Arts and craft courses

We have an exciting programme of arts and craft courses and workshops in the gallery during 2019. We also hold talks, and other events at various times of the year, including an eclectic musical programme. 

For more information and bookings, please call the Inspired by… gallery on 01439 772737 or go to our EventBrite page where online booking is available.

A 10% discount is offered on up to four workshops in a calendar year for our Inspired by... gallery Supporters (with the exception of the WEA Adult Learning Courses which are booked directly with WEA).

The Lost Words - special events

As part of The Lost Words exhibition (15 June - 29 July), a collaboration between award-winning author Robert Macfarlane and acclaimed artist Jackie Morris, we’re hosting a series of talks, workshops as well as other activities suitable for children.

Children’s art workshop ‘The Lost Words’ (Sunday 30 June, Saturday 20 July, both 10am–12:45pm and 1:45–4:30pm)

Create a silk and mixed media collage celebrating nature and the outdoors with artist Jane Carlisle Bellerby. The workshop begins with an introduction to ‘The Lost Words’ exhibition and a short session outdoors, observing and documenting what natural elements. Returning to the gallery, you'll relay their observations through painted and sun printed silk, watercolour paintings with gold leaf, and printed text. Book online

Cost: £7.50 including materials; (age 7 – 12). All necessary equipment and materials are provided. Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for a nature walk. Children to be dropped off and collected from the gallery (consent form required). Booking essential or call 01439 772738.

Watercolour Workshop Inspired by ‘The Lost Words’ (Saturday 6 July, 10:30am - 4pm with 1 hour lunch break)

Join artist Peter Reynolds to look at watercolour painting techniques, looking at objects to consider form and tones. Taking inspiration from ‘The Lost Words' and the natural world on your doorstep. Please bring: watercolour paper, brushes and two water colours paints Burnt Siena and Ultra Marine Blue. 
Cost: £45 (minimum age 18). Bring a packed lunch or refreshments are available at The Moors National Park Centre; advance booking essential. Book online.

Art Appreciation – WEA Adult Learning Courses

With guest lecturers from the renowned Workers’ Educational Association, we present a series of full-day art appreciation courses at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. The courses are friendly, accessible and enjoyable, and cover the following subjects:

• Railway Posters of the North York Moors and Coast (Saturday 6 July). Explore in detail the fascinating range of bold, eye-catching and visually informative pictorial publicity produced by the L.N.E.R., used to promote travel to seaside resorts such as Whitby and Scarborough, and also inland to the stunning North York Moors.
• 20th Century Art Movements (Saturday 13 July). The 20th century saw a proliferation of new art movements, many of which still have the power to shock and provoke today. Explore the development of art movements such as Cubism and Fauvism, Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism and Pop Art, and analyse key works by 20th century artists.
• David Hockney’s Yorkshire Landscapes (Saturday 14 September). Explore the way in which Hockey’s deep affinity with the Yorkshire landscape combined with his love of bold colours led to striking depictions of rural views.
• Art in the 19th Century: Realists and Romantics (Saturday 19 October). Study the fascinating development of artistic styles in Europe during the 19th century. Beginning with Neo-Classicism and ending with Realism and the origins of French Impressionism.

All courses cost: £25 (minimum age 18) and run from 10am-4pm with a one hour lunch break. Free to those in receipt of a means-tested benefit. Bring a packed lunch or refreshments are available at The Moors National Park Centre.  Advance booking essential direct with WEA or call 0300 3033464

Painting with Acrylics (14 July, 18 August, 22 September 10.30am–4.30pm)

We welcome back James McGairy one of the gallery's favourites to lead these small-group workshops focusing on acrylic paint, a forgiving medium for beginners and more experienced artist alike. James will demonstrate his methods and you’ll leave at the end of the day with your own painting. Minimum age 14 (14-16 must be accompanied by an adult, 16–18 will require a consent form).
Cost: £45 including all materials, lunch and refreshments. Advance booking essential. Book online

Awakening the Writer Within (summer: Sunday 28 July; autumn: Sunday 8 September; all 1pm-4.30pm)

Be inspired to write by the sights and sounds of the North York Moors. Janet Dean and Clara Challoner Walker lead a series of writing workshop using the landscape, flora, fauna and art to stimulate your poetry and prose. Beginners and more experienced writers welcome. Paper and pens provided. Book online - summer and autumn.

Cost: £25 including materials; (minimum age 18); booking essential. A 10% discount is offered on workshops as part of our Inspired by... gallery Supporters Scheme.

Inspired by... Art Young Artist Workshops

New for 2019, art workshops suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years (unless otherwise stated).

• 'The Lost Words' (Sunday 30 June and Saturday 20 July, both 10am–12:45pm and 1:45–4:30pm). See 'The Lost Words' above. Book online
• Sky High (Wednesday 7 August, 10:30am–12:30pm and 1:30–3:30pm; £7.50). Using feathers and clouds as inspiration, we'll experiment with mark-making techniques, colour mixing and cyanotype prints (weather permitting). You'll collate your favourite pieces, together with descriptive vocabulary to produce your own nature notebook. Book online
• Patchwork Pictures (Wednesday 21 August, 10:30am–12:30pm and 1:30–3:30, £7.50). Begin by experimenting with a variety of techniques including graffito, natural texture rubbing, drawing and wax resist and use the landscape to inspire. You'll create an abstract work of art, framed and ready to take home. Book online
• Inspiring Children through Nature (Saturday 2 November, 10:30am–12:30pm and 1:30–3:30pm, £7.50). Wendy Tate and Rob Moore begin their workshop with a walk round the grounds to collect plants, leaves, feathers and grasses. Returning with their treasures, you'll make a little book of natural wonders through a mono-printing process using non-toxic water-based inks. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12 years old. Book online

All necessary equipment and materials are provided. Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for a nature walk. Children to be dropped off and collected from the gallery (consent form required). Booking essential  or call 01439 772738.

Wire Sculpture Workshop (Saturday 21 September, 10:30am–4:30pm)

Using simple tools and techniques and with step by step guidance from Chris Moss, you’ll learn how to make a small scribble-wire bird for display indoors or out. No previous experience is required and all tools and materials are supplied. This workshop is for all aptitudes and participants should leave with at least two finished projects. Minimum age 14 (14-16 must be accompanied by an adult, 16–18 will require a consent form).

Cost: £48 including all materials and light refreshments. Bring a packed lunch or refreshments are available at The Moors National Park Centre. Advance booking essential. Book online.

Creations in Willow with Willow Expert Anthea Firth

Willow expert, Anthea Firth, is leading a number of special willow workshops this year at The Moors National Park Centre. The workshops are aimed at beginners as well as those with some experience of the craft. You'll learn the core techniques required for willow working as well as the specific skills needed to create your willow creation. Please wear comfortable casual clothes. Materials and tools provided. Learn how to make:

• Large goose (Saturday 27 July); £50 including materials. Book online FULLY BOOKED
• Hedgehog (Saturday 17 August); £45 including materials. Book online FULLY BOOKED
• Poultry (Sunday 15 September); £45 including materials. Book online FULLY BOOKED
• Stag's head (Saturday 12 October); £50 including materials. Book online
• Alternative Christmas Tree (Sunday 10 November); £45 including materials. Book online
• Standing deer (Saturday 23 November); £50 including materials. Book online
• Christmas door ring and small rustic decoration (Sunday 8 December); £45 including materials. Book online

All workshops 10am-3pm. Minimum age 18. Advance booking essential for all workshops.

Nature Print Workshop (Saturday 26 October, 11am–4pm)

Join experts in print making, Wendy Tate and Rob Moore, on a nature inspired day, walking in, and using landscape as a theme to produce a mixed media artist’s book that includes printmaking. This workshop is suitable for beginners and more experienced artists alike. Bespoke sketchbooks for the walk, drawing materials and printmaking materials for use back in the workshop are all provided. Additional materials may be brought along (drawing implements such as pencils, graphite, pen and ink, watercolours and oil pastels) but this is not essential. Minimum age 16.

Cost: £45 including materials. Bring a packed lunch or refreshments are available at The Moors National Park Centre.  Advance booking essential. Book online.