The Art School at Dean Clough
The ACDC Arts School provides a high-quality working environment and practical support for individuals to further their creative practice and develop new skills.
The continuously developing ACDC programme of courses in Fletcher’s Mill at Dean Clough offers exciting cross disciplinary teaching and open studio programmes designed to enrich your own personal practice and to provide creative guidance and support from experienced art practitioners.
The Art School is a year-round facility to enable skill development and learning within the arts. There is always a warm and welcoming environment where all those who join can pursue their creativity whilst being guided by the experienced and supportive ACDC Dean Clough artist tutors.
| Cloudfactory Workshops |
| Four courses with tutor Lisa Gort: Stained Glass, Drawing and Painting, Wreath-Making and The Yellow Teapot Art Club. See more… |
| Wet Felted Paintings |
| A one-day course with experienced fibre artist Josephine Gornall. See more… |
| Shine Your Light |
| Therapeutic, Abstract Art workshops with various dates available on Saturdays and Sundays. With Kirsty McDonald. See more… |
| A Grand Art Day Out |
| Artist talks, gallery tours and studio visits with professional artists. See More… |
| Wednesday Art Workshops |
| The Wednesday Art Workshops are run by Fiona Edmondson. She is a highly experienced practicing artist and tutor. See more… |
| Inter-Arts Workshops |
| A workshop run by Fiona Pattisson of Inter-Arts to help with creative practice and to support mental health. See more… |
| Monday Life Drawing |
| A welcoming group who meet each Monday. This is not a taught course but a self-help group who enjoy life drawing. Come and join them. See more… |
| Art Explorers |
| Creative activities for primary schools with artists Chris Mould and Jeffrey Andrews. See more… |
Cloudfactory Stained Glass Workshop
Saturday 13th December, 14:00 – 16:00
Upstairs, Fletchers Mill (The Art School at Dean Clough)
Learn the art of stained glass with tutor Lisa! In this workshop, you’ll discover the basics and create your own colourful glass decoration to take home. All materials are provided, along with mulled wine and mince pies.
Lisa Gort is a full-time artist with over 25 years’ experience teaching art and design in colleges, universities and community groups.
£55pp, includes materials and refreshments – book here.
Cloudfactory Drawing and Painting
8 weeks, starting Tuesday 8th October, 14:00 – 16:00
Upstairs, Fletchers Mill (The Art School at Dean Clough)
On this course you will explore drawing, mark making and painting with a range of different materials. You will be encouraged to experiment, to try new ideas, take risks and develop or reinvent your own style. We will look at other artists for inspiration and explore a range of themes such as the natural world, elements, colour, dreams.
All materials will be provided, all you need is a willingness to give it a go!
This class is relaxed, friendly and supportive with a well earned tea break at half time!
£130pp, includes materials and refreshments – book here.
Cloudfactory Wreath Making Workshop
Saturday 6th December, 14:00 – 16:00
Upstairs, Fletchers Mill (The Art School at Dean Clough)
Join us for a delightful 2-hour wreath-making workshop where creativity meets festive cheer. Using natural materials, you’ll craft a beautiful Christmas wreath that’s easy, fun, and perfect for all ages. All materials are included—just bring your festive spirit and leave with a stunning decoration to brighten your home or gift to a loved one. Festive refreshments included.
£45pp, includes materials and refreshments – book here.
Cloudfactory Yellow Teapot Art Club
8 weeks, starting Tuesday 8th October, 18:00 – 20:00
Upstairs, Fletchers Mill (The Art School at Dean Clough)
This is an 8 week arts and crafts course with a focus on wellbeing. Would you like time out for yourself to create art, meet new friends, relax, drink tea and listen to music in a supportive, friendly atmosphere? The Yellow Teapot Art Club is an informal art course, open to adults of all abilities who would like to have fun, explore working with a range of materials and techniques. A new activity to try each week. Lisa will introduce you to a range of exciting projects such as collage, drawing and painting, mark making, book binding, printing, mixed media, mosaic, needle felting, textile art, paper making and more.
£129pp, includes materials and refreshments – book here.
Wet Felted paintings
Three days available, see below.
ACDC Art School, Fletcher’s Mill
A fun day workshop ideal for beginners. Experiment and explore wet felt-making with a variety of wool and plant fibres. Learn how to use carders and other techniques to make a colourful, textural felted painting. There are lots of samples of felt making to see in Josephine’s studio. We start with a practical demonstration of felt-making, followed by an exploration of all the different fibres available for you to use.
You can then choose to make a seascape, landscape, floral composition or go abstract. Select from a wide choice of gorgeous coloured wools & plant fibres. Explore blending and mixing colours and types of fibres together. Learn about their differing properties and the lovely effects that can be achieved. Try embedding plant fibres and yarns into the surface to create texture and form in your felted painting.
Photos show students’ felted paintings
Dates
Sunday 28th September
Saturday 4th October
Saturday 1st November
Private bespoke workshops are available in Josephine’s studio for families and friends including one-to-ones. Please get in touch to discuss the options.
For full details/reviews and to book go to www.phinefibre.co.uk/workshops.html
Contact Josephine:
fibreart@hotmail.co.uk or call 07748 480415
Wednesday Art Workshops
Wednesdays, 10am – 4 PM
ACDC Art School, Fletcher’s Mill
Turn up and pay on the day
The Wednesday Art Workshops are run by Fiona Edmondson. Fiona is a highly experienced artists and tutor and is offering a wide range of full-day courses and independent study days giving you the opportunity to both work semi-independently in ACDC’s studio space, supported by Fiona, or to participate in extended focussed workshops with fully supported teaching and learning objectives.
A full day of open supported activity in the Art School might typically include practical demonstrations by the tutor, guidance, discussion of ideas and facilitation throughout the session. You can bring your own project along to the Art School and discuss ideas and developments with your tutor, then continue to work independently with the tutor on hand to support and provide guidance.
The extended workshops occur once a month and are a full day specialist taught workshop and introduction to a theme or topic, practical demonstrations, focussed direction, one to one discussion and high-level teaching from the experienced tutor throughout the day. Specialist workshops are more structured than the open supported activity days, with carefully planned activities, often devised and delivered with supporting materials and have a clear objective reached by the end of the day.
Fiona Edmondson
Fiona is an experienced artist and artist educator who has worked in education for over 35 years. Originally studying Fine Art painting, she has, for many years, been fascinated by the qualities and variety of printmaking processes. This includes etching, lino and collograph printing in her own work. Fiona also has a passion for ceramics both sculptural modelling and slab construction. She also works with a range of textile processes. At present Fiona works part-time delivering a range of short courses to adults.
LIFE DRAWING
The Life Drawing Group was established over 30 years ago by Doug Binder, who was then Artist In Residence at Dean Clough, as part of his practice of drawing and painting the human figure from life.
Currently life drawing takes place every Monday between 10.30am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 3.30pm in the Art School Studio which is on the first floor of Fletcher’s Mill, Dean Clough. It is not a taught course and materials are not provided, but the group is very welcoming, supportive and encouraging. At its simplest, all you need is a pencil and a sketch book.
The cost is £15 for a full day or £10 for a half day. To join the group there is no need to book in advance, just turn up and pay on the day. Everyone is welcome.
For further details contact Campbell Malone on 07544 285 027 or by email.
Inter-Arts Workshops
Every first Wednesday of the month, 7.00 – 9.00 pm
ACDC Art School, Fletcher’s Mill
Cost £5.00, pay on the day
Inter-Arts is a creative arts company that hosts a monthly class.
The evening starts with a meditation which is followed by an art workshop – something different each month. There is a creative sharing to conclude the evening. This workshop aims to help and encourage creative art practice and support the individual’s mental health.
The workshop is led by Fiona Pattison who can be contacted at interartscompany@gmail.com or on 07912 372284.
Art Explorers
Creative activities for schools at Dean Clough Mills, with artists Chris Mould and Jeffrey Andrews.
Located in The Crossley Gallery and the Art School in Fletcher’s Mill.
Subject and Curriculum Links: Literacy, Local History, Art and Design for Key Stage 2.
Art Explorers Aims
To introduce the role of an artist, visit a contemporary art gallery, explore the historical Dean Clough Mills and its collections.
To give children the opportunity to meet practising artists in their studios, discover their work and be inspired to create their own drawings and handmade books.
To find out about careers in the creative industries and have fun in a creative environment.
The Activities
Introduction
What is an artist, where do they work, what materials do they use and what inspires them? Artists, Chris Mould and Jeffrey Andrews present their artwork in the Crossley Gallery.
Activity One
Children take part in a drawing activity with illustrator, Chris Mould inspired by his award winning book ‘The Iron Man’ by Ted Hughes and ‘The War of the Worlds’ by H.G.Wells.
Activity Two
Children create a beautiful handmade book of their own to take home using recycled materials and mixed media with the artist, Jeffrey Andrews.
Activity Three
Children explore the scale model of Dean Clough made out of lego and the art galleries. Your groups rotate around these activities to complete three sessions during their visit.
“What a wonderful day! The kids were absolutely buzzing when we got back to school. It was just so brilliantly organised, led and resourced. We all met inspirational artists today and the children have real stories for their siblings and parents. I really think that understanding that everyone has different talents hit home. It is a mental health message that I’m thrilled you talked about so positively. Thank you for encouraging them to pursue the arts and let’s hope we have some superstars of the future.”
Claire Brice, Warley Road Primary Academy, Halifax
Other Information
The all day visit is available on Tuesdays and is designed for three classes with up to 75 children in Key Stage 2. All the materials and resources are provided. Please bring packed lunches and there is free parking.
The cost is £600 for the whole day and we are taking bookings from September 2024.
If you’d like to make a booking or have any questions relating to the content of this activity, please contact Jeffrey by telephone: 07800 961899 or email: jeffrey@jeffreyandrews.co.uk