Free weekly creative sessions — open to everyone, no need to book.

✨ Create & Connect
Wednesdays, 10:30–12:30
Bring along whatever you’re working on—whether it’s a sketchbook, drawing, crafting, or something else—and enjoy a friendly, supportive space to share ideas and connect with others.

✏️ Drawing for All
Thursdays, 10:30–12:30
Spend a morning drawing in our inspiring gallery setting. Take inspiration from the current exhibition, capture the view from the windows, or sketch each other in a relaxed atmosphere.

🧵 Sew Creative
Fridays, 10:30–12:30
Drop in for stitching sessions with fellow makers. We provide a selection of needles and threads—just bring your own fabrics and let your creativity flow.

The Life and Legacy of Hope Bourne

Journaling Our Landscape

The Spring Sessions – in-person workshops

with Anna Baker

Friday 27th March: 12 to 2.30

or

Saturday 28th March: 2 to 4.30

The Spring journal workshop
We will be exploring ways of responding to the natural world.
You can expect to work with experimental mark-making, simple print and transfer techniques.
You’ll be taught how to turn your responses into a pocket-sized concertina journal.

This workshop is about connecting with the land around us, slowing down, and noticing the small things.
It’s an opportunity to explore visual recording processes, play with ideas, and/or loosen up your sketchbook approach.
It’s suitable for absolute beginners through to established artists.

Please choose shipping option G) Workshops free shipping

Please note: when purchasing a place on this workshop, the email confirmation serves as a ticket; we will have your name for the workshop so there is no need to print it out.

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Colour, Design & Composition

A Three-Week Workshop Series with Sandra Meech

Tuesdays 14, 21 & 28 April
11am–1pm
ACEarts Café, Somerton
£30 per person (for all 3 sessions)
Limited to 6 participants

Join artist Sandra Meech for a practical and inspiring three-part workshop exploring colour, design and composition.

Week One: Understanding Colour

Working from your own source material (or a photo provided), we’ll explore the colour wheel, tonal values, and how to isolate key colour areas from an image. Participants will identify a focused palette of 5–7 colours and consider proportion, balance and harmony. Coloured pencils and handouts will be provided, along with example samples for inspiration.

Week Two: Exploring Design

We’ll look at how we perceive images in landscapes, magazines and artworks, and explore classic compositional structures such as the rule of thirds, stripes, T-shapes and angled compositions. Using a limited colour palette, participants will experiment with coloured papers and magazine cuttings to create a range of small design studies.

Week Three: Composition Through Collage

Building on previous sessions, we’ll develop simple landscape or abstract compositions using collage. This may include glueing paper or pinning fabric onto cotton, with the possibility of incorporating stitch. Sandra will demonstrate techniques, with a sewing machine available for optional demonstration work.

This small, supportive group is ideal for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of colour relationships and composition — whether working in textiles, mixed media or other creative disciplines.

Info and booking

Info and booking

Acrylic Painting – From the Beginning

with Mandy McAllen

£210 for the complete programme.

Whether you prefer to spread paint on thick and juicy or mix it thin and transparent; whether you work with vibrant colours or blend subtle hues, acrylic is a very versatile medium offering as many possibilities as your imagination allows.
In a course of six workshop lessons with Mandy McAllen, you can learn the skills to give your ideas expression.
For beginners, or those who want to build their confidence.

Further Information
This course consists of six sessions, held on the first Friday of each month from 10:15am to 12:45pm.

Session dates: 1 May, 5 June, 3 July, 7 August, 4 September, 2 October

Whether you’re interested in landscapes, portraits, or abstract painting, it’s essential to develop a solid understanding of your materials – what they can do and how to use them effectively.

In this course, you’ll explore the fundamentals of acrylic painting, including colour mixing, brushwork, and a range of techniques, supported by creative and enjoyable exercises in a friendly environment.

Mandy will also share her expertise on materials, colour choices, surfaces, and brushes.

To help you get the most from the course, you’ll be encouraged to complete a small amount of homework between sessions.

Please bring:
• An apron or overall (note: acrylic paint does not wash out!)
• Any paints and brushes you already own – we will discuss these in class
• A disposable mixing palette, or a white china/plastic plate
• A water pot
• Rags
• And most importantly, an open mind!
• A workbook will be provided by Mandy.

Limited spaces, so book early to avoid disappointment

Book your place here

Please choose shipping option G) Workshops free shipping

Please note: when purchasing a place on this workshop, the email confirmation serves as a ticket; we will have your name for the workshop, so there is no need to print it out.