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.
| 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… |
| 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… |
| Art for Wellbeing Workshops |
| Four seasonal art for wellbeing workshops with Jessica Aldred. See more… |
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 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.
| Date | Activity | Cost |
| 26 Mar | Figure sculpting in wire and mixed media | £50 |
| 2 Apr | Open supported activity | £25 |
| 9 Apr | Open supported activity | £25 |
| 16 Apr | Open supported activity | £25 |
| 23 Apr | Open supported activity | £25 |
| 30 Apr | Reduction lino printing | £50 |
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.
Four seasonal Art for Wellbeing workshops underpin the House of Heyday programme this year. For more detail, follow the booking link, below.
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 June | Summer Gathering |
| 20th Sept | Design for Embroidery |
| 18th Oct | Season of the Witch |
| 15th Nov | Fine Whitework- Victoriana Shoe |
| 13th December | Christmas Crafternoon |
| * Bold type indicates seasonal Art for Wellbeing workshops |
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