Why Not? Workshops
Welcome to the Why Not? workshops, our project to make creative arts more accessible to everyone in the community. The idea is to spend a couple of hours trying a new craft or skill whilst drinking tea (or coffee), eating cake and chatting (or sitting quietly). There's no pressure to produce a masterpiece (or anything at all) . It's all about having a go and enjoying spending time with other people. We keep the cost extremely low to make these sessions available to as many people as possible. Everyone is welcome.
We are delighted to announce that our why not try workshops and other accessible, low-cost creative activities will be starting again this September thanks to an Award for All grant from The National Lottery.
We are so excited that the team at Awards for All agreed with us that this project is really important to our community and a successful funding bid means we can continue to offer an array of workshops and activities at subsidised prices over the next 2 years.
Look out for the National Lottery logo on our website for subsidised events.
We have been very fortunate to receive funding from the Tesco 'Bags of Help' scheme, which has enabled us to buy a range of art equipment for the Chipping Hall including a sewing machine, height-adjustable table, printing tools and other supplies.
Update
In January 2023 we were fortunate to receive an Awards For All grant from the National Lottery to enable us to continue and develop the WNT workshop model. This year we have continued to run our very popular Sunday morning workshops, and expand the creative techniques we offer. A Thursday evening version has also been added to the programme where the usual refreshments are offered for free but the UTEA bar is also open. In addition we have been piloting a version of the workshops for teenagers, following the requests and ideas of local young people and their parents. An opportunity learn new or develop existing skills and share ideas.
Outreach... We're trying to reach as many people as possible to share the social and wellbeing benefits of creative activities and have been taking the workshops out to various groups and locations in the Wotton area. If you run a group, warm space or community drop-in and would like to explore the possibility of free creative workshops please contact Deb@utea.org.uk
New for Autumn... Creative cafe A drop-in cafe 2.30-4.30pm on selected Thursdays starting in November. No need to book, simply drop by for a hot drink (water and squash will also available) and join in with the art or craft activity. Suitable for any age.
Coming soon... Studio time If you'd like the chance to use a table in our studio, share ideas with others and use the art equipment, this is for you! This is something that many people have been asking for. If you've been to a workshop, loved the technique you've been introduced to and would like to spend more time developing your ideas this will be your opportunity to book a space and the equipment /materials you need. 4 people max per session. Please get in touch if this would be of interest to you.
The very first workshop: Why not try... lino-printing?
Thanks to everyone who came to the inaugural workshop! We had a fantastic morning of lino-printing (and some very nice lemon drizzle cake...)
"Great fun. Fab to learn a new art form without any pressure and meet some new people at the same time."
"Really enjoyed the class. Nice and relaxed and very therapeutic. Would like to do more and bring my friend along!"
"I really enjoyed my initial exploration into the art world and look forward to more sessions."