WEA courses

This micro course is designed for those who want to explore how to turn their creativity into a business. The course will outline the very basics of what you need to know in order to set up, and start running, a successful arts and crafts business whether creating and selling unique artwork, unique home décor, or jewellery. The course covers how to identify and define your niche within the arts and crafts sector; the basics of pricing products to ensure profitability; key steps to setting up an online shop or selling at local markets; simple marketing techniques to attract customers, including using social media. This course is perfect for beginners and requires no prior business knowledge. By the end of the session, you will have a clear understanding of the first steps needed to launch their arts and crafts venture and make your creative passions profitable.

This micro course is aimed at building community in diverse times and finding collaborative solutions for community issues. On this course you will understand how to use skills to create harmonious living and working environments. On completion of this course you will be awarded the digital badge: Peaceful Communities Advocate which honours individuals who actively promote peace, tolerance and unity within their communities.

This course equips learners with fundamental digital skills to support their education and lifelong learning. Designed for learners at all stages of their digital journey, it builds confidence in using technology for research, communication, and organisation. Key topics may include: • how to navigate devices: using computers, tablets, and smartphones for learning • online research: using search engines effectively and assessing reliable sources • digital communication: setting up and managing email, using educational platforms, and engaging in online discussions • document creation: writing, saving, and sharing documents using word processing tools • online safety: protecting personal information, recognising scams, and practicing responsible digital behaviour • accessing online learning resources: using e-books, videos, and virtual classrooms Through guided practice, where appropriate, and real-life learning tasks, participants will develop and demonstrate their digital confidence and independence. By the end of the course, learners will be able to effectively use technology to enhance their education and continue their personal development.

Discover the art of abstract landscape painting with our Art Practical: Learn to Paint an Abstract Landscape course. Learn techniques for blending abstraction with the natural world to create expressive and dynamic artworks. Ideal for artists looking to explore new styles and techniques.

Unlock your creative potential with our Art Practical: Exploring Drawing course. Learn fundamental drawing techniques and experiment with different styles and mediums. Ideal for beginners and experienced artists looking to refine their skills.

Learning about Abstract Art is fascinating and rewarding. This course covers its evolution from 19th-century pioneers like JMW Turner to movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Modernism, and up to the 21st century. It also highlights lesser-known female artists who have been overlooked by the art world. Each lesson starts with an interactive visual presentation featuring these examples. You’ll learn and practice using various drawing and painting materials, including inks, chalk, oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage, and mixed media. This course is suitable for complete beginners and those wanting to improve their skills and develop their own style.

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Th introduction to narrative theory provides you with a safe space to delve deep and express yourself creatively. Your art from this workshop will help you to consider your skills, strengths and sense of purpose, which can guide you through difficult times.

Master the art of landscape painting with our Art Practical:Paint an Expressive Summer Landscape course. Learn acrylic painting techniques for capturing the beauty of natural scenes in your artwork. Ideal for artists of all levels looking to develop their skills in landscape art, with the inspiration of seasonal beauty in our local environment.

This three-hour session delves into the often-overlooked history of women in photography, from its invention in the 19th century through to the mid-20th century. From Anna Atkins and Julia Margaret Cameron to Dorothea Lange, we will explore how women engaged with photography as scientists, artists, studio professionals, and social documentarians—often working against the grain of their time. Through a rich selection of images and stories, we’ll examine how gender, access, and creativity shaped their photographic practices. Spanning early experimental work to powerful 20th-century documentary photography, this course offers a fresh, inclusive perspective on the development of the medium

Spend an enjoyable afternoon in these award winning formal and peaceful gardens and capture in your sketchbooks scenes of unusual plants and plenty of vibrant summery colour. Whether you’re drawn to the classic architecture of early Victorian terraced houses peeking through the foliage or want to focus on close-ups of flowering trees and vibrant flowerbeds, there's something to stimulate every budding artist and sketcher. Be inspired by gardens and the peaceful environment, birds in the trees, and away from the bustle of the city. No matter your experience level, come along for a joyful, relaxed afternoon of art in nature.