Improve your arts & craft skills, or learn some new ones

We’ve got the best modern arts and crafts classes that you can do online or in person at one of our learning venues across England and Scotland. It's never been easier to try your hand at something a little different and discover a new talent.

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Our arts and crafts workshops are perfect if you’re looking to get creative and hands on.

Show your creativity

Take centre stage with one of our performing arts courses, or indulge your photography passion and strike a pose with tips and techniques on how to capture that perfect shot.  

Develop the skills and get crafty with some jewellery making, with no previous experience required. With courses in textiles and sewing, as well as the arts, we really do have something for everyone, and everyone is welcome too.  

Small focused groups

The combination of small class sizes and guidance from expert tutors means that taking part in one of our arts and crafts courses is the perfect place for you to develop your talent, learn a new skill, or start that hobby you’ve always wanted to try.

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Art Appreciation: Sculptures and 3D Art

This 5 week course delves into the works of 5 street artists including Damian Ortega, Antony Gormley, Marc Quinn, Rachel Whiteread and Micheal Craig-Martin. Each week explores key art concepts including, colour and composition through sampleas of their work. You will engage in group discussions, take notes, and recall information. By the end of the course, you will be able to name significant sculptors, describe their artistic methods, sport similarities and differences among their work, deconstruct essential components of artworks, and select a preferred piece based on personal opinion.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 28/03/2025 -
Fri 09/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Castle Methodist Church (Colchester)
Maidenburgh Street
Colchester
CO1 1TT
Tutor:
Abbie Cairns
Course code:
Q00017692
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Art Practical: Improvers Drawing and Painting - Still Life

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of practical drawing and painting techniques with a specific focus on still life compositions. Through a series of hands-on exercises and projects, students will develop their artistic skills and gain a deeper understanding of the principles and elements of art. In a supportive and collaborative environment, participants will learn to observe and capture the essence of still life objects using various drawing and painting mediums. Through a combination of demonstrations, discussions, and individualized feedback, students will refine their abilities to render form, texture, and light with accuracy and sensitivity.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Springbourne Library Community Room (Bou
297A Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8BX
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00016822
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Art Practical: Exploring Drawing and Painting - Still Life

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of practical drawing and painting techniques with a specific focus on still life compositions. Through a series of hands-on exercises and projects, students will develop their artistic skills and gain a deeper understanding of the principles and elements of art. In a supportive and collaborative environment, participants will learn to observe and capture the essence of still life objects using various drawing and painting mediums. Through a combination of demonstrations, discussions, and individualized feedback, students will refine their abilities to render form, texture, and light with accuracy and sensitivity.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Times:
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Springbourne Library Community Room (Bou
297A Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8BX
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00016824
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Art Practical: Art and Craft

This course is for students to improve confidence in their ability to develop artistic skills and creativity. Learning the skills of a variety of crafts to make unique dimensional projects, using a variety of resources including recycling when possible. You will learn using a range of different teaching and learning activities to include watching and following step by step demonstrations, with one to one help and guidance. You will learn in a safe welcoming and supportive environment, working together with fellow students and the tutor. The course is suitable for a complete beginner in crafts. No prior knowledge is needed, just a desire to learn and develop your skills and creativity.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 02/05/2025 -
Fri 11/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Hull Scrapstore (Hull)
Dairycoates Avenue
Hull
HU3 5DB
Tutor:
Julie Smith
Course code:
Q00017867
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Photography: Introduction to Still Life Photography

Still life is a unique genre of photography, which depicts inanimate objects or subject matters devoid of people. On this course you will learn how to look closely and consider ways of making the ‘ordinary’ appear interesting and extraordinary! You will experiment with composition, lighting and set-up, whilst considering how objects, possessions and natural forms symbolise some kind of story. You will learn how to read and discuss images with others, reflecting on your own images, when considering visual communication.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 02/05/2025 -
Fri 06/06/2025
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017809
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £105.00

Still Life Photography - Personal Outcomes

This follow on course offers you the opportunity to plan and develop a personal outcome based on the photographers and styles covered in the previous course. You will be encouraged to reflect on your progress so far, evaluating which of the photographers inspired you the most and why? You will then be encouraged to choose just one Photographer to research and explore in depth, analysing and responding to their work in your own original way. Whilst researching, you will be practising how to make a photography journal, printing and writing about the development of your ideas.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/06/2025 -
Fri 18/07/2025
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017193
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

Art Practical: Paint an Expressive Landscape with Acrylic

Unlock the vibrant world of acrylic painting in our one-day workshop, "Paint an Expressive Landscape with Acrylic," held at the Springbourne Library. This immersive course is designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, providing a comprehensive introduction to the techniques and principles of landscape painting using acrylics. During this enriching day, you will delve into the expressive potential of acrylics, learning to capture the essence and mood of a landscape through colour, texture, and composition. Guided by an experienced artist instructor, you will explore various painting techniques, from bold brushwork to subtle blending, to create dynamic and evocative landscapes.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/07/2024 -
Fri 12/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Springbourne Library Community Room (Bou
297A Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8BX
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00015414
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £23.10

Art Practical: Develop a Portrait in Chalk Pastels

Unleash your creativity and dive into the vibrant world of chalk pastels with our one-day course, "Develop a Portrait in Chalk Pastels." Held at the Springbourne Library in Bournemouth, this course is designed to cater to artists of all levels, from beginners eager to explore a new medium to seasoned artists looking to refine their skills. The course will cover various aspects of portrait drawing, including composition, proportion, shading, and facial features. Whether you're interested in capturing a loved one's likeness or exploring expressive and abstract interpretations, this course offers a versatile approach to portrait artistry.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 19/07/2024 -
Fri 19/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Springbourne Library Community Room (Bou
297A Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8BX
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00015493
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Art Practical: Learn to Draw and Paint Animals in Watercolour and Mixed Media

Learn to Draw and Paint Animals in Watercolour and Mixed Media Unleash your creativity and connect with nature's beauty in our one-day course, "Learn to Draw and Paint Animals in Watercolour and Mixed Media," hosted at the welcoming Springbourne Library and facilitated by The WEA (Workers' Educational Association). This inspiring workshop invites participants to explore the vibrant world of animal artistry through watercolour and mixed media techniques. Throughout the course, you'll be guided through the process of capturing the essence and character of animals in your artwork. With expert instruction, you'll learn to use line, tone, texture, and colour to bring your chosen animal portrait to life in a unique and expressive way.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 26/07/2024 -
Fri 26/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Springbourne Library Community Room (Bou
297A Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8BX
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00015420
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £23.10