After its summer break, courses and day workshops kick off again in September for another exciting year of creativity at the Back Door space at Northlight Art Studios, Hebden Bridge.
The thriving and accessible project supports and promotes involvement in the visual arts and crafts for those just starting out to experienced professionals.
There has been a diminishing opportunity to access practical art and crafts courses in the area in recent years.
The closure of the Adult Education Centre in Hebden Bridge and now the departure of most art and design courses at Todmorden Community College have left Northlight Art Studios as the first choice for those wanting to develop their creative side, says education co-ordinator Don Myers.
“With small groups and plenty of attention, courses are open to people of all ages and abilities. Classes are relaxed and unthreatening with a ‘no-nonsense’ approach emphasising learning for the love of learning. The Back Door space offers wheelchair access and several wheelchair users currently access courses,” he said.
There is now a wide range of regular weekly courses on offer covering painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, oil painting, life drawing, textiles and ceramics.
Don said teaming up with Calderdale Adult Learning has enabled Back Door to offer an extensive programme of weekend day workshops that tackle more specialist pursuits such as life painting, lino printing, textile printing, machine embroidery, digital photography, colour theory and bookbinding. The project has attracted well known artists from across the region to run workshops, including portrait painter Thomas Rimmington, Islamic design specialist Eric Broug, master lino printmaker Ruth Fettis and sculptor Sally Barker.
Don, also a practising painter and teacher, said: “The Back Door has now become an established part of the community adult education offer for this area with over 300 people accessing our courses last year. Our courses are great fun but also challenging and taught by really excellent, practising artists.”
To find out more or book, visit www.northlightstudio.co.uk, email info@northlightstudio.co.uk or ring 01422 843519.