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.
Therapeutic Art Workshops |
Dates available in 2025, first Saturday every month from 4th January. Gently reflect and restore the body’s natural balance to encourage self-healing. See more. |
Wednesday Art Workshops |
The Wednesday Art Workshops are run by Claire Murray and Fiona Edmondson. Both are highly experienced practicing artists and tutors. See more… |
Saturday Learn Embroidery Workshops |
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… |
The Watercolour Workshops |
There are many ways to paint with watercolours. Explore some of them with watercolour artist Jane Austin. See more… |
Therapeutic Art Workshops
With Kirsty of Art 2 Art Society
Saturdays, 10.30am – 4.00 pm
ACDC Art School, Fletcher’s Mill
£70.00, see below for details
The aim of Therapeutic Art is to enhance mood, reduce stress and unlock the subconscious and creative mind whilst not putting pressure on yourself. Have a go and reap the benefits.
• Helps heal and process emotional pain
• Reduce stress and release outdated patterns
• Experience joy, peace and harmony
• Helps increase creativity
• Tune into your intuition and find clarity
• Self-expression through mark making, writing and collage.
The benefit of drinking cacao in our cacao ceremony
Our bodies need all of these wonderful minerals for our emotional and physical well-being and balance and she raises our emotional frequency containing anandamide, often referred to as the “bliss chemical” because of its potent activation of blissful feelings, euphoria, deep relaxation and the sense of a liberated mind.
We recommend six (6) sessions (workshops) once a month or once a fortnight…it is up to you to get the full benefits and experience to enhance your creativity and thought processes.
Bring any size journal of your choice. Let me know if you can’t and I will provide one for a donation of your choice. Bring your own blanket, cushion and yoga mat. Chairs are available for the meditation section instead. Let us know if you can’t bring these items.
For the Full Day workshop bring your own lunch, there are kitchen facilities
All art materials and media is provided otherwise. Cost is £70 per workshop/session.
Workshops are run most Saturdays 10.30am to 16.00pm.
Current Saturday dates are 4th January 2025, 1st February 2025, 1st March 2025, 5th April 2025 and 3rd May 2025
Based in the Art School in Fletcher’s Mill in Dean Clough, there is a stair lift for access upstairs to the Art School Workshop Space.
Address: Art 2 Art Society, Studio FG/7B, Ground Floor, Follow signs for GATE 5, Fletchers Mill Gate 6, DEAN CLOUGH, Old Ln, Halifax HX3 5WP.
You can message me to book at kirsty.art2artsociety@gmail.com or phone and leave a voicemail with your number and name on 07905 92 25 59.
Confirm your booking with a £30 deposit to secure your place (via bank transfer – details will be communicated to you). Full payment is required before the workshop date. Full refunds can be requested up to 4 days before the event.
Wednesday Art Workshops
Wednesdays, 10am – 4 PM
ACDC Art School, Fletcher’s Mill
Pay on the day – see table below for prices
THE Wednesday Art Workshops are run by Claire Murray and Fiona Edmondson. Both are highly experienced artists and tutors. Claire and Fiona are 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 Claire or 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 tutors, 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 tutors, then continue to work independently with the tutors on hand to support and provide guidance.
The extended workshops 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 tutors 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.
Claire Murray
Claire is based in our studios at Fletcher’s Mill. She is a practicing visual artist and experienced teacher of art. She has a BA and MA in Fine Art and is predominantly a progressive expressive semi- abstract painter exploring a sense of place and ideas of landscape. Claire’s work can be found in private collections both internationally and locally. Claire taught 16 – 19-year olds in College, was a course leader and teacher on BTEC and Foundation level art courses before embarking on a full-time self-employed career as an artist/teacher in 2019. She runs high quality workshops for individuals and groups of adults.
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
Date | Tutor | Activity | Cost |
21 Aug | Claire Murray | Open supported activity | £25 |
4 Sep | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
11 Sep | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
18 Sep | Claire Murray | *Expressive painting – Still Life | £50 |
25 Sep | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
2 Oct | Fiona Edmondson | open supported activity | £25 |
9 Oct | Claire Murray | Open supported activity | £25 |
16 Oct | Fiona Edmondson | *Collographic printing and Gelli-printing | £50 |
23 Oct | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
30 Oct | Claire Murray | Open supported activity | £25 |
6 Nov | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
13 Nov | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
20 Nov | Claire Murray | *Mixed Media – surface & line | £50 |
27 Nov | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
4 Dec | Fiona Edmondson | Open supported activity | £25 |
11 Dec | Claire Murray | Open supported activity | £25 |
18 Dec | Fiona Edmondson | *Lino-cut printing (xmas activity) | £50 |
2-Week Watercolour Workshop with Jane Austin
Saturday 21st Sept, 10 – 12 PM and
Saturday 28th Sept 10 – 12 PM
ACDC Art School, Fletcher’s Mill
£30.
There are many ways to paint with watercolour. Your chosen colours alongside technique and light source can create a painting that is very emotive, even when working from a resource photograph.
I work over an initial drawing with some details masked out before laying colour, allowing for granulated mixes, transparent mixes and the flow of paint to build organically.
Dean Clough is an amazing collection of mills with echoes of the past in it’s bones. Come along to find that atmosphere painting wet on wet with the best medium.
Personally I work on Bockingford NOT 250 lbs watercolour paper which does not require stretching with Cotman Windsor & Newton watercolour tubes, masking fluid and mixing on a porcelain plate. The source image will be supplied but if you need anything else supplied please ask when booking.
To reserve your place and make payment please contact Jane.
@jane_austin_art
#JaneAustinWatercolour
Learn Embroidery
Hand embroidery and design classes taught by Royal School of Needlework graduate Jessica Aldred.
Various dates available – see below. All levels of ability welcome.
Historically embroidery has been used to adorn churches and cathedrals, royal robes, military uniforms and luxury interiors. Seen as a lesser craft than many other types of art, Jessica is dedicated to showing it and sharing it as the art form it undoubtedly is. Rooted in tradition and technical skill, modern embroidery not only appears in fashion and interiors: there has been a huge resurgence of interest in the creation of textile art. This is not your Grandma’s embroidery, and no machine can ever replicate what can be achieved by hand.
Embroidery is also hugely therapeutic. It was used to help rehabilitate injured soldiers in both the first and second world wars. Today it is still used as a form of rehabilitation and has been proven to support mental health. It has a meditative quality which allows the stitcher to escape from their worries and struggles and focus their attention. The humble needle and thread can be truly transformative, both in the art it creates and the process it takes.
All classes held on Saturdays at The House of Heyday Studio, Fletchers Mill, Dean Clough, Halifax. Full joining instructions are sent at the time of booking. For any enquiries please email us here.
14th Sept | Goldwork and silk shading |
19th Oct | Playful stitch |
9th Nov | Design for embroidery |
14th Dec | Christmas Crafternoon |
Free embroidery days (bring your own project) 22nd June, 20th July, 17th August, 28th September and 23rd November.
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