WEA courses

In five short weeks we will look at and talk about the outpouring of talent which happened over a few years, one talent encouraging another. Venice was the most powerful city state in Italy. It was the richest city and the premier port because its position dictated its links to the vast trading wealth of the East. The power this wealth gave them and their privileged access to trade goods also led to an extremely stable political system which lasted for 1,000 years and it was known as “La Serenissima”.

Join us to unleash your creativity and develop your skills in mediums of your choice to respond to the projects. This course will give you the opportunity to explore a range of themes and ideas which will inspire creative responses using a range of mediums to suit subject and preference. Join us to be inspired & creative. Learners will develop and share ideas within the sessions. Whatever your creative direction this course is designed to inspire and guide you to develop your creative confidence. Discover how the enjoyment of creative art can be creatively enjoyable and beneficial for well-being.

In this comprehensive course, you will dive into the captivating world of acrylic painting. Over the duration of the course, you will be guided through a journey that encompasses fundamental drawing and painting skills. You will develop the ability to recalland apply various drawing and painting techniques with a specific emphasis on the versatility of acrylics. Gain an in depth understanding of these techniques, enabling you to expertly compare, contrast, and evaluate their effectiveness in your acrylic artwork. At the end of the course, you will put your skills to the test as you independently craft a final outcome in the medium of acrylics.

Do you struggle to adjust as the season changes? Many of us experience depleted energy levels, a lack of motivation and a lower mood as the days become shorter and colder. This mindfulness and meditation course can support you to feel a sense of equilibrium as we adjust to the changing season. You will learn to anchor in the present moment through your own body, breathing and surroundings. Mindfulness practice supports you to relax and replenish your energy levels and encourages mental clarity. Each session includes a guided Yoga Nidra practice to encourage deep rest of your whole being. This course aims to encourage you to celebrate the shift in season, recognising that it is natural to slow down as we move towards winter. It is a perfect time to practice mindfulness, turn our focus inwards and find joy in rest.

Develop your skills to draw with confidence in line, tone and form and create art inspired by objects around you.

This which go bump in the night, are some to quick to dismiss anything ghostly or supernatural as ‘horror’? Films which feature haunting and/or the supernatural so often rely on the fear of what might happen, mystery and suspense. As Alfred Hitchcock once said, ‘there is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it’. We examine of this is also true of a good ghostly tale on film, like a thriller keeping the audience wondering what might happen? How do they do this, what techniques do they use? Films such as 1961’s The Innocents are noted as classics of the genre, adapted from a literary source, with memorable shots and scenes it still has the power to unnerve but has some of this been lost as other films copy its template? Ealing’s Dead of Night is now an influential cult classic but an oddball for the studio so noted for its comedy, what does it indicate about immediate post-war Britain? Rosemary’s Baby is now noted as pushing the genre forward into the modern age, from external terrors to fears lurking within society itself, 2001’s The Others attracted a broad audience, with fleeting nods to The Innocents, how did it re-energise the ghost story on film for the 21st Century. Whilst Ghost Story serves as an example of an all too often curio worth seeing for every fan of a ghostly tale. The Innocents (1961), Dead of Night (1945), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Ghost Story (1974), The Others (2001).

A chance to ask historical questions about the most famous individual in history. Did Jesus even exist? What historical sources do we have about him? Are the gospels reliable? What was Jesus’ attitude to the Roman Empire? Why was he crucified? On this introductory course, you will find out what historians say about Jesus – from the issues on which most scholars agree to those on which they are bitterly divided. You will have chance to apply historical scrutiny to some early texts about Jesus – including from the New Testament – and to draw your own conclusions about what we can know and whether it matters. This course is open to people of any religion and none.

From work, play, education, games, birth, death, love and punishment - this course will explore the evidence for the daily life of individuals and the elite in ancient Egypt. We will look at the map of the region and follow the Nile down. We will explore Egyptian chronology, urban life, temples and pictures depicting the religious life of the people.

Are you fascinated by art and how it developed, and would like to know more? Humans have always expressed their spirituality through art, from the earliest cave drawings to contemporary installations in cathedrals. This course concentrates on how European art has depicted the Christian faith, but also looks at the art of Islam and the Indian art of Buddhism and Hinduism. Beginning with cave art around the world, we look at some of the earliest artistic expressions of humanity’s search for the beyond. Buddhist and Hindu art from the centuries before Christ is discussed, as is art from the earliest roots of Islam from the seventh century onwards.

During this friendly and creative course, you will continue to use your sketchbook and art practice as a starting point to develop your work. You will have the chance to gain more confidence in your unique artwork by trying out different materials and techniques to create bigger scale work. You will be able to use the creative experiments carried out in your sketchbooks and on paper to progress your art practice by using your preferred techniques and materials. The many techniques, materials, themes, concepts and artists that influence your artwork will be crystallised into more finished pieces during this course.