What’s On
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Exhibitions
Free
Tim Noble & Sue Webster: Love and Hate at Firstsite
Thursday 09 November 2023 - Sunday 27 September 2026
In this presentation, seven light sculptures by Noble & Webster illuminate areas of the Firstsite building with pops of glimmering colour.
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Free
University Centre Colchester (UCC): To Be Continued
Saturday 18 April - Sunday 05 July 2026
Celebrate the next generation of Colchester’s artists in this dynamic, two-part exhibition from students at University Centre Colchester.
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Free
Godfried Donkor: It’s a Numbers Game
Saturday 23 May - Sunday 30 August 2026
Step into a boxing ring. Stand face-to-face with the leaders and resisters who shaped history. Walk through waves of figures rising from the pages of the Financial Times.
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Godfried Donkor: It’s a Numbers Game Exhibition Events
Friday 12 June - Saturday 11 July 2026
Celebrate the vibrant world of Godfried Donkor’s: It’s a Numbers Game with a dynamic programme of creative workshops, family activities, and exhibition events inspired by themes of identity, culture, sport, fashion, and storytelling.
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Free
Arpita Shah: Nalini
Saturday 13 June - Sunday 04 October 2026
Developed across India, East Africa and the UK, discover a photographic series that explores the connected histories of Arpita Shah, her mother, and grandmother.
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Fairyland
Wednesday 24 June 2026
11:00 am
More times available
A father uproots his young daughter in search of a new life in 1970s San Francisco. But as she grows into a young woman, their bond is tested in surprising ways.
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Obsession
Wednesday 24 June 2026
2:00 pm
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for.
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The Christophers (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 25 June 2026
11:30 am
A mainstay of the London art scene since his starry breakout in the creative explosion of the 1960’s, Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) has drifted into a cluttered, self-imposed seclusion.
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Our Land
Thursday 25 June 2026
2:00 pm
OUR LAND dares to tread where few have trespassed before, asking the timely question of who has the right to roam in the English countryside?
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Free
YAK | Young Art Kommunity
Thursday 25 June 2026
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
More times available
Young Art Kommunity (YAK) is Firstsite’s young-people peer led group which organises events and activities within the gallery and in the wider community.
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National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Thursday 25 June 2026
7:00 pm
More times available
Manville joins Turner in a striking new staging of Hampton’s celebrated adaptation in National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
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Eagles Of The Republic
Friday 26 June 2026
11:00 am
More times available
Egypt’s most adored actor, George El-Nabawi, falls into disgrace with the authorities overnight. On the verge of losing everything, George is forced to accept.
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Erupcja
Friday 26 June 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
While on vacation in Poland, Bethany breaks away from a romantic itinerary planned by her doting boyfriend, Rob, fearing that a marriage proposal is imminent.
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Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu
Friday 26 June 2026
5:00 pm
More times available
The Mandalorian and Grogu embark on their most thrilling mission yet in Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” an all-new Star Wars adventure.
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Köln 75
Friday 26 June 2026
8:00 pm
More times available
Vera Brandes who, in 1975 and at the age of 18, staged the famous Köln Concert by jazz musician Keith Jarrett.
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Free
Colchester Record Fair
Saturday 27 June 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
More times available
Browse the stalls and grab yourself a bargain – or perhaps something a little rarer at the Colchester Record Fair at Firstsite.
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Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu (Relaxed)
Saturday 27 June 2026
11:00 am
The Mandalorian and Grogu embark on their most thrilling mission yet in Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” an all-new Star Wars adventure.
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Boozy Brushes – Paint Your Pal
Saturday 27 June 2026
7:30 pm
More times available
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can your pal!
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Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (4K Re-Issue)
Sunday 28 June 2026
11:00 am
More times available
On an isolated island in Bretagne at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.
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Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu (Parent & Baby)
Thursday 02 July 2026
11:15 am
The Mandalorian and Grogu embark on their most thrilling mission yet in Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” an all-new Star Wars adventure.
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Eagles Of The Republic (Captioned)
Thursday 02 July 2026
5:10 pm
In Eagles Of The Republic Egypt’s most adored actor, George El-Nabawi, falls into disgrace with the authorities overnight. On the verge of losing everything, George is forced to accept.
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Masters Of The Universe
Friday 03 July 2026
11:00 am
More times available
After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto).
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Finding Emily
Friday 03 July 2026
5:20 pm
More times available
When a lovesick musician is given the wrong number for his dream girl, he teams up with a driven psychology student to find her.
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Backrooms
Friday 03 July 2026
8:00 pm
More times available
A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.
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Free
Folk & Bespoke Artisan Craft Market
Saturday 04 July 2026
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
More times available
Have a handmade shopping day. The people in your life deserves something special and for a totally unique gift, you cannot beat handmade.
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Charlie The Wonderdog
Saturday 04 July 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
When Danny’s four-legged best friend is mysteriously abducted by aliens, Charlie returns home with incredible superpowers and a mission to protect the people he loves.
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Tuner
Saturday 04 July 2026
8:05 pm
More times available
A gifted piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
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Cyanotype Day: Printing Memories
Sunday 05 July 2026
10:00 am
Explore the historic photographic process of Cyanotype in this creative workshop focused on migration, belonging, memory, and connection.
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Free
Art in the Community
Tuesday 07 July 2026
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
More times available
Art in the Community sessions are for people who use creativity to improve their well-being, and for recovery from mental and physical issues
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Rewilding Imagination Labs
Thursday 09 July 2026
7:00 pm
More times available
A monthly gathering for artists, creatives, and the curious to explore the uncharted territories of imagination.
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Power Ballad
Friday 10 July 2026
11:00 am
More times available
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session.
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Angel’s Egg (4K Restoration)
Friday 10 July 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
A girl carrying an egg. A boy in search of a bird. In a forgotten city, the two crossed paths.
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Free
Free Art Jam with Art Harbour
Friday 10 July 2026
4:30 pm
More times available
Based on different themes, Art Jam with Art Harbour is a free opportunity to explore, experiment and develop your own art ideas.
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Firstsite Fabulous Fridays
Friday 10 July 2026
7:00 pm
More times available
Immerse yourself in a world of unlimited creativity at our monthly Fabulous Fridays with unique workshops, art, tasty treats and great films!
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Origami Workshop
Friday 10 July 2026
7:00 pm
In our Origami Workshop, Lu Yu will guide you step by step through the creation of specific origami shapes in this ancient art form!
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Paint Like…
Friday 10 July 2026
7:00 pm
More times available
Learn how to recreate iconic artworks in a supportive and guided environment with our Paint Like… workshop.
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Boozy Brushes
Friday 10 July 2026
7:30 pm
Join Sirena Hart for Boozy Brushes at Firstsite – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!
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Enzo
Friday 10 July 2026
8:00 pm
More times available
A boy who defies his bourgeois family’s expectations by starting a masonry apprenticeship where he meets a charismatic Ukrainian colleague who shakes up his world.
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The Firstsite Art Fair
Saturday 11 July 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Firstsite Art Fair brings together a diverse range of artists, collectors, art lovers and all who are simply curious about art.
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The Art Of Upcycling: Reinvent Your Old Clothes
Saturday 11 July 2026
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Transform old clothing and accessories into expressive wearable art in this creative Artcycling workshop with textile artist Sue.
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Watercolour Workshop
Saturday 11 July 2026
10:30 am
More times available
Explore the materials, techniques and colour theory used to develop your watercolour paintings in this relaxed social session.
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Portfolio Surgery – Morning Sessions
Saturday 11 July 2026
11:00 am
More times available
Book a one-on-one session at our free Artist Portfolio Surgery, where an industry expert will provide professional guidance.
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Portfolio Surgery – Afternoon Sessions
Saturday 11 July 2026
12:30 pm
More times available
Book a one-on-one session at our free Artist Portfolio Surgery, where an industry expert will provide professional guidance.
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Gallery Tour
Saturday 11 July 2026
1:00 pm
Visit our major exhibition, Godfried Donkor: It’s a Number Game, and enrich your experience with a guided Gallery Tour led by a Firstsite Visitor Assistant.
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Life Drawing with Justine Moss – all levels
Saturday 11 July 2026
1:30 pm
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, gain confidence in drawing the figure, with these tutored life drawing sessions.
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Window To The Soul: Immersive Virtual Gallery Experience
Saturday 11 July 2026
2:00 pm
Join XRtist Hannah Aria for a unique immersive virtual gallery experience that builds a bridge between worlds.
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Savage House
Saturday 11 July 2026
8:00 pm
More times available
Set against the backdrop of 18th century England, a massive Pox outbreak, and Jacobite Uprising – this is a timely and darkly satirical story of Sir Chauncey Savage (Grant) and Lady Savage’s (Foy) blind pursuit of a better life….
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National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Captioned)
Sunday 12 July 2026
2:00 pm
Manville joins Turner in a striking new staging of Hampton’s celebrated adaptation in National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
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Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo; the Making of an Icon
Tuesday 14 July 2026
2:00 pm
Frida Kahlo is a phenomenon. She is arguably the world’s favourite female artist in Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo; the Making of an Icon.
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Ekow Eshun and Godfried Donkor: In Conversation
Thursday 16 July 2026
6:30 pm
Join writer, curator and broadcaster Ekow Eshun in conversation with visual artist Godfried Donkor as they explore the ideas, influences and inspiration behind ‘Godfried Donkor: It’s a Numbers Game’.
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Trust The Process: Observational Drawing
Thursday 16 July 2026
7:00 pm
More times available
Our four-part Trust the Process: Observational Drawing workshop invites you to explore the foundations of observational art.
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Cactus Pears
Friday 17 July 2026
11:00 am
More times available
Anand, a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India, tenderly bonds with local farmer.
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Pink Narcissus (4K Restoration)
Friday 17 July 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
An outrageous erotic poem focusing on the daydreams of a beautiful boy prostitute.
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The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford
Friday 17 July 2026
5:00 pm
More times available
Kenneth works as a tour guide dressing up as the town’s most notable historical figure, Sir Douglas Weatherford, who Kenneth proudly claims as his ancestor.
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Disclosure Day
Friday 17 July 2026
7:30 pm
More times available
If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?
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BSFF Midsummer Scream: Deep Water
Saturday 18 July 2026
10:15 am
A group of international passengers en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai are forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters.
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BSFF Midsummer Scream: Match
Saturday 18 July 2026
12:45 pm
After Paola is matched with a handsome online suitor, she arrives for a first date to discover a house full of dark and terrifying secrets.
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BSFF Midsummer Scream: We Put the World to Sleep
Saturday 18 July 2026
3:15 pm
Adrian and Duru get lost in the characters they play in an apocalyptic film and embark on a secret mission to end the world for real.
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BSFF Midsummer Scream: Appofeniacs
Saturday 18 July 2026
5:45 pm
The use of AI technology reaches its most violent and bloody conclusion after a series of deepfake videos are unleashed into the world.
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BSFF Midsummer Scream: Cult Film Secret Screening
Saturday 18 July 2026
8:15 pm
As is the Black Sunday tradition, the 2026 festival will close with a stone-cold cult classic with the BSFF Midsummer Scream: Cult Film Secret Screening!
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Krafty Kids
Sunday 19 July 2026
10:00 am
More times available
Krafty Kids is a monthly creative workshop designed for young people aged 7-12+ who are curious about art and enjoy making their own work.
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Create Your Own Surreal Oil Painting Inspired By Van Gogh
Sunday 19 July 2026
1:00 pm
Explore surrealist oil painting through a creative reinterpretation of Terrace of a Café at Night inspired by the expressive style of Vincent van Gogh.
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Toy Story 5
Wednesday 22 July 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” and this time around it’s Toy meets Tech.
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Familiar Touch
Friday 24 July 2026
11:00 am
More times available
An octogenarian woman transitions to life in assisted living as she contends with her conflicting relationship to herself and her caregivers amidst her shifting memory.
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Nino
Friday 24 July 2026
5:30 pm
More times available
Nino, a young man, explores the streets of Paris to reconnect with the world and himself, after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Strictly Ballroom (4K Restoration)
Friday 24 July 2026
8:00 pm
More times available
A maverick dancer risks his career by performing an unusual routine and sets out to succeed with a new partner.
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Lesbian Space Princess
Saturday 25 July 2026
5:00 pm
More times available
An introverted space princess is forced to leave her home planet on an inter-gay-lactic mission to save her ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens.
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Boozy Brushes – Paint Your Pet
Saturday 25 July 2026
7:30 pm
Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint your pet!
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WHAM! 10 Days In China
Thursday 30 July 2026
7:30 pm
In 1985, WHAM! crossed cultural divides as the first Western pop act in China. Previously unseen, beautifully restored archive footage reveals this landmark meeting of pop, politics and history.
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A Private Life
Friday 31 July 2026
11:00 am
More times available
When renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner learns of the death of one of her patients, she is convinced it was murder and takes it upon herself to investigate…
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Space Jam (30th Anniversary)
Friday 31 July 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
Michael Jordan makes his starring film debut opposite the celluloid skills of Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes. Jordan must help the Looney Tunes win a basketball game
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Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day
Friday 31 July 2026
5:30 pm
More times available
London 1910: a passionate astronomer does everything she can to avoid romantic love and marriage.
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The Furious
Friday 31 July 2026
8:10 pm
More times available
A father fights fiercely against ruthless kidnappers to save his abducted daughter.
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The Last Viking
Wednesday 05 August 2026
11:00 am
More times available
After serving fifteen years in prison, bank robber Anker (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is determined to recover the stolen money his brother Manfred (Mads Mikkelsen) buried.
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Andre Rieu: Viva Maastricht!
Saturday 08 August 2026
2:00 pm
More times available
This year, André Rieu celebrates a spectacular milestone – the 20th anniversary of his iconic summer concerts on the magnificent Vrijthof square.
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Create Your Own Monochrome Painting Inspired by Tamara de Lempicka
Sunday 09 August 2026
10:00 am
Explore monochrome oil painting and stylised portraiture in this workshop inspired by Self-Portrait in the Green Bugatti by Tamara de Lempicka.
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Linocut Day: Embracing Mistakes In Printmaking
Sunday 23 August 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Explore the creative possibilities of linocut printmaking in this experimental workshop focused on process, spontaneity, and creative risk-taking.
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Design & Bind Your Own Notebook
Saturday 05 September 2026
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Discover the art of handmade bookbinding in this practical workshop with artist Martine, where you will learn how to create your own beautifully crafted notebook from start to finish.
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Make An Impressionist Still Life Painting
Sunday 06 September 2026
10:00 am
Explore expressive still life painting through the techniques and ideas of Impressionism in this hands-on oil painting workshop focused on colour, light, and observation.
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Mini Movers & Makers Toddler Group
Thursday 10 September 2026
10:00 am
More times available
Artist-led toddler group provides a fun environment for children to explore sensory storytelling and experiment with a range of art activities.
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Build A Paper Animal Sculpture With Lino Printing (2-Part Workshop)
Saturday 19 September 2026
10:30 am
Explore paper sculpture and lino printing in this two-part creative workshop inspired by vintage decorative art and handmade animal sculptures.
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Monoprint Day: Texture, Gesture & Etching Press
Sunday 27 September 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Discover the expressive world of monoprinting in this hands-on creative session exploring texture, movement and abstraction through drawing and printmaking techniques.
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