CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
We believe art and creativity play an important part in building resilient individuals and thriving communities. At Northlight we offer a range of art classes to help you meet others, learn new skills and take part in creative activities.
Designed for individuals of all skill levels, our weekend courses and art classes provide a supportive environment for creative expression. Explore the world of life drawing or learn the intricate art of jewellery making. In addition, our weekly self-directed arts and crafts sessions offer the freedom to work on personal projects as well as socialise and feel inspired by others.
ART & CRAFT CLASSES
We are proud to be working with tutors and artists from across the UK to bring you a selection of unique and engaging classes. From lino printing, palette knife painting and jewellery, our popular life drawing evening classes are a regular feature you won’t want to miss. We are incredibly lucky to have such talent and expertise on our doorstep, with workshops designed and led by acclaimed Leeds artists based in our own artist studios at Northlight.
Tickets for all our workshops are available to buy in advance online.
WHAT’S ON
SPRING 2025
ARTS & CRAFTS
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LINO PRINTING - AN INTRODUCTION
WITH ANNIE CUNNIFFE
SATURDAY 26TH APRIL
10AM - 12.30PM
TICKETS £36 ( all materials provided)Learn the art of lino printing with multidisciplinary artist and experienced tutor Annie Cunniffe
This workshop will introduce you to safely using the various tools needed to produce stunning prints. No experience of drawing, painting or printing is needed and this workshop is suitable for all abilities to just experiment and play. Learn how to successfully turn your lino cuts into beautiful prints using a printing press or brayer.
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LIFE DRAWING 4 WEEK COURSE
WITH BORIS CRUSE
TUESDAY MAY 6TH, 13TH, 20TH & 27TH
6PM - 8PM
TICKETS £80 (all materials provided)
Join professional artist and Northlight artistic director Boris Cruse for a four-week adventure that will ignite your creativity and take your artistic skills to new heights.Over the 4 weeks we’ll look at important muscle groups and skeletal landmarks that are useful to produce quality drawing.
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WATERCOLOURS - AN INTRODUCTION
WITH LYDIA RAIN
SATURDAY 24TH MAY
10AM - 12PM
TICKETS £35 (all materials provided)Join professional artist Lydia Rain and embark on a journey discovering the wonderful and delicate world of watercolours. With Lydia's expertise on hand you will be guided through basic watercolour techniques including: colour mixing, washes, adding detail and textures.
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COPPER JEWELLERY - PATTERN & PATINA
WITH AMANDA BURTON ( WIREMOON)
SATURDAY 14TH JUNE
10AM - 1.30PM
TICKETS £56 ( all materials provided)We are thrilled to be able to offer you an exclusive chance to work along side Vogue Magazine featured jewellery artist Amanda Burton.
Amanda has been making copper jewellery for over 15 years and in this time has developed many of her own unique and personal techniques which she is excited to share with you all.
This workshop is suitable for all abilities.
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EXPRESSIVE MIXED MEDIA - SUMMER BOTANICALS
WITH LYDIA RAIN
SATURDAY 21ST JUNE
10AM - 12.30PM
TICKETS £39 (all materials provided)Capture the loose and sensuality of summer botanicals through a mixture of pastel drawing and watercolour painting, Gelli plate printing, block printing and collage.
Lydia will be teaching different techniques in all these artforms so you can enjoy a morning of experimenting and playing to create a mixed media painting. Whether you chose a close up, a landscape, a bouquet or a single petal, dive into blooming gorgeous flowers and make a colourful expression of summer.
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PASTEL MAKING FROM EARTH & PLANT PIGMENTS
WITH OLD MILL ARTS
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
10AM - 3.30PM
TICKETS £80 ( all materials provided)Who doesn't love a tray of colourful pastels?
In this workshop we will first learn how to process wild foraged pigments from Yorkshire and beyond before learning the ratio and types of binders needed to transform the pigments into soft pastels.
By the end of the workshop, students will have plenty of soft pastels to take home, as well as comprehensive notes to continue on with their pastel making journey.
Suitable for all abilities
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A PALETTE FROM PLANTS - The Art Of Ink Making
WITH OLD MILL ARTS
SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
10AM - 3.30PM
TICKETS £80 (All materials provided)Let us guide you through the various stages of working with plants to create your own beautiful colourful inks.
Working with a selection of plant sources, both foraged and grown, we will look at how the colours from plants were used historically with plenty of pre made colours to experience throughout the day.
Participants will go home with extensive notes on the subject as well as some freshly made ink from the day. No prior experience required, just a willingness to experiment!
ART HISTORY TALKS
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EL GRECO & MODERN ART
WITH SIMON MARGINSON
WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL
7PM - 9PM
TICKETS £10Northlight Arts Centre and Leeds Art History Group bring you the North's best voices of the historical art.
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THE PAINTING OF MYSTERY - 1995-2025
WITH CHRISTOPHER P WOOD
WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY
7PM - 9PM
TICKETS £10Northlight Arts Centre and Leeds Art History Group bring you the North's best voices of the historical art.
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GOYA & MODERN ART
WITH SIMON MARGINSON
WEDS 4TH JUNE
7PM - 9PM
TICKETS £10Northlight Arts Centre and Leeds Art History Group bring you the North's best voices of the historical art.
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OH NO JOHN - SONGS & DANCE FROM THE TIME OF THE STUARTS
WITH PETER BULL
WEDNESDAY 18TH JUNE
7PM - 9PM
TICKETS £10‘Oh No John’: Popular dances and songs from the time of the Stuarts (1603 to 1714) performed on hurdy-gurdy, hammered dulcimer and recorders, with songs accompanied by lute and cittern
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THANKS FOR THE SECURITY - EXPLORING A COLLECTION OF GREAT STOLEN ARTWORKS
WITH MATTHEW MERRICK
WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY
7PM - 9PM
TICKETS £10Northlight Arts Centre and Leeds Art History Group bring you the North's best voices of the historical art
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MOSAICS OF CONNECTION : COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ART & OBJECTS
WITH PAUL DIGBY
WEDNESDAY 16TH JULY
7PM - 9PM
TICKETS £10Northlight Arts Centre and Leeds Art History Group bring you the North's best voices of the historical art
PAY AS YOU FEEL SESSIONS
Creativity should be accessible to everyone so we offer three Pay as You Feel (PAYF) classes and groups every week Donations are taken on the day and no booking is required. Just turn up and start your creative journey with us.
Our weekly art and craft groups offer a relaxed and informal space where you can connect with like-minded people, learn new skills or hone existing ones. From painting or portraiture to crafts and creative writing, our sessions welcome all abilities and levels.
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THURSDAY ART GROUP
THURSDAYS | 10PM - 1PM
Delicious coffee to fuel those creative juices, good conversation and creative guidance in this predominantly self-led group.
All abilities welcome with plenty of materials available. Pay what you feel and come along to learn tips on drawing and painting in this friendly supportive space.
PAYF Donations taken on the day
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MAKER'S MORNING
FRIDAYS | 10PM - 1PM
Make a space in your week to enjoy doing the things you love and improve your wellbeing. Bring your projects and crafts to Northlight every Friday morning and work in our inspiring space alongside other creatives. We welcome makers of all different arts and crafts.
This friendly welcoming group is self directed and offers an inspiring space to make, share tips, socialise and relax.
Our espresso bar is open serving delicious Yorkshire roasted coffee, cake, and snacks.
PAYF donations taken on the day.
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WRITE NOW
EVERY 1ST and 3RD FRIDAY | 2PM - 4PM
Discover the joy of storytelling in our friendly creative writing group Write Now.
The group meets twice a month to fuel inspiration and nurture your writing skills. With no pressure and all skill levels welcome, you'll find a supportive community where your writing voice can truly shine.
PAYF donations taken on the day.