watercolour techniques to help you build confidence at a relaxed pace. In the final hour, you’ll put your new skills into practice as you create your finished Christmas cards. All materials are provided, including high-quality watercolour paints, brushes and paper. With gentle guidance throughout, you’ll leave with three A6 Christmas cards, your practice paintings, plus the confidence and skills to continue painting at home.

Your tutor, Carla Gebhard, is a watercolour artist and illustrator based in the beautiful Forest of Bowland, where she runs a small shop and studio. Inspired by the magic of nature and the simple joys of life, she creates artwork for children, including timeless nursery prints, illustrated books and creative activities. Alongside her illustration work, Carla enjoys sharing the calming joy of watercolour through relaxed workshops for beginners. Her work is rooted in a love of nature, a sense of calm, and encouraging others to discover their own creativity.

10am - 1pm 
Minimum age 16. 
Maximum of 14 in the class
£65 pp including materials

Spend a day discovering the historical printing process of Cyanotype; making beautiful “blueprints” from natural forms, found objects and hand drawn transparencies.

You will learn about the history of the process, how to mix the solution to coat a variety of surfaces, prepare and print a large selection of paper to use as greetings cards or other creative projects and explore ways of mark making on transparent surfaces to make negatives.

Participants may wish to bring a small selection of personal items to print with, such as pressed flowers, flat objects including feathers, keys, paper templates, images to trace etc. but there will also be plenty provided by the tutor.

£85 (inc all materials)
10-4pm
Max numbers 10
Min Age 16. no previous art experience needed.

Kim is a professional artist, illustrator and author of Beginner’s Guide to Cyanotype (Search Press 2024). She has appeared on BBC Countryfile demonstrating cyanotype printing at Dove Cottage in Grasmere and also works as a bookseller at Grasmere’s Sam Read Bookseller.

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

Dive into the art of drypoint printmaking in this one-day workshop with artist Jenny McCabe. Drypoint is the simplest and most accessible intaglio print technique. Using scratching and sanding, you will make marks directly onto a printing plate to create lines and tones. Clear plastic plates allow you to see through and use reference materials like photos or sketches for extra creativity. Ink is then rubbed into the surface to create rich tones and textures on your own printed plate.

Led by Jenny, an experienced and encouraging tutor, you'll enjoy a hands-on, supportive environment, ideal for both beginners and experienced printmakers.

All materials are provided, so you can focus on experimenting with your designs and creating many unique prints to take home, just bring your own aprons and sketches or photographs you would like to work from!

Jenny is an experienced artist and printmaker based in Lancaster, focusing her work on the birds we find in our gardens, hedgerows and fields, using traditional printmaking techniques.

10am-5pm
£115 pp inc materials
Max Number ​8
Minimum age 18 years
Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

Christmas starts here with this wonderfully engaging workshop where you will have the opportunity to gild a large Christmas Ornament, and either a hanging Christmas Decoration, or a real walnut. Gilding walnuts is a Victorian Christmas tradition that has been cherished for over a century.

Amelia will guide you through learning the art of laying Dutch gold leaf and helping you to create wonderful items that will make fabulous mementoes of the day, or unique Christmas gifts for friends and family.

In this workshop you will:

Step into the spirit of the season and gild your own Christmas Ornament together with a hanging decoration or alternatively take a nostalgic journey back to the 19th century and in true Victorian fashion gild real walnuts. The Victorians transformed these into delicate decorations for fireplaces and Christmas trees. These charming ornaments often held secret messages, tucked inside to be opened on New Year’s Day. While Amelia's may not conceal surprises, they beautifully echo that enchanting era when 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens set the scene for a truly magical festive celebration.

Amelia has a Bachelor’s and Master's Degree in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Lincoln.  She is a gilt frame, objects and decorative surfaces conservator and restorer and has worked in the Fine Arts sector for over 4 years gaining extensive experience in restoring and conserving antiques. She currently conserves frames for the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne and Carlisle Cathedral. She has restored gilt frames for several high-profile individuals and celebrities, and was mentored for 3 years by Ruth Tappin, the expert gilder on the TV show ‘The Restorers’ on Quest and Discovery Plus.

Times: 10am-1pm
Minimum Age 16 years
Maximum of 16 in a class
£62.50 pp
£15 cash to be paid to tutor on the day to cover materials

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

2 Day Course

The curve top tote is a smart looking handbag with leather handles and a secure, recessed zip top. Suitable for making from light and medium weight tweeds, it showcases a beautiful fabric and is a lot easier to sew than it looks!

Dimensions: 33cm x 27cm x 12cm

Suitable for: those with a little bag making experience due to the zip top, but capable sewists who may be new to bag making might enjoy it too.

Materials charge per person: £30 (includes leather handles, zips, interfacing, hardware and full written instructions and printed pattern) to be paid in cash to Emma on the day

You will need to bring:

• Half a metre outer fabric - light or medium weight tweed
• Half a metre lining - cotton quilt weight or lawn
• Fat quarter contrasting lining fabric for a pocket
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Zipper foot
• Pins, pencil, ruler, scissors etc

10am – 3pm each day
Maximum number 8
Minimum Age 14 
£170  

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability). 

Celebrate the rich colours and atmosphere of autumn in this inspiring one-day watercolour workshop with Ruth Clayton.

In this relaxed session, Ruth will guide you step-by-step through a range of watercolour techniques as you recreate this autumn tree painting. You’ll master loose washes and use warm seasonal tones to bring depth, light and movement to your work.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artist looking to refresh and develop your skills, this workshop offers the perfect opportunity to explore watercolour in a supportive, encouraging environment. Ruth shares simple, effective techniques that make the process enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

At the end of the day, your finished artwork will be professionally framed (£7 on the day), ready for you to take home and proudly display, a beautiful reminder of a creative day immersed in the colours of autumn.

10am -4.30pm. 
£68pp including Materials
Maximum numbers 14
Minimum age 16 years

Please note tickets are non-refundable. Exchanges to other classes by the same tutor may be offered more than 2 weeks before the start date (subject to availability).