Groups & Workshops

Winter 2025/26 Groups & Workshops

Monday: 10am-12pm Open Studio
Support for those who find weekends difficult. For those who feel isolated, lonely, have mental or physical ill health problems or struggle to fill time. This group allows for each person’s journey, projects and media used is tailored to individuals needs. We explore a range of media including fused glass, painting, writing, sketching, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, photography, resin and as requested.
By application as it is a small group to help those who struggle with social anxieties.

Tuesday: 1-3pm Creative Wellbeing
A small group for clients of the Health & Wellbeing Coaches (HAWC) and those who have attended the group but been discharged from HAWC services.  At the start of sessions an art project but bringing in your own project is encouraged. We explore a range of ways of working to provide an opportunity for people to see what types of art they like (or don’t!)
Once people have gained confidence and feel able they can then more into other groups at ArtWorks, outside of ArtWorks, volunteer, go on to do training & other courses, or move into work.

Wednesday: 10am-12pm Art Social - Make Art & Make FriendsThis is a space where you can bring in your own work and ideas. You can bring in any art/craft supplies you like to use and bring them into ArtWorks where you will have a place to work and meet like minded people.  You can bring in: paintings, drawings, colouring in, knitting, crochet, diamond art, photography, needle felting any work you have in progress or would like to work on.  We have volunteers on hand who can give you help or advice if you need it. Basic equipment provided (pens, pencils, felt tips, A4 paper) plus refreshments.

Wednesday: 1-3pm South Cumbria Age UK: Art Group
For complete beginners to accomplished artists this group is fun and welcoming. We explore a range of art media and is led by what the group wants to do. Please apply via Age UK.

Thursday: 1.30-4pm Men’s Make & Mend : A men’s only group to encourage people to socialise and complete meaningful tasks. Sharing skills the group work together to produce all manner of items, many of their products are sold in ArtWorks and at Makers Markets, fairs etc. Open to all men.

Friday: 10am-12pm Arts and Minds : Open to all this fun group is to help improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. We explore all sorts of themes and art techniques, and the group helps decide on what we do.

Friday 1-3pm Open Studio : The second session for Open Studio members providing activities for over the weekend. Members get to take materials home so they can continue with their projects and on Mondays everyone can show the group what they have worked on.

Sunday: 10am-12pm Write Club £5 per session : For all those who want to learn more about writing. It is all about being creative and enjoying writing. With ideas in every session that encourage you to put down your thoughts, you don't need to be good at spelling, punctuation or grammar. Each week a different writer/poet leads the group including Caleb Staps, Ann Grant, Tammy Tall Tales and Sue Kysh.

Sunday 12.15-1.15pm ArtWork Voices £5 : Led by Karen Baxter this is a fun, enthusiastic singing session. It is open to anyone whatever your singing ability...and we mean everyone! Musical instruments e.g. shakers, triangles, kazoos provided. Karen describes the group as "a hen night without the alcohol"... this is true some of the time but the group can behave at times.

Monday: 6.30-8.30pm Needle Felting with Sally Benson £20
Specialist 'needle felter' Sally Benson teaches you how to needle felt. Projects are provided or you are welcome to bring in kits you have bought. A lovely social group with all materials provided and great cake!

Tuesday: 6-8pm Pottery with Kathryn Stevens £110 for 6 weeks
Check times to sign up for this great class with professional sculptor Kathryn. Learn how to make your own project with advice and techniques from wedging clay, building, adding texture and glazing.

Wednesday-Friday evenings 6-8pm Guest Artist Workshops individually priced
Check regularly to see which specialist artists are running workshops. We have a range of artists that visit ArtWorks including: Marianne Birkby-wildlife artist (working in mixed media), Clare Addison printmaker, Marilyn Anne Hale glass fusing, Sally Benson needle felter, Catherine MacDermuid portrait painter, Gilli Slater textile artist and are always looking for other community based artists.

COMING BACK SOON... Snap Happier! Photography Group
** PLEASE NOTE THIS GROUP IS ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE** Led by a professional photographer this group is for those who want to learn to be more creative when taking photos. Technical information is kept to a minimum but provided so that you can learn more about how cameras work. Mobile phones, your own camera or you can use ArtWorks cameras. We work together to take photos out and about or in ArtWorks and download what we take into Photoshop and/or Canva. Work is exhibited on our Facebook page and printed and displayed in ArtWorks. Open to all.