Special Events
See what’s on when you’d like to visit or scroll through events below for inspiration!
Cyanotype All in Blue with Ellen Price - £30
Get creative with plants from our on-site garden and explore the fascinating process of cyanotype.
In this workshop you will learn how to create cyanotypes from the beginning! You’ll learn how to mix the chemicals and how to apply it to create the perfect print on card and a tote bag. You will be using a wide range of plants and objects to achieve your prints.
All materials included in the fee plus coffee on arrival. Workshops are based in our Garden Studio and include time to relax and explore the arts centre and wildlife garden, learn about the Florence Mine site and enjoy our Fair-trade coffee and teas.
Ellen started exploring alternative photography during lockdown in 2020. Particularly with Cyanotypes she really started to explore the process further, playing with the chemicals and creating a wide range of different Cyanotype prints. She finds this process so intriguing and because it is a very old medium loves to expand on the traditional methods within this type of art.
Suitable for those aged 16+ with reasonable mobility in their hands. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Interactive Stories For Families with Children Ages 3-8 - £5 per family
Take some time to get away from phones and iPads and come together as families for some quality quiet time listening to traditional folk tales. Bring a blanket and snuggle up together for some cosy interactive stories!
Interactive stories will engage younger children with actions, sound effects and repetition, and then families will be provided with a storyboard sheet to help them make up their own story.
This session takes place between 11:30-12:15. Best suited for families for children ages 3 to 8.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be a videographer filming the artist during this session.
Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Creative Writing ‘LIGHT’ with Annie Wilson - £30
As our days grow longer, from January to the lighter mid-year, you will create three or four pieces of writing at each monthly workshop. A wide variety of stimuli in a structured but informal atmosphere will be used to inspire your words, on the theme of LIGHT.
Whether you write regularly or you haven’t since leaving school, you are very welcome. All experience will be valued. Sessions may be fun and serious.
A great deal of research shows the benefit to our wellbeing of mindful, creative activity, such as writing in a group. You will certainly grow in confidence.
This April workshop is part of a series of workshops running now through to June. Sessions will take place once a month on Wednesdays, exlcuding March. Each session can stand alone though there will be a great benefit to attending all 6.Dates: January 22nd, February 26th, April 2nd, April 23rd, May 28th, June 25th.
Annie’s original degree was in Drama Education. She has delivered a wide variety of Community creative Education through the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) around Cumbria and beyond, with a special interest in mental health. Her most recent freelance work is facilitating Creative Writing in Community and Recovery settings. Her aim is to develop writing practice in individuals, through the enjoyable experience of Writing as a creative activity in a group.Annie lives in Cleator Moor.
Suitable for those aged 19+ years. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Watery Walks - Family Totem Walk - FREE
Let’s celebrate the River Ehen in Egremont!
Join artist Daniel Weatheritt and West Cumbria Rivers Trust to walk by the river and then help Daniel to design colourful sculptures from your discoveries
Young Creatives (16-25 yrs) 4 Day Course - FREE
Free 4 day course for 16 - 25 year olds from Wednesday April 9th to Saturday 12th, 10am - 4pm
Please apply here (it’s easy, honest!): https://forms.gle/cn6eByWKsyD3Bj2L9
Take your art to the next level in this 4 day art intensive. With artist George Collins and a small group of participants you'll explore experimental visual arts techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment and apply them to your own artwork:
Cyanotypes & Chemigrams – we will experiment with historical and alternative photographic processes to create unique, one-of-a-kind images.
Camera Obscura Room – We will transform a space into a large pinhole camera, exploring the fundamentals of light, exposure, and image-making first hand.
Independent Project Development – Each participant will conceptualise and create a piece that they can continue refining beyond the course.
George is an experienced artist and educator specialising in photography, film-making, and experimental visual arts and has lots of experience teaching photography, film production and art & design at Kendal College, as well as leading workshops at Brewery Arts and other arts organisations across the North West.
See George's work here instagram.com/georgecollinsphoto
Florence Paintmakers - Demonstration of Paintmaking Practice - £6
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.
Join Nikki and Dave in the paintmaking studio at florence arts centre. The Arts centre is on the site of the former iron ore (haematite) mine. Learn more about how we process the iron ore to create our signature egremont red colour in this demonstration. There will be opportunity to have a go yourself and of course ask questions. Friendly and warm atmosphere - a lovely interesting way to spend an afternoon.
We will talk you through the method of processing rocks into earth pigments and the different techniques we use to create our watercolour paints and chalk pastels. There will be time for questions at the end. Please feel free to explore the site before/afterwards - we have a shop, galleries, a cosy cafe and wildlife garden.
Animal Magic - Easter Playdays £3 - £5 per Child or Person
Take some time over the Easter holidays to bring the family to our Easter Playdays at Florence Arts Centre! On BOTH DAYS enjoy Play with Clay, Building Indoors/Outdoors, Storytime, Outdoor Trails, and Drawing Time.
On APRIL 16TH Only:
Morning Session 10:30am to 12:30pm
Pet Encounters 10:30am to 11:30am - £5 per PERSON
Pet Encounters 11:30am to 12:30pm - £5 per PERSON
Afternoon Session 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Pet Encounters 1:30pm to 2:30pm - £5 per PERSON
Pet Encounters 2:30pm to 3:30pm - £5 per PERSON
On April 17TH Only
Morning Session 10:30am to 12:30pm
Morning Session without Ceramic Painting - £3 per CHILD
Ceramic Dog Painting Session 11:30am to 12:30pm - £5 per CHILD
Afternoon Session 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Afternoon Session without Ceramic Painting - £3 per CHILD
Ceramic Elephant Painting 1:30pm to 2:30pm - £5 per CHILD
Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Re-fashion Textile Festival
11am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday
FREE entry
A chance to celebrate textiles of all kinds - especially vintage, preloved and reused with:
CRAFT AND VINTAGE STALLS including demonstrations of textile techniques
Stallholders will be listed here:
CUMBRIA CLOTHES SWAP (bring items to swap with the fantastic selection this volunteer organisation provide)
EXHIBITION by Fabricate textile artists and Handpicked Production Sekers sewing circles
WORKSHOPS by local textile artists - see individual events on the calendar to book a space
REFRESHMENTS by Truly Scrumptious
STASH BUST for fabrics, yarns and haberdashery:
Come and see what’s on offer to buy - CASH ONLY
Turn out your cupboards and make a bit of cash!
Bring items to sell in a plastic bag clearly labelled with the sale price, your name and phone number, - NB £1 per bag will be retained by Florence Arts
You must pick up unsold items by 3pm Saturday or Sunday as we can’t keep them and they will be thrown away or sold for donations to Florence Arts
Life at Flo - Drawing the Human Figure - £12
Come along to meet members of Flo's friendly local artist network and practice drawing from our life model. We'll welcome you with hot drinks and biscuits to help the inspiration flow!
The session will not be tutored so you will need to work independently and bring your own materials (including boards/easels if required). Come along from 6:15 to get settled in.
We do not want the fee to be a barrier to taking part. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss before booking.
Introduction to Watercolour Sketching with Aileen Robertson - £30
Watercolour is a quick and fun way to sketch a view. You will have the chance to play with the medium, exploring how the colour moves, trying out some fun techniques, and producing a sketch of a lake district view. No experience is required, this is a nice way to loosen up and explore your creative side. All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if preferred.
Aileen is a watercolour landscape artist working in Cumbria. She has a deep passion for hill walking and climbing, and this inspires her artwork as she tries to capture the feeling of freedom and the changing moods of the hills and wild places. Her work depicts local hills and views, as well as those further afield in Scotland and beyond.
Suitable for those aged 12+ with reasonable mobility in their hands. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Inspired to Write - Memoir
Have you ever wished to write but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you have experience of writing but frequently become blocked when a blank page faces you. This is quite normal for both would-be writers and professional writers alike. Our writing can become stagnant and stale or we simply don’t practice enough. Sometimes, time can be an issue, leaving us uninspired or motivated to even try. But don’t panic…this workshop is designed to reinvigorate your creative writing and your writing practice.
This workshop, led by experienced workshop leader and published, prize-winning writer, Karen Rollason, will feature a range of writing prompts designed to spark creativity. Using objects, photographs, and personal memories, participants will be guided through the creative process and can choose to write Poetry, Prose, or Flash Fiction—allowing them to express themselves in the form that best suits each prompt.
You will have the opportunity to explore your personal history as a source of inspiration for memoir writing. Through a series of guided exercises, you will progress from mapping memories to creating a polished piece. All forms and genres are welcome.
Attendees will be encouraged to maintain a journal of their writing, both during and after the workshop, with the hope of crafting a meaningful legacy for future generations.Sharing is entirely optional, ensuring a pressure-free and supportive environment.
Karen Rollason. A Radio Presenter, Published Writer and experienced Workshop Leader. Former chair of a writing circle in Kent. Karen’s writing has been published in a number of anthologies including Life Plus 2 Metres. She has won many Flash Fiction and Short Story writing competitions. She has a novel written which awaits a synopsis. When not writing, Karen enjoys genealogy and is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and has studied Writing for Therapy. Karen is a Mum of 2 and a grandmother of 4.
Suitable for those 18+ with a fair grasp of the English language. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Robot Building with Nick and Sarah - Youth Workshop (ages 12-16) FREE
Join us for our robot building youth workshop! In this session we will create incredible robots with recycled materials like spoons, tin cans, old tech, and more! With the support of experienced robot makers, Nick and Sarah, you'll be able to build the robot of your dreams to take home with you.
Important Information:
· For Ages 12-16. (1 ticket per child; if child is required to be accompanied by an adult, the accompanying adult does not need to book a ticket.)
· If you cannot attend the sessions, please cancel your ticket so the spaces can be made available for others, thank you.
. Refreshments included.
· You will need reasonable hand mobility. Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We also have an Accessible toilet.
Life at Flo - Drawing the Human Figure - £12
Come along to meet members of Flo's friendly local artist network and practice drawing from our life model. We'll welcome you with hot drinks and biscuits to help the inspiration flow!
The session will not be tutored so you will need to work independently and bring your own materials (including boards/easels if required). Come along from 6:15 to get settled in.
We do not want the fee to be a barrier to taking part. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss before booking.
Old Baby Mackerel Bluegrass Performance - Arts out West production £12 per ticket*
Old Baby Mackerel play high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass featuring a fantastic line-up of renowned musicians from some of the UK’s best folk, Americana and festival bands. Their music uses the sounds of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass to get knees bouncing and elbows swinging to the virtuosic sound of blistering solos and sweet harmonies. Be prepared to be transported back in time to the early 20th century and across the Atlantic to North America where songs dramatized the small town fascination with locomotion, the trials of murderous drunks and the veneration of whisky and bootleg liquor.
Doors open at 19:00.
Tickets can be bought via this link or onsite at Florence Arts Centre. https://thekirkgate.ticketsolve.com/.../events/129582279
Single Adult: £12
Family (Up to 4 with 2 adults maximum): £25
U18/Student: £6
Arcadia (revisited) Artist Family Event - FREE
A family event to meet the artists and create your own response to the exhibition by taking a short walk on site to sketch and creating a piece to add to the colourful gallery flags.
No need to book, just drop in!
Arcadia (revisited) Artist Talk - FREE
Join us for a short talk from the artists of our latest exhibition. Feel free to grab cuppa and have a chat with our three experienced artists afterwards. You can also contribute to the Arcadia (revisited) exhibition.
No need to book, just drop in!
Creative Writing ‘LIGHT’ with Annie Wilson - £30
As our days grow longer, from January to the lighter mid-year, you will create three or four pieces of writing at each monthly workshop. A wide variety of stimuli in a structured but informal atmosphere will be used to inspire your words, on the theme of LIGHT.
Whether you write regularly or you haven’t since leaving school, you are very welcome. All experience will be valued. Sessions may be fun and serious.
A great deal of research shows the benefit to our wellbeing of mindful, creative activity, such as writing in a group. You will certainly grow in confidence.
This February workshop is part of a series of running now through to June. While you will experience beneficial progress from attending all of them, each one stands alone if you prefer to book them individually.
Dates: January 22nd, February 26th, April 2nd, April 23rd, May 28th, June 25th
Annie’s original degree was in Drama Education. She has delivered a wide variety of Community creative Education through the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) around Cumbria and beyond, with a special interest in mental health. Her most recent freelance work is facilitating Creative Writing in Community and Recovery settings. Her aim is to develop writing practice in individuals, through the enjoyable experience of Writing as a creative activity in a group.Annie lives in Cleator Moor.
Suitable for those aged 19+ years. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Florence Discovery Day - £3 per child
Come along to our half term Discovery Day at Florence!
Drop in 10am-12 or 1-3pm. £3 per child. Tickets can be bought on the day.
Enjoy nature trails, stories, cardboard car making, play with clay, Minecraft minerals and more!
We do not want the fee to be a barrier to taking part. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss before attending.
www.florenceartscentre.com @florence arts 01946 82394
Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Life at Flo - Drawing the Human Figure - £12
Come along to meet members of Flo's friendly local artist network and practice drawing from our life model. We'll welcome you with hot drinks and biscuits to help the inspiration flow!
The session will not be tutored so you will need to work independently and bring your own materials (including boards/easels if required). Come along from 6:15 to get settled in.
We do not want the fee to be a barrier to taking part. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss before booking.
Make Space - FREE
Our regular wellbeing art sessions. Drop in, no need to book! Free hot drinks.
Thursdays 1pm - 3pm
Jan 16th - Feb 13th
Mar 6th - Apr 3rd
Feel like a walk? Walk with us to Florence from Egremont Co-op at 12.40pm to join the session.
Hot Wax with Heather Turner - Youth Workshop (ages 12-16) FREE
Join us for our hot wax youth workshop! In this session we will create incredible effects with coloured wax, a hot plate, old plastic bags and pre-used papers. The method is mesmerising, unpredictable and exciting. Use your creations to make personalised cards, stained glass window effects or abstract paintings.
Feel free to bring along any old sheets of paper, old plastic bags or bubble wrap.
Interactive Stories For Families with Children Ages 3-8 - £5 per family
It’s National Storytelling Week! Celebrate with Jessie McMeekin at Flo! Take some time to get away from phones and iPads and come together as families for some quality quiet time listening to traditional folk tales. Bring a blanket and snuggle up together for some cosy interactive stories!
Interactive stories will engage younger children with actions, sound effects and repetition, and then families will be provided with a storyboard sheet to help them make up their own story.
This session takes place between 11:30-12:15. Best suited for families for children ages 3 to 8.
Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Craft Cafe - FREE
No booking required, just show up with something to do! This is a free event for people who want to have a cuppa and a chat while doing something creative. Our regular craft cafe visitors will be able to share their skills if you’d like to learn something new such as knitting or crochet. 11am-1pm
We are also working on a project with Fabricate textile artists and painter Janet Moss to embroider motifs inspired by nature and the Cumbrian Arts & Crafts designer Annie Garnet - pick up a kit and join in!
Annie Garnett, Cumbrian Arts & Crafts Embroiderer - FREE
A Talk by Naomi Gariff and Niall Hodson from Lakeland Arts: Annie Garnett, Cumbrian Arts & Crafts Embroiderer
Accompanied by an introduction to a new embroidery project for West Cumbria and Florence's monthly Craft Cafe
11-1pm Saturday 25 January
Free but Donations Welcome
Please book here or call Florence on 01946 823946
Naomi and Niall will introduce the work of Annie Garnett who set up and ran The Spinnery in Bowness-on-Windermere in the 1880s, influenced by the work of artist, philosopher and social reformer John Ruskin. They will bring examples to view from Blackwell's textile collection.Surprisingly, the 19th century Arts & Crafts embroidery style influenced the designs worked on the outfits worn by Cumberland & Westmoreland wrestlers - and still does today!
We are hoping to make a new wrestling outfit to accompany an exhibition by artist Janet Moss on this ancient form of wrestling and we're looking for volunteers to help Fabricate textile artists to create it. Find out more and pick up some resources if you'd like to participate. We'll be meeting at monthly Craft Cafes to complete the project.
Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We also have an Accessible toilet.
Creative Writing ‘LIGHT’ with Annie Wilson - £30
As our days grow longer, from January to the lighter mid-year, you will create three or four pieces of writing at each monthly workshop. A wide variety of stimuli in a structured but informal atmosphere will be used to inspire your words, on the theme of LIGHT.
Whether you write regularly or you haven’t since leaving school, you are very welcome. All experience will be valued. Sessions may be fun and serious.
A great deal of research shows the benefit to our wellbeing of mindful, creative activity, such as writing in a group. You will certainly grow in confidence.
This January workshop is the first in a series of six starting from January through to June. While you will experience beneficial progress from attending all of them, each one stands alone if you prefer to book them individually.
For a £20 discount, book all six in advance here at Florence.
Dates: January 22nd, February 26th, April 2nd, April 23rd, May 28th, June 25th
Annie’s original degree was in Drama Education. She has delivered a wide variety of Community creative Education through the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) around Cumbria and beyond, with a special interest in mental health. Her most recent freelance work is facilitating Creative Writing in Community and Recovery settings. Her aim is to develop writing practice in individuals, through the enjoyable experience of Writing as a creative activity in a group.Annie lives in Cleator Moor.
Suitable for those aged 19+ years. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Florence Paintmakers: Demonstration of Paintmaking Practice -£6
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.
We will talk you through the method of processing rocks into earth pigments and the different techniques we use to create our watercolour paints and chalk pastels. There will be time for questions at the end. Please feel free to explore the site before/afterwards - we have a shop, galleries, a cosy cafe and wildlife garden.
Interactive Stories For Families with Children Ages 3-8 - £5 per family
Take some time to get away from phones and iPads and come together as families for some quality quiet time listening to traditional folk tales. Bring a blanket and snuggle up together for some cosy interactive stories!
Interactive stories will engage younger children with actions, sound effects and repetition, and then families will be provided with a storyboard sheet to help them make up their own story.
This session takes place between 11:30-12:15. Best suited for families for children ages 3 to 8.
Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Winter Stories For Families with Children Ages 3-8 - £5 per family
Take some time to get away from phones and iPads and come together as families for some quality quiet time listening to traditional folk tales on a winter theme. Bring a blanket and snuggle up together for some cosy interactive winter stories!
Interactive stories will engage younger children with actions, sound effects and repetition, and then families will be provided with a storyboard sheet to help them make up their own story.
This session takes place between 11:30-12:15. Best suited for families for children ages 3 to 8.
Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Life at Flo - Drawing the Human Figure - £12
Come along to meet members of Flo's friendly local artist network and practice drawing from our life model. We'll welcome you with hot drinks and biscuits to help the inspiration flow!
The session will not be tutored so you will need to work independently and bring your own materials (including boards/easels if required). Come along from 6:15 to get settled in.
We do not want the fee to be a barrier to taking part. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss before booking.
Florence Paintmakers - Demonstration of Paintmaking Practice
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.
We will talk you through the method of processing rocks into earth pigments and the different techniques we use to create our watercolour paints and chalk pastels. There will be time for questions at the end. Please feel free to explore the site before/afterwards - we have a shop, galleries, a cosy cafe and wildlife garden.
