Festival favourite Lucy returns with a brand new show about the power of letting yourself go - in every sense. Whether that means embracing your wrinkles and love handles whilst living in a slanket, or having a couple of babychams and dancing like nobody’s watching (and if you’re a middle aged woman, they’re probably not). It’s also about letting go of the person you’ve always thought you are, and using your midlife crisis to pursue new goals and reinvent yourself. “Impeccably punchlined anecdotes … genuinely delightful” - The Telegraph “A treat from start to finish” - The Herald

A series of five talks with discussion time for anyone with an interest in understanding and challenging their views on art. These accessible talks with discussion time are intended for anyone interested in developing their understanding of art, whatever their existing level of knowledge. Some historical context for individual artists and schools of art will be given but the emphasis will be on appreciating individual works of art and how and why they were created. You will not be expected to like every painting, print, or piece of sculpture seen on screen but you will be able to challenge the ideas and arguments presented. The five talks will run on Wednesday mornings, on the following dates: Wednesday 22 April: Leading women wood engravers of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Why are they so much admired? Wednesday 6 May: The very different landscapes of the 19th Century English Ancients compared with the Russian Impressionists. How national culture and topography produced very different depictions of the landscape. Wednesday 27 May: The lure of Graeco-Roman legends for Renaissance painters. The drama and detail shown by leading artists of the time is examined within the broad context of the legends themselves. Wednesday 10 June: The purity and humanism of the work of Fra Angelico Dominican Monk and Painter (1395-1455). Wednesday 24 June: Tirzah Garwood (1908-1951) Sophisticated Naïve in war-time Britain compared with Berhe Morisot (1841-1895) the only French woman Impressionist. Very different styles but delightful outcomes.

Develop your piano-playing skills in this relaxed and informal monthly performers’ club. Join pianist Jude Richardson on Sunday afternoons and/or Thursday evenings in a casual piano group class dedicated to helping you gain confidence as a pianist and performer. You can bring finished pieces, music you've just started looking at, original compositions, or anything else you like to play on piano. Each person is given an opportunity to play their piece and hear from an audience of fellow pianists what they enjoyed about the performance. Jude offers brief feedback and ensures that each performer is given the space and time they need to achieve their best. If you end up deciding not to play, there's no pressure as you can sit back, enjoy the other performances, and learn from the conversations and feedback. Additional activities include sight reading duets, piano accompanying with solo singers and instrumentalists, and the opportunity to receive brief one-to-one feedback from Jude. All ages and skill levels welcome. Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Flutter over to the Butterfly Boudoir for an evening of costumes, parody, and lots of tease. Expect a variety of group and solo performances from Doe Demure's troupes, Chicas Locas Burlesque and Skytribe Fusion Bellydance. Both new and experienced performers will be taking to the stage. Attendees are forewarned; as is typical of burlesque shows, there will be mild nudity and racy routines, but tastefully naughty with glitter and glamour (...or tacky and smutty with a comedic tone!)

An annual celebration of Guru Purnima - a special day between students and their teachers. Students of all standards will play special pieces as a homage to their guru(s). The event is open to all, with a particular emphasis on students, their families and friends.

A fun and creative day ‘painting with wool’. During this one-day workshop you’ll explore the ancient art of Wet Felting and leave with a beautiful piece of felted art to be proud of! This course is an excellent introduction to the art of wet felting. Using a wide range of different wool, silk and plant fibres you will learn how to create a picture full of texture and detail. Tutor Karen will discuss the use of colour and layers to create depth and perspective in your picture and how additional textile skills such as hand and free machine embroidery can be used to embellish your artwork. Then using just soap and water you will felt all the fibres together to create your final picture. No sharp needles involved - just natural fibres, soap and water. Choose on the day whether to create an abstract seascape or a realistic one. Karen will have plenty of pictures to use for inspiration but you are welcome to bring your own too.

Focus each week on a specific subject including writing for special events, nature writing, writing for publication and much more. This 10-week course is aimed at anyone who has some previous experience of writing poetry - either through a previous adult education class, a writing group, an on-line course, or self-taught independent practise. It would also be of interest to writers with experience of other forms of creative writing who would like to develop their poetic practise. Maybe you’ve been writing privately and now wish to challenge yourself further, or have the opportunity to develop your writing with other emerging and new voices. There will be opportunities to work on your own writing and to share it.We will develop our work using two writing prompts each week, supported by examples of contemporary poetry PowerPoints to further develop writing confidence and lots of time to share work and receive peer feedback. Class members will also be encouraged to work and share other writing and to develop their own poetic voice in a safe and supportive learning environment.

A two-day workshop for artists and makers who want to gain tips and tricks to get the Max from their social media. Do you want to start selling your art online? To get better at it but need to know more tricks of the trade? Why do hashtags matter? What actually is an algorithm and why should I care? Is AI going to steal my soul? Probably. But for now, tutor Rosie will teach you how to make social media and brand marketing your friend. Tutor Rosie will show you how enhancing your online activity will actually make you want to create more and try new things rather than want to throw your phone at the wall. No matter what your craft or art discipline(s), if we reframe every single element of ‘posting online’ as artistic process, resistance, learning, political voice or just aesthetic beauty, then why not give it a go? It could get you some extra income, commissions, new opportunities, collaborations or just be a place to digitally archive your journey!

A weekly opportunity to meet with other writers (or people who want to start writing) to grow your practise and confidence. With focused writing prompts and time and space to work on your own projects with support from an experienced tutor, these new afternoon sessions will give you the opportunity to share work in progress and get feedback and support from other group members. You’ll be able to grab a drink (and maybe some cake!) from our café and grow your own writing practise in a relaxed, supportive and encouraging environment. Each week we’ll focus on a writing prompt and complete one piece of writing. There will also be opportunities to bring other works in progress to share and get feedback on from the tutor and fellow group members. Alongside a weekly writing prompt, there will also be opportunities to discuss common writing problems and explore strategies to combat these. Each session will also include sharing of work in a safe and supportive environment. Suitable for everyone - from absolute beginners to more experienced writers who'd like to discover new voices and share their work with a supportive group of peers.

Perfect for chilling in the evenings. Learn how to knit and start your very own knitted blanket project. Tutor Bonita will teach you how to knit the knit and purl stitches and use them to create different effects. In this relaxed workshop you will also learn how to cast on, cast off and join your knitted squares. At the end of the three weeks, you will leave with the skills and confidence to make your very own big cosy blanket. In this 3-week short course you will be taught the skills you need to start your own blanket and make it to any size that you wish. Yarn, knitting needles and worksheets will be provided and are yours to keep at the end of the workshop.

Learn as you sew in this relaxed but comprehensive one-day beginners sewing workshop. Do you have an unloved sewing machine at home and want to put it to use? Have you been inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee? Would love to try making your own clothes? Then this is the workshop for you! We'll go over the parts of the sewing machine, what equipment you need (and Don't need!) And how to set up the machine and your workspace ready to sew. We'll help you create your very first stitches and over the day you will complete several projects which will equip you with all the skills you need for your next sewing projects! The day includes all your materials and teaching in a small group with experienced, knowledgeable and friendly tutor, Freya. In the morning you will make a needle case and an envelope cushion cover. In the afternoon you will create a useful shopping bag to carry your sewing kit or store projects in. Freya will demonstrate and explain techniques and you will get plenty of individual help through the session.

Discover the art of drypoint in this one-day hands-on workshop. Learn to create rich lines, texture, and shading on plates, experiment with mark-making, and produce your own expressive prints. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to explore this printmaking technique. By the end of the day, you’ll be able to: - Prepare and etch a plate using drypoint techniques. - Apply different marks, textures, and tonal effects to create expressive prints. - Ink and print their plate successfully on paper. - Reflect on their printed outcomes, identifying techniques to develop further. - Demonstrate an understanding of the creative possibilities of drypoint printmaking.

Explore the art of intuitive lino printing in this one-day beginner's workshop. Using continuous line and mark-making, create a vibrant abstract print with the reduction method. This workshop is all about process and creativity - listen to your instincts carve your lino with repetitive, therapeutic movements, and let your mood guide your choice of colour and application. Perfect for anyone looking to experiment, play, and connect with the joy of print making. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of intuitive lino printing in this one-day workshop. Using the reduction method, you will explore continuous line, expressive Mark-making, and abstract design to create a unique, layered print. This workshop is all about process experimentation, and trusting your instincts-allowing creativity, rhythm, and mood to guide your decisions. You will start by exploring continuous line and intuitive marks, developing a personal approach to design. Guided demonstrations will show how to carve safely and effectively, while repetitive process-driven movements help build confidence and a meditative connection to your work. You will also experiment with colour, layering, and expressive ink application to bring your print to life.

Create your own wonderfully embellished tote bag in this half day beginner's punch needle embroidery class. You will use a slim needle and DK yarn to ‘punch’ stitches onto a tote bag to create a uniquely decorated bag that you can use straight away! No experience or sewing skills are required! Tutor Caroline will take you through each step of the process, from threading the needle, punching your stitches and finishing a piece you'll be proud to use. Not only will you learn a new skill, you’ll also enjoy the wellbeing elements of this incredibly therapeutic and rhythmic craft. There will be plenty of patterns and templates to choose from or if you're feeling creative, why not come with your own designs?

Explore the versatility of the humble punch needle tool to create a piece of 6” wall art full of texture and interest. This is a great opportunity to let your creativity flow and make a piece that develops as you punch. If you prefer more guidance however, tutor Caroline will be on hand to help with your design. All materials and tools will be provided for you but if you have any specific yarn (any weight), a favourite punch needle (suitable for chunky yarn) or any embellishments you'd like to use then please bring them along! At the start of the day you'll stretch your fabric in a practice piece before the larger hoop. Then you’ll be shown how to create different textures, such as tufting, long strands, adding embellishments and varying stitch length, and have a practise in your practice hoop. You will then move onto the large hoop to work on your final design, which will finally be mounted in a wooden hoop. This will be a relaxed, creative day where not only will you produce a piece of wonderfully textured art, you will enjoy the therapeutic benefits that punch needle brings. Please note: there may at times be small yarn fibres in the air so please do bring a face covering if you feel this May affect you.

Adventures in Art is our weekly multi-disciplinary art workshop for adults. The sessions are usually in Studio 4 on the first floor, accessible via lift, stairs or external ramp. We have a variety of tutors who will deliver 3 or 4 weeks in a row, and then a different tutor will take over with a new creative discipline/project, which could include printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture, Clay, collage, journaling, crafts like macrame and more. Although there is no need to book in advance we do advise booking ahead of each session if you can, just to ensure a place is available for you, as places are limited and sessions do fill up!

Learn the Japanese handicraft of Kinusaiga, a form of textile art, in this new half day workshop. Kinusaiga is a form of textile art collage made by pressing fabric into a board, creating a unique piece of wall art that resembles stained glass. Tutor Bonita will guide you to create your own design, or you can follow one of Bonita’s designs if you prefer. You’ll then be shown how to transfer your design to the board and cut your fabrics, before learning how to use a Kinusaiga tool to remove paper from the board and add the fabrics. The final stage is to finish off and apply ribbon edging. By the end of the workshop you'll have a unique piece of wall art to keep or gift and have the knowledge and skills to continue this beautiful craft at home.

A comprehensive introductory one-day workshop for total beginners to the life drawing genre. Participants will be shown fool proof, tried and tested methods of rendering the life model using a variety of drawing media. By the end of the day you will have the knowledge, confidence and ability to continue your life drawing journey. Following a brief group discussion on the subject of why life drawing is considered so difficult, you will begin drawing with a variety of short poses. Next you’ll look at techniques such as gestural drawing, pivots the picture plane, negative spaces, shape, shadow mapping, linkage and subtractive drawing...amongst others. By the end of the day you’ll know what all of these are! You’ll discover that it’s not as difficult as you had thought to render the human form in a convincing manner. After lunch you’ll work towards a more finished piece of work from a longer, more sustained pose.

Feel a sense of personal discovery as you challenge your practise in this one-day masterclass for those with some experience of life drawing. You will explore a wide range of styles and techniques to draw and paint the human figure and be encouraged to create something new and unique. You will begin by experimenting with a variety of drawing techniques, using different media, and looking for ways to take your studies on to the next level. You will be asked to consider what you hope to achieve in your artwork, and to talk about your artistic influences. Leading up to lunch you’ll push the boundaries of your drawing methods. After a short break for lunch, we will look at and discuss a large collection of contemporary and traditional figurative art works, brought in by the tutor, and consider why they are (or aren't) successful pieces of work. The tutor will also demonstrate palettes for flesh tones, and discuss composition and the importance of having a goal in mind as you paint. The group will then work on a two-and-a-half-hour pose/painting to end the workshop, followed by a short group appraisal. The emphasis here is to go beyond ‘mere' accuracy and to move on to producing art and self-expression and the development of a personal style.

Weekly pay-as-you-go Life Drawing classes with artist and expert tutor Scott Bridgwood. Ideal for complete beginners or more experienced artists seeking a flexible opportunity to do some life drawing with experienced models and a professional tutor. No need to commit to a long course, simply book the dates you can make it and pay for individual sessions, so it's more flexible if you're juggling other commitments, and more affordable offering payment week by week. You will be able and encouraged to pursue your own style of working in this class, with guidance from the tutor as/when required. Scott will listen to each individual's needs and goals and support everyone individually, with areas such as draughtsmanship, composition or concept. A range of drawing materials, paints and papers are provided and we aim to rotate models so you have a variety of body types to inspire your drawing each week.

A two-day introduction to the art of botanical painting at the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden in Oadby. This course is suitable for anyone who’d like to combine their love of botanics with art - from complete beginners to those with some experience who'd like to try new techniques or just spend two days drawing and painting with like-minded people! On day one tutor Georgia will focus on pencil drawing observation, form, structure, light and shade. On day two the focus will be on colour studies, watercolour wash techniques to achieve different forms and textures thinking more about composition and preparing for a more finished final piece. Individual tuition and advice will be available throughout the two days. If you have more experience Georgia can guide you through your own process and offer advice as/when you need it to help develop your existing practise.

Robert White is going on tour with a brand new show!  Whether you're a fan from his series of Britain's Got Talent, or you're one of his millions of online viewers but only just realising that Robert is ‘THAT' Gay Autistic Keyboard Tanktop Comedy Guy, you'll want to see his mix of songs, stories, stand up, gags, props, improvisation, interaction and all sorts of other engaging naughty nonsense besides!

Two hearts. One fate. A timeless love reborn. The Duke’s Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a bold reimagining of the iconic tragedy directed by Joseph Pitcher. Pitcher’s acclaimed credits include My Fair Lady at The Mill at Sonning, Bard from the Barn at the Barn Theatre Cirencester, and The Winter’s Tale at Theatre on the Bay in Cape Town. This vibrant production also features original music by award-winning composer Rob Millett, whose previous commissions include Ballet Rambert, the National Theatre, and Shakespeare’s Globe. Blending dynamic staging, evocative sound, and the enduring power of Shakespeare’s verse, this retelling Illuminates the passion, peril, and youthful intensity at the play's core inviting audiences to rediscover the world's most famous star-crossed lovers.

This exhibition is in partnership with Wellcome Collection. Wellcome Collection and Attenborough Arts Centre are pleased to present ‘Jason and the Adventure of 254’, a major solo exhibition by Jason Wilsher-Mills. Showcasing his largest and most personal commission to date, this free exhibition is a joyful and subversive exploration of the body, drawing on the artist’s experience of becoming disabled as a child. Reimagining the gallery space as a hospital ward, Wilsher-Mills’ immersive installation of sculptures, illustrations and interactive dioramas challenges the cultural and societal perceptions surrounding disability, medicine and the human body. Through a kaleidoscope of colours and a touch of magic realism, the exhibition is also a celebration of family, his working-class background and the opportunities he received through hospital education, inviting audiences to explore childhood memories and creativity through the artist’s trademark humour. ‘Jason and the Adventure of 254’ is curated by Shamita Sharmacharja, Wellcome Collection Curator, and commissioned by Wellcome Collection.

A summer-inspired one-day introduction to mosaics. This one-day workshop introduces beginners to the fundamentals of mosaic-making, with a strong emphasis on developing cutting confidence and control, culminating in a unique weatherproof outdoor mosaic plant pot to take home at the end of the day. You will learn simple cuts to more intentional shaping while exploring Bright, seasonal themes such as sunshine, gardens and flowers through skill-building exercises. By the end of the day, you should be able to: - Use mosaic tools safely and confidently, with particular emphasis on tile nippers - Demonstrate increasing control over straight, curved, and small precision cuts - Understand how tile shape and direction affect visual movement - Design a simple mosaic composition inspired by summer themes - Adapt cutting and placement techniques for curved surfaces such as plant pots - Select and use appropriate exterior-grade materials for outdoor mosaics - Apply adhesive, grout, and sealer correctly for durability and weather resistance - Complete a finished outdoor mosaic plant pot suitable for garden or patio use - Develop confidence to continue mosaic work independently beyond the workshop.

Immerse yourself in an enchanting evening of Indian classical music that traces the enduring beauty of circles and cycles-echoing through rāg, rhythm, and resonance. This special performance explores the continuous flow of musical patterns, where beginnings dissolve into endings and return again, much like the cycles of nature and life itself. Renowned tabla virtuoso Ustad Sukhvinder Singh Pinky brings intricate rhythmic compositions to life, weaving dynamic patterns that pulse with energy and precision. Alongside him, Kaviraj Singh offers a soulful blend of santoor and voice, unfolding melodic landscapes that rise, return, and transform. Together, the artists create a dialogue between melody and rhythm, tradition and improvisation-guiding listeners through an immersive journey of sound. Experience the meditative power of repetition, variation, and cyclical form in an intimate setting where every note connects, returns, and renews. This is An Indian Summer event, produced by Inspirate. Age Recommendation: This event is more suited to adult audiences, children must be supervised by parent/carers

Saturday Gallery Art Club is your opportunity to get creative, explore art hands-on, and take inspiration from our latest exhibitions to create your own work. Open to everyone, each session is supported by our friendly Learning Team as they hold the space for you to work independently or with your friends and family. With all materials provided, you get the opportunity to create in whatever medium you find most interesting or exciting. This includes paints, clay, drawing materials, printmaking, collage, and more. Either take up something you already enjoy or try something completely new! The Art Club will be focussed on 'Jason and the Adventure of 254'. Reimagining the gallery space as a hospital ward, Wilsher-Mills’ immersive installation of sculptures, illustrations and interactive dioramas challenges the cultural and societal perceptions surrounding disability, medicine and the human body. Through a kaleidoscope of colours and a touch of magic realism, the exhibition is also a celebration of family, his working-class background and the opportunities he received through hospital education, inviting audiences to explore childhood memories and creativity through the artist’s trademark humour. Workshops are free for all but we offer Pay What You Can tickets to help support the continuation of this work for our communities. There is no pressure to attend every week or all of the sessions, just join in whenever you want to. Saturday Gallery Art Club is located in our Salmon Gallery. An accessible space curated by our Learning Team, the gallery is inspired by our exhibitions and features free art materials, interactive sensory objects, and a library of available books for a range of ages. The space also includes aircon, a heating system, and a variety of seating options and height-adjustable tables. Note: Adults must stay with their children at all times.