Everyone has a story to tell — but how do you turn your memories into a memoir that truly engages readers? In this five-week course, you’ll learn how to shape your life experiences into a compelling narrative.

We will cover

Where to start,  structuring your work, what to include and what to leave out, and fictional techniques. 

5-week course on Fridays: Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6

10am - 12pm

Cost: £95 for 5 sessions

To book please ring: 01460 54973 or email: workshops@ilminsterarts.org.uk

Exploring Inks

Delve into the world of ink in this one day workshop where you can discover the wonderful ways that ink can be used to create exciting paintings.  Margaret Micklewright is an experienced tutor who has been using ink for many years as her main painting media.  She will explain the techniques and methods that she has discovered in using this surprisingly colourful medium.

Please bring heavyweight watercolour paper (ideally 300gms), synthetic brushes and a water sprayer. Ink will be provided by the tutor

Time: 09.30-12.00

Cost £50

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Create a Batik textile art using wax-resist dying to create unique patterns and designs on fabric.

Once your batik has been completed and dried you shall take your cloth off the frame and iron off all of the wax. It shall then be stapled to a plain canvas that you can take home and place on a wall immediately

Cost: £45 (including materials) Additional £6 on the day for the plain canvas
Saturday 14 February, 9:45 - 2:45

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Combining watercolour paints with calligraphy gives beautiful results and the two together can be used to complement each other when making cards or even a piece of wall art that you can frame. In this workshop you will learn the basics of calligraphy using a specially designed workbook which is yours to take home and keep practising. You will then work on some small projects and produce your own beautiful works of art using your newly found skill. Your tutor, Nicki Darling-Finan, will give you individual support as you learn. A pop-up shop will be available at the class should you wish to purchase extra supplies such as cards, paper, pens or watercolour paints. You don't need to bring anything - just yourself and lots of enthusiasm but feel free to bring an apron if you wish.

All material supplied by ND Calligraphy are vegan and cruelty-free

£25 + £10 to the tutor on the day

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Exploring Acrylic Techniques – a 4-week painting course with Stephen Jenkinson

For Abstracts; Semi-Abstracts and Impressionist Landscapes

This course is led by enthusiastic artist and tutor Stephen Jenkinson. It is ideal for everyone - for those who are completely new to the techniques that Stephen introduces, and those who have attended previous standalone workshops and want to refresh and develop their painting skills further. Experience the whole painting process: from preparation, through applying layers of pure vibrant colour and producing striking images with beautiful effects, to finishing your final images for mounting and framing.

Small Group Course - Maximum participants: 8

10:30 Friday 20 February – 14:00 Friday 13 March 2026

4 sessions of 3.5 hours each, on Feb 20, 27 Feb, Mar 6, 13

£100 per course plus £10 for materials to the tutor on the first day.

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Fused Glass Panel Decoration

Let your imagination come alive 

Create a fused glass free standing curve or a panel and choose from a wooden base or black frame to showcase your work 

Spend a couple of hours with Michelle Joy from Shelden Glass, making your own creations. All glass included in the cost. Michelle has been making fused glass for 18 years.

Suitable for beginners or returners 

No cutting 

Cost: £30 (including materials, tools and firing)
Saturday 21 February, 10:00 - 12:00

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Art Centre during those hours.

Watercolour classes with tutor Nicky Clarke

Tuesdays: Feb 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31

Morning session: 10am - 12pm
Afternoon session: 1pm - 3pm

Cost: £20 per session

To book, contact Nicky directly on: 01460 281773 or email randnclarke@hotmail.co.uk

Painting is about ‘looking’ and drawing exercises our ‘looking’ skills and our awareness.

We will draw and paint on this course. Drawing exercises will designed to help us ‘see’ but painting is where we are aiming!

Beginners and experienced are all welcome to a relaxed class where everyone is encouraged and supported to work on individual choices and their own personal artistic development.

6 week course: Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1

Wednesdays 9:45am - noon

£132 for 6 sessions

To book, contact Juliet directly on: 01278 795364 or email: julietfarnese@gmail.com

Learn to paint gorgeous, floral paintings in acrylics in these weekly sessions. Let your imagination flow as you explore a loose and expressive style with experienced tutor Karen Huwen

Cost: £95 for 6 weeks
Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1

1 - 3pm

To book please ring: 01460 54973 or email: workshops@ilminsterarts.org.uk

Make your own Calligraphy Family Tree with tutor, Nicki Darling-Finan

Unique to ND Calligraphy, this workshop is for lovers of family history and those interested in calligraphy. In this three-hour class, you will learn to design your own family tree which will be a lovely addition to your home or even to give as a keepsake. A previous beginner’s class (in dip pen or brush pen) is recommended for this workshop and a dip pen for beginners is being held at IAC in January. When your design is drawn up, you will hand colour it using brush pens and adding gold accents. Your masterpiece is then ready to frame! Please make a list of the family members you wish to add to your tree, ideally between 12-15 names. Feel free to bring an apron if you wish. All materials supplied by ND Calligraphy are vegan and cruelty-free.

Cost: £30 + £15 to the tutor on the day for materials; includes A4 300gsm art paper, three professional pens including one ‘gold leaf’ pen, and an A4 wooden frame.

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Our willow obelisk course is perfect for anyone looking to add a unique and natural look to their outdoor space.

You will learn how to craft your own willow obelisk using locally sourced willow.

Cost: £40 (all materials included)

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Spring is a wonderful time of the year for calligraphy! Joining this Spring Brush Pen class will give you the opportunity to use a variety of colours to design beautiful cards that you can send and some gift tags to add a personal touch to your Easter gifting. If you've always wanted to learn calligraphy but felt daunted and a little overwhelmed, not knowing how to begin, then this is the class for you! In this two-hour workshop, you will learn the techniques necessary to produce beautiful lettering. A specially designed workbook will be provided and is yours to take home and keep practising. You will also take away your own professional brush pen trio so that you can continue your new hobby at home. Your tutor, Nicki Darling Finan will give you individual support as you learn this wonderful skill. A pop-up shop will be available at the class should you wish to purchase extra supplies such as cards, paper or more brush pens. You don't need to bring anything - just yourself and lots of enthusiasm but feel free to bring an apron if you wish. All materials supplied by ND Calligraphy are vegan and cruelty-free. 

Cost: £25 + £10 to the tutor on the day for your own art kit; includes your own professional pen trio, cards, tags and a calligraphy workbook. 2 hours.

Saturday 14 March - 10.00am - 12.00pm

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30 and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Arts Centre during those hours.

Fused Glass Panel Decoration

Let your imagination come alive 

Create a fused glass free standing curve or a panel and choose from a wooden base or black frame to showcase your work 

Spend a couple of hours with Michelle Joy from Shelden Glass, making your own creations. All glass included in the cost. Michelle has been making fused glass for 18 years.

Suitable for beginners or returners 

No cutting 

Cost: £30 (including materials, tools and firing)
Saturday 21 March, 10:00 - 12:00

To book, please ring: 01460 54973, between 9.30am and 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, or pop into the Art Centre during those hours.