What we’re about

Visual arts workshops for adults to experiment with different techniques and connect with others. We provide a supportive atmosphere for people to come together, find their own artistic style, and be inspired and influenced by others.

Everyone is welcome, whether you feel like an experienced artist, a complete newbie, or somewhere in between!

The theme for January – July 2023 was Natural Forms, part of the INSPIRE season at St Margaret's House, seeking inspiration from and about the environment and ecological crisis. Fortnightly workshops offered prompts and ideas around different techniques, subject matter and artists, all influenced by the natural world. We explored painting, mark making, lino printing, mono printing and cyanotype printing, and also collaborated with artists working in other artforms including poetry, textiles and movement. The term ended with an Exhibition and Open Evening, and our work will be on display in the window of The Create Place on Old Ford Road for the rest of the summer!

The next term will begin in October 2023 and will be exploring new techniques, as well as digging in deeper to some of the ones we have already looked at. We will continue to collaborate with other artists, and will be hosting another workshop with The Flax Exchange project, which was a very popular workshop this term.

Sessions typically include guided warm up activities to get your creativity flowing, leading into longer periods of individual painting and drawing. You are also welcome to take the theme and prompts in your own direction and come along to simply enjoy creating in the presence of others.

Sessions are £6 each, which covers Meetup fees, materials and space hire. Each term a couple of specialist sessions will have a higher cost to cover specific materials.

Accessible places: If booking ahead is difficult due to a health condition or disability, we are able to refund your place if your health means that you are no longer able to make it when the day of the workshop arrives. Please let Georgia know if this applies to you at the time of booking by emailing georgia@sandpitarts.org.uk

Sandpit Arts is offered in partnership with The Create Place, part of St. Margaret's House. The Create Place is a community space that promotes core values of wellbeing, personal empowerment and community spirit where both teachers and students benefit from an atmosphere free of judgement or competition. For more information please visit https://www.stmargaretshouse.org.uk/the-create-place