WEA courses

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.

Art Along the South Bank Walking Tour stops at the public sculptures along the South Bank which arrived on the riverside since the Festival of Britain in 1951. As well as the sculptures mounted on plinths in alcoves commissioned to adorn the exterior of the London County Hall, now a major tourist attraction. Discover one of London’s hidden gems, a totally un-curated sculpture park stretching from Westminster Bridge to the Royal Festival Hall. The meeting point is The South Bank Lion on Westminster Bridge Rd, and the walking tour will end on the Riverside Terrace at the Royal Festival Hall.

This micro course is designed for community learners who want to improve their job application success by learning how to tailor their CVs for different roles. In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to each job you apply for, and this course will provide the practical skills to do just that. Throughout the session, learners will explore the key components of a CV, including personal statements, work experience, skills, and qualifications. The course will teach learners how to adapt each section of their CV to match the job description, ensuring they present themselves as the ideal candidate. Learners will also learn about using keywords from job adverts to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and how to format their CVs to make a lasting impression. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to customise their CVs confidently for each job application, improving their chances of securing interviews. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their job application strategy and stand out to potential employers.

The CV writing workshop will empower Department for Work and Pensions claimants to create a new CV or update an existing CV with the help of an experienced tutor. You will learn the basic concepts and importance of an effective CV, ensuring that it includes personal details, information on education, work experience, key skills and references. Where appropriate you will receive support to tailor CVs to specific job roles with a view to improve prospects for being invited for an interview. It will be an opportunity to obtain individual feedback, review drafted CVs and address any individual queries and concerns.

Have you ever wondered what a painting means, and how to figure out what a sculpture is about? This session will give you some keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of works of art. We will mainly focus on interpretative skills: how do we identify the type of subject matter? How do we recognise and decipher symbols? Where can we find clues? And, can we rely on our subjective interpretation? This is quite literally an “eye-opener”, and should make your next visits to art galleries even more enjoyable!

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.