WORKSHOPS

SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Head in the Clouds

FREE Drop-in sessions to help create a special dreamscape display and try out model making.

Dreamy Watercolour Landscapes

Wed 24 & Sunday 28 July 2 to 4pm

Learn essential watercolour techniques with Simon Stephens to create your own dreamy landscapes. Please bring your own watercolour essentials including paper, brushes and paints. Limited spaces.

£20 per person Book on Eventbrite HERE

Customise your own bunny light

Thurs 25 July 2-4pm

Come join us at Sprout Arts on Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 2pm for a fun and creative event where you can customise your own bunny light! Let your imagination run wild as you decorate your very own bunny-shaped light to add a touch of whimsy to your home decor.

This event is perfect for all ages, so bring your friends and family along for an afternoon of crafting and creativity. No prior experience is necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and don't miss out on this unique opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind piece for your home. See you there!

£5 per light, limited spaces and children must be accompanied by an adult, Book on Eventbrite HERE

Paper lantern workshop

Fri 26 July, 2 to 4pm

Join us at Sprout Arts for a fun and creative paper lantern workshop! If you love drawing then this is the workshop for you.This hands-on event is perfect for all ages and skill levels. Our talented instructors will guide you through the process step by step, so don't worry if you're new to crafting. Come alone or bring a friend - it's a great way to spend a few hours getting crafty and socializing. Let your creativity shine and light up your night with a handmade lantern! £5 includes materials. For details and to book visit Eventbrite HERE

Silk painting workshop

Thurs 1 Aug, 2 to 4pm

Welcome to our Relaxing Silk Painting Workshop! Join us for an afternoon of creativity and relaxation at Sprout Arts on Fri Aug 09 2024 at 14:00. Let your imagination flow as you create your own beautiful silk painting masterpiece. No experience is necessary - our talented instructor will guide you every step of the way. All materials will be provided, just bring your creativity and a willingness to unwind and have fun. For adults (over 16), don't miss this opportunity to learn a new skill and enjoy a peaceful afternoon of painting on silk.

£20 includes materials. For details and to book visit Eventbrite HERE

Magical Moving Monsters workshop

Fri 2 Aug, 2 to 4pm:

In this fun workshop, you'll get the chance to create your very own magical moving monsters. Let your imagination run wild as you design and bring to life your unique creature. No experience is necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Suitable for all ages and skills, our instructors will guide you through the process step by step, ensuring that you leave with a one-of-a-kind creation.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to unleash your creativity and make new friends - and get ready for a day of monster-making magic!

£5, includes materials. For details and to book visit Eventbrite HERE

Artist in Residence - Michelle Baharier

Join our FREE Drop-in sessions to help create a Furzedown Community Portrait. A collage of images, drawings, photos and ideas to display in the window, share your own portraits and pop your face into the special Peep-Hole Boards for something completly different!

Pen Portrait Workshop

Fri 9 Aug, 2:30 to 4pm

This 1.5 hour creative writing workshop is a safe, creative and fun space to try out different ways to write, whether you are interested in beginning creative writing, further developing your writing skills, or if you would like to write something to celebrate a friend, or loved one, or produce a self-portrait in words. Using gentle and playful prompts you will be encouraged to bring out your own voice and style, and to get your ideas and words flowing.

The session will be led by Sonia Thomas, a teacher and a practising visual artist, with over 30 years of experience in teaching literature and creative writing.

The workshop is for those over the age of 16. Maximum 10 participants, £15 per person

The Portrait Collage Workshop

Tuesday 13 Aug, 1:30 to 3pm

Make a piece of Art work to take home and hang in your home, facilitated by Artist Michelle Baharier. Create an imaginery portrait while learning about shapes and colours, using collage, magazines and newspapers, think about symbolisms to show who it is you are making. With glue and scissors.

This is open to any age (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). £20 per adult and £10 per child under 18, (people on limited income £15 adult/£5 per child) led by.

Book on Eventbright HERE (includes their fee) or pay on the door but please do this in advance as very limited space

'Women in the Frame' - Talk

Wednesday 14 Aug, 4:30 to 5:30pm

A talk by Michelle, about women artists, looking at self portraits and portraits from history and at the role portraits played in the work of women artists across different art movements. Focusing on artists such as Sofonisba Anguissola, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Judith Leyster, who presented themselves with confidence, asserted and promoted themselves in eras when society rarely deemed that appropriate for women.

This Talk, will lead on to informal discussions, allowing questions and answers, Michelle will facilitate the group, with their own learning and sharing of knowledge. Over 16s only, £12 (£10 on limited incomes) 15 people max. Pay in advance at the gallery. Includes a glass of wine or Juice and some delicious gluten free cakes - Orange and ginger and a vegan Lemon drizzle cake. Book on Eventbrite HERE

‘Book Stories’ Workshop

Thurs 15 Aug, 5 to 7pm

A special Workshop with Anna-Maria Amato, which explores the connections between our inner narrative and our environment. This art workshop will be a chance to illustrate our world and explore our stories. The workshop will involve looking at artists’ work, authors’ stories, our own art and stories, and considering how we find these in the ordinary-or extraordinary of our lives.

Over 16s only, £20 (£15 on limited incomes) 15 people max

Pablo Ruiz Picasso Portraits

Tues 20 Aug, 2 to 4pm

Join in a fun workshop looking at the work of Picasso, and create your own portrait – looking at how Picasso turned the world of portraiture upside down and then come and have a go, using a range of materials, including collage. Make your mark with a piece of work you can take home.

£20 (£15 on limited incomes). Over 12s only (children must be accompanied by an adult), 15 people max.

Cut-Out Poetry Workshop

Friday 23 Aug, 1 to 3pm

In this 2 hour Workshop we’ll be using words cut-out of papers and magazines to describe ourselves, creating fun poetry and then we'll share a reading to each other. Led by Michelle Baharier.

The cut-up technique (or découpé in French) is a literary technique in which a written text is cut up and rearranged to create a new text. The concept can be traced to the Dadaists of the 1920s, but it was developed and popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s, especially by writer William S. Burroughs.

£10 (£5 on limited incomes). Over 12s only (children must be accompanied by an adult), 15 people max.

SPROUT HUB

Mondays 10am to 12 noon

HUB is an opportunity for Artist members to get together informally to exchange ideas, taking place monthly in Sprout on Monday mornings. We have been running for about one year.

The programme is fluid, we have been deciding what we want to do from month to month. A favourite meeting was when a number of painters brought along a painting they felt did not work, and the group discussed why and how it could be improved. Subsequently we have drawn and painted together, but always having time to discuss the current exhibition (often the artist(s) are present) and any exhibitions visited by those present. Another topic for discussion was what constituted art. We have a rolling "chair" to ensure it isn't dominated by any one member.

If you are interested in taking part just let us know so you go on the mailing list.

GROUPS

POETRY AND PLAYREADING AT SPROUT

Friday every month 7-9pm at Sprout Arts

Poetry dates: Friday | Sept 6 | Nov 1 2024

Playreading dates: Friday | August 2 | Oct 2 2024

Two evening workshops share the First Friday slot from 7 pm to 9pm, each on alternate months.

The poetry group meets in January March May July September and November, both in person and via zoom, to share poems. The only rule is that it should be a published poem by someone other than yourself. You can choose a poem from any time or place, let us know the title and author and translator in advance. Please note, if you want to share your own poetry work or read out your own poems, this is NOT the group for you.

The play-reading group meets in February April June August October and December in person at Sprout. We all take part and get to read a part. Texts are provided courtesy of the Inter-Library Loans Service so we all follow the same edition.

Contributions on the night welcome, usually at least £2. Contact Sprout Arts for more details if you'd like to come along.

For poetry contact Valerie Taylor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Playreading contact John Valentine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“We don’t read poems because, like bran flakes, they’re good for us; we read them because we love them – and if you haven’t found a poem you really love, keep looking and I am sure you will.” Erica Wagner