Art workshops are a great way of making sure you have time designated to developing and keeping up your creativity alongside your degree. Bristol has a vibrant and diverse selection of arts workshops on offer; luckily I have compiled them into this list for your choosing. All of the listed workshops are affordable and inclusive ranging from the 30th September to all throughout the year, so do come along and see what’s on offer. 

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1. Helicon’s very own Life Drawing

 

A little bit of shameless self-promo, but it always is a lovely inclusive evening to come to. Life drawing will be running every Tuesday in the buzzing creative district of Stokes Croft, so bring your friends and meet some fellow artists. It’s only £3 for members and £4 for non-members so bring your sketchbook and get creative, absolutely no judgments and no experience needed!

 

Commencing 1st October, 18:00-19:30

The Arts House (Caper and Cure), 108A Stokes Croft, BS1 3RU

Booking not required.

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2. 7x7 Mondays and 8x8 Wednesdays by UoB Fine Art Society

 

7x7 Mondays is a series of 7 workshops spread over 7 weeks, each one teaching you a new art technique, from mono-printing to badge-making. 8x8 Wednesdays is the same idea, with one extra session. Prices are £45 for members and £50 for non-members, but all equipment is provided!

 

7x7 Mondays - 7th October, 18:00-20:00; 8x8 Wednesdays - 9th October 15:00-17:00 

Location TBC on the FB event. 

Booking via the FB event.

 

3. We Are Family: Protest Banners with Feminist Archive South

 

Whilst focusing on being family friendly and inclusive to all, this looks like a fun one. Inspired by the artwork of the ‘STILL I RISE’ exhibition, you can make your own feminist badges for free with all tools provided! Drop in and have a look if you’re in the area. 

 

8th December, 13:00-16:00

Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA

Booking not required.

 

4. I Am Making Art

 

Monthly activity sessions led by artists, these are drop-in sessions that are accessible to all and lead you through a variety of art-making techniques. The upcoming session is ‘comic stories’, a comic book making session exploring ‘traditional drawing and image making techniques, with a focus on story development’ led by illustrator Jazz Thompson. Best of all, they are free but with a  £3 suggested donation!

 

12th October, 14:00-17:00

Spike Island Café, 133 Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6UX

Booking via Spike Island’s website.

 

5. Make Your Own Mindful Nature Journal: Art Workshop for Students

 

The RWA put on a wide variety of art workshops, but they do usually verge on the more expensive side of about £55 for a day session. However, this workshop, focused on students, is only £5. Make your own nature journals and up-cycle your old books; they will teach you leaf and flower printings and observational watercolouring. 

 

11th October, 17:30-19:30

RWA, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1PX

Booking via RWA website (limited availability).

 

6. Spotlights Writing Workshop

 

Spotlights is UoB’s a new theatre writing society, they’ll be putting on a series of 12 workshops to encourage playwriting in a creative and encouraging space. This is your chance to meet like-minded writers and alot yourself time to focus on writing. All you need to bring is something to write on, don’t worry about having any experience. 

 

Run regularly throughout first term.

AR2 Bar, Richmond Building

Booking via Bristol SU website.

 

7. Writing workshops at Bristol Folk House

 

This one is regrettably more expensive than the rest, but they do offer either all-day courses, or longer 12 week courses. They are, however, professional and in depth, offering workshops such as ‘Flash Fiction and Short Stories Writing Workshop’ on the 9th November, which is £28.75. If you’re looking for more challenging and extensive workshops, then this might be the one for you. Have a look on their website for the full list of regular upcoming workshops. 

 

Run regularly throughout the year. 

Bristol Folk House, 40a Park St, BS1 5JG

Booking via Bristol Folk House website.

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Image courtesy of Spike Island and the RWA.