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 Practical: Art for All - Summer

This is a practical art course where you will explore a range of art materials to create personal drawings and paintings. Grab your sketch pad, pencils or charcoal and join this friendly art class, where you'll learn basic techniques. You don't have to be an accomplished artist to join this group, this class is for everyone regardless of ability. Your tutor will explain different art techniques and give you the encouragement you need to find your inner artist.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/05/2024 -
Thu 30/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Four Courts Community Centre (St. Leonar
Sydney Close
St. Leonards-on-Sea
TN38 9DD
Tutor:
Beverley Sell
Course code:
Q00009456
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Art Practical: Gel Print Painting: Advanced

Gel printing is colourful, exciting and highly addictive! It is a modern way of making prints without a press. Gel printing is a fast and easy way to make collage fodder. This 2.5 hour online workshop session for those who have some prior knowledge of gel printing will introduce further techniques and can lead to some finished prints that can be framed or used to make greetings cards. We will be using simple materials that are easily accessible to create masks and stencils and produce layered, more complex prints. Come along and join us for this exciting creative session.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/05/2024 -
Fri 10/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Roz Beeson
Course code:
Q00014409
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £9.25

Professional Development: Preparing for the IELTS Exam (Speaking)

Are you looking to take an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam in speaking skills? Are you looking to improve your understanding of what is required to undertake an IELTS exam to help with your work or study, then this course is for you. The exam is designed to help people who want to study or work where English is the native language (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). This is an introductory course in preparation for the exam. You can progress to other IELTS courses in that you may be interested in taking to make further progress.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 22/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sally Kawamura
Course code:
Q00014206
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Craft: Intermediate Sustainable Sewing - Sashiko and Boro Mending

The environmental impact of textiles production is becoming more and more important. Why buy new when you can create your own unique designs using what you already have? This course will teach you plenty of skills on how to mend your clothes beautifully and originally. We will look at the historical art of Sashiko patterns and the Boro mending technique that was used in Japan in the Edo period. There will be plenty of beautiful patterns to choose from and to learn about and to sew yourselves. As this course is intermediate, a grasp of basic hand sewing is needed.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 29/07/2024
Times:
11:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Spear
Course code:
Q00014433
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £81.40

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),
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  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Art Practical: Summer Themed Watercolours for Intermediate Level

Have you learnt the basics of painting in watercolours and are looking for fresh ideas? Why not join this course, explore your own creativity and find new inspiration? Do you want to learn different methods for painting flowers, trees and other seasonal Summer scenes? This six week Summer themed course aims to provide lots of ideas and techniques for working spontaneously and expressively. You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of approaches to painting as well as sharing ideas and taking part in weekly discussions about your artworks with the tutor and other students on the course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 24/06/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Deborah Crofts
Course code:
Q00015081
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Art Practical: Ways into Watercolour - Experiments with Collage and Texture

This course will help you develop a more experimental approach to working with watercolour; specifically, how to create different textures and explore personal ways in making images. It will follow on from previous courses but can be enjoyed as a single course for both beginners and those with more experience. We will be adding things like pigment placers, playing with additives, building interesting shapes using collage, and ways of mixing wax media with watercolour to create imaginative and spontaneous imagery. Although subject matter will be provided, you will be encouraged to use a range of resources (digital, from magazines, from your own sketches) as motifs and ideas for the artwork.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 22/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Millman Street Resource Centre (London)
50 Millman Street
London
WC1N 3EW
Tutor:
Debra Collis
Course code:
Q00015259
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.20

Craft: Beginners' Sustainable Sewing - Small Sewing Projects

If you are a beginner sewer and would like to get started with some small, easy projects, come and join this new course. No previous experience of the sewing machine is necessary. We will start with getting used to the machine and making a simple pin cushion. This will also make us think about what fabric we can recycle and how to use up all the little scraps of fabric you may have and are not sure what to do with. You will find that many useful and decorative items can be created at home using materials you already have instead of buying new.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 23/07/2024
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Spear
Course code:
Q00014243
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £122.10

Creativity for Calm: Mindfulness Mandalas

This TEAMS workshop has been created to celebrate Learning at Work Week. Are you looking for a relaxing hobby to help you unwind? Creating moments of calm in the day is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. Step into the world of mindful doodling with this workshop and enjoy art for relaxation. Our experienced tutor will guide you step-by-step through the process, so no experience is necessary. Creating a Mandala can be a simple aid to achieving a state of mindfulness and best of all, you can easily complete this workshop whilst at your desk!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 14/05/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Joanne Liddle
Course code:
Q00015339
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Art Practical: Watercolour Painting - Spring Into Summer

Using the rich variety of plants and flowers that surround the Tumbly Hill Centre in Kingsbridge, this friendly and inclusive course will offer the opportunity for you to study a different flower each week, then learn how to draw it with accuracy and confidence. By studying each plant closely you will be able to interpret its structure and colours in all their complexity. This is a relaxing and meditative watercolour painting class for those who are interested in exploring and finding out more about the Natural world, as well as producing paintings of great beauty.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 19/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Tumbly Hill Day Service (Kingsbridge)
Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge
TQ7 1HN
Tutor:
Mary Boreham
Course code:
Q00013940
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Craft: Intermediate Sustainable Sewing - Sashiko and Boro Mending

The environmental impact of textiles production is becoming more and more important. Why buy new when you can create your own unique designs using what you already have? This course will teach you plenty of skills on how to mend your clothes beautifully and originally. We will look at the historical art of Sashiko patterns and the Boro mending technique that was used in Japan in the Edo period. There will be plenty of beautiful patterns to choose from and to learn about and to sew yourselves. As this course is intermediate, a grasp of basic hand sewing is needed.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 24/07/2024
Times:
9:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Spear
Course code:
Q00014244
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £81.40