7 adults-only craft workshops in Newcastle and Gateshead this month
These workshops Newcastle and Gateshead-wide are ideal if you fancy getting your hands dirty and learning a new skill – with everything from pottery and life drawing to flower arranging in the offing.
LIFE DRAWING LATE
When: Wednesday 24th May
Where: Newcastle Arts Centre
If you’re a budding artist fascinated by the human form and want to learn how to draw someone like one of their French girls, then a cheeky life drawing class is for you.
Due to popular demand, Newcastle Arts Centre how hold these classes weekly, led by award-winning artist Mark Bletcher and with a range of models on board so every evening is different.
HLN Hint: Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Easels and drawing boards are provided, as are some materials – but feel free to bring along your own, too.
Price: £15.00
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MAKE A GLASS BOWL
When: Saturday 3rd June
Where: Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
Working with glass blows our minds – it’s a skill we associate with ‘proper artists’ and one we could only ever dream of trying our hands at… until now.
In this craft workshop, led by a tutor from Kimoci Glass, you’ll be shown how to make a striking fused glass bowl using Bullseye sheet glass, frits, powders and metal inclusions. So, you’ll be guaranteed to draw a compliment or two at your next dinner party.
HLN Hint: Shipley Art Gallery requests you bring your own refreshments as there will be a break during the session.
Price: £45.00
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PLASTER CASTING
When: Saturday 3rd June
Where: Newcastle Arts Centre
One of the more fun and practical workshops Newcastle hosts will teach you the basics of mould-making and casting – meaning you’ll soon be able to prepare an object (or your own limbs!) to create the perfect plaster cast.
After experimenting with different methods, you’ll have created several plaster pieces to take home with you – along with the moulds you’ve created that can help you make more.
All abilities welcome and all materials provided.
Price: £60.00
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DRIED FLOWER BOUQUET MAKING
When: Sunday 4th June
Where: The Flower Folk, Newcastle upon Tyne
Dried flowers are really having a moment, guys.
If you’re anything like us and struggle to keep a cactus alive, dried flowers are a great way of bringing some nature into your home without any upkeep or pressure. Better still, dried bouquets bring a pop of colour and texture into your home décor that’s easy and affordable to change with the seasons.
In the next of their popular Newcastle workshops, The Flower Folk will share their top tips and help you explore ways of working with dried flower and foliage stems to create your own arrangement to take home with you.
HLN Hint: Your tutors will help you gift-wrap your creation at the end of the session. Or, if you have a vase you’d like to bring along, you can work with this so your arrangement sits perfectly inside.
Price: £32.00
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MIXED MEDIA PORTRAITS
When: Sunday 4th June
Where: The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle upon Tyne
Dan Cimmermann has been working as an artist for the last 10 years and has twice been selected for exhibition for the prestigious BP Portrait Award.
Don’t miss this chance to glean some of his pearls of wisdom as he leads this three-hour workshop dedicated to sharing how to create a mixed-media portrait. Under his guidance, you’ll produce at least two portraits that explore different artistic styles and which use different media to achieve varying results.
HLN Hint: This workshop is designed for all levels of experience. It’s recommended you wear an apron or old clothes.
Price: £50.00
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CUSTOMISE YOUR OWN SHOES
When: Saturday 10th June
Where: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Suitable for beginners, this surface design workshop will have you channelling your inner Carrie Bradshaw to create entirely bespoke shoes, or customised trainers that will see you becoming the talk of your sneakerhead friend circle in no time.
Artist Charlotte Jarps will guide you step-by-step through the design process as you learn different hand-painting techniques to achieve the look you’re after, including how to prep, paint and finish your artwork.
You’ll also receive a painting kit, meaning you can finish or touch up your designs at home.
Don’t forget to bring: a pair of shoes you want to customise (leather or vegan leather) and a rough idea of the design you want to create. All other materials will be provided.
Price: £45.00
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POTTERY: MAKE A CORKED BOTTLE HIPFLASK
When: Sunday 11th June
Where: The Pottery Experience, Newcastle upon Tyne
Another of the adults-only workshops Newcastle regularly hosts is ideal if you’re wanting to get your hands dirty and create a piece that’s guaranteed to become a talking point with your friends and family.
At The Pottery Experience, your host Lauren will teach you all you need to know to make a corked bottle using slabs and coils in this hand-building session (so no pottery wheel this time), which will become a dream vessel for any of your lotions and potions, or as a cheeky hipflask for a tipple on the go.
HLN Hint: While this workshop is on Sunday 11th June, you will return to The Pottery Experience four weeks later to paint your finished vessel.
Price: £33.00
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