Learn with the Arches: Artist-Led Workshops

Community, Exhibitions, Workshops

Saturday 12th July – Sunday 3rd August 2025

God's House Tower

As part of Inside the Artist’s Studio: 20 Years of the Arches, join us for a series of hands-on artist-led workshops in the cafe extension and on the rooftop at God’s House Tower.

 

Each workshop offers a chance to learn something new, connect with practising artists whose work features in the exhibition, and explore your creativity in an inspiring, supportive space.

 

🧵 Cloth & Sigil with Jez Franck

Saturday 12 July | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn to make natural paint from organic materials and create your own sew-on patch featuring a JourneySpiral symbol or your own design. Infused with intention, your patch becomes a magical talisman – an act of quiet resistance, creativity, and care to stitch onto clothing or carry with you as spell and symbol. Book your ticket here

 

🎨 Rooftop ‘En Plein Air’ Painting Workshop

Saturday 12 July | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Join artists Stewart Beckett AROI, Marieta Sotirova, and Erica M. Szuplat for a unique landscape painting workshop on the rooftop of God’s House Tower. This outdoor session will include live demonstrations and expert guidance in the art of en plein air oil painting. Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike.Come enjoy the view and learn how to capture it on canvas! Book your ticket here

 

👐 British Sign Language Alphabet Art with Vicky Barber-Crimes

Sunday 13 July | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn how to fingerspell your name in British Sign Language and turn it into a printed artwork to take home. A playful and thoughtful way to explore communication and creativity. Book your ticket here

 

🌿 Organic Assemblage & Wild Cordage with Lucie Smith

Saturday 19 July | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn the ancient craft of cordage-making and build your own organic sculpture. Beginning the workshop with a cordage demonstration using natural materials, you’ll learn about the symbolism of working with organic matter in art, assembling a small sculpture which centres you in unison with local heritage and the natural world. Book your ticket here

 

🏆 Trophy for Trying with Aphrodite Kapoula

Saturday 19 July | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn to embrace the imperfect! Join the ranks of almost-champions and proud triers!  In this delightfully imperfect workshop for children and adults, we’ll create clay trophies honouring effort, quirks, and imperfect triumphs. Perfection is strictly not allowed. You’ll leave with your own handmade trophy to decorate at home once it’s dry. Because even “meh” moments deserve a medal. Book your ticket here

 

🔮 ODDjects: Creating Belonging Within with Vera Chiu

Saturday 26th July | 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Learn to express your personal story through found objects and paint in a welcoming, reflective session. This workshop invites you to explore identity, connection, and creativity in a warm and inclusive space. Book your ticket here

 

🎨 Abstract Painting with Neil Kelly

Sunday 27 July | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn abstract painting with a focus on Kandinsky’s ideas of Point and Line to Plane, exploring how shape, line and colour can be used to express rhythm, movement and emotion. Book your ticket here

 

🧱 Eco Tile Making with Terracotta & Coloured Slips with Chris Cudlip

Saturday 2 August | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn traditional tile-making techniques with an eco-conscious twist. Use terracotta clay and colourful slips to craft your own tile while gaining insight into sustainable-making practices. Book your ticket here

 

👐 Hand Collage Art with Vicky Barber-Crimes

Saturday 3 August | 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Create colourful paper collage picture using hand shapes! This workshop is delivered in British Sign Language and spoken English with deaf artist Vicky and BSL interpreter. Accessible for everyone. Book your ticket here

 

 

---

What to expect at these workshops

Workshops in the Cafe Extension: Access to the cafe extension is also step free and there is a ramp available should you need it to access the cafe, toilets and rest of the building. The courtyard has step free access from the corner of lower canal walk and town quay road.

Rooftop ‘En Plein Air’ Painting Workshop: The rooftop is on Level 3 of the tower. Please note there are some steep steps and dark passageways on the way up. We recommend taking your time and using the handrail for safety. Unfortunately, there is no step-free access to the roof. If you have any access needs or concerns, please get in touch, we’re happy to discuss how we can best accommodate you.

 

Finding us: GHT is a 25-minute walk from Southampton Central Train station and is on a number of local bus routes. Our closest car parks are Gloucester Square and Mayflower park. This part of the city can get very busy with traffic from the cruise ship terminals on Saturdays so please do allow for extra time if you’re driving.