Coming up Next
Free your creativity
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Workshop
Hosted by: Denise Blackburn
Free your creativity workshop, where you can make a mess and be childlike!
Denise has a degree in fine art, lives in Surrey and is an active exhibitor in Open Studios. She runs workshops for people who want to express themselves through art and become aware of their creative flow. Creativity is about curiosity and innocence. In other words, Denise will help you get into your own creative flow and feel comfortable with what you create.
In the workshops participants can make a mess and give themselves permission to experiment. It’s not about a Picasso – it’s about you – and your own way of expressing your unique and individual style! We use cheap paper and paint and bits of collage. It’s abstract expressionism in its truest form!
You can get a place by filling in enquiry form on website www.soul-art.co.uk
Guildford Jazz: Sam Woodland & Seth Pannifer Duo
Location: Art + Grind
Event: Free
Hosted by: Guildford Jazz
Enjoy some live jazz with your coffee and cake at the Art and Grind Cafe, and take the opportunity to browse the Jazz Photography exhibition.
Featuring the talented duo of local guitarist Sam Woodland and saxophonist Seth Pannifer.
Talk with Monica Popham: Landscape Artist of the Year
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Talk
Hosted by: Monica Popham
Monica Popham is a Gibraltarian landscape artist based in London. Her work is inspired by the Mediterranean light of her upbringing in Gibraltar, exploring how sunlight interacts with architecture. Through vivid colour and bold compositions, she often transforms everyday shadows cast by palm trees, washing lines, or windows into subjects in their own right, capturing the warmth and stillness of sunlit spaces.
In 2024, Monica won Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, which led to a major commission for the London Science Museum, where she created a piece reflecting Orkney’s pioneering renewable energy landscape. Since winning the competition, she has been working as a full-time artist, continuing to expand her practice and explore the emotional power of light in her paintings.
Admission is free and there are only 30 spaces available. If you’d like to reserve a spot email: popham.studio@hotmail.com
Artist in the Window: Sam B Kennedy
Location: Art + Grind
Opening Times/Cafe: 8:00 - 17:00 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) 9:00 - 17:00 (Sunday)We will have artist, Sam B Kennedy, working as an artist in residence in our window throughout the festival.
She will be creating a mixed media piece of artwork throughout her time with us and will be available to talk with visitors and they may even be able to put their own mark on her artwork!
Please note - she will be there from 2pm - 5pm everyday!
Harvest with Artventure: Creating a Collaborative Piece
Location: The Mill Studio
Event type: Workshop (drop-in)
Join us creating a collaborative piece using different materials and techniques – from painting and drawing to textile collaging, leaf rubbing, apple printing and more.
During this fun activity you can add your contribution to the big picture we are going to complete during the Festival.
This activity is for all ages and abilities. You will also have the chance to see some of the artworks on display created by Artventure participants.
Talk with Andrew Curtis: Drawing Music Live
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Talk
Hosted by: Andrew Curtis
Andrew will talk about how he approaches drawing music live at festivals and gigs, offering examples of his work. He will demonstrate his methods and give the audience practical tips. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own sketchbooks and have a go. Andrew is the former Head of Art at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford.
Have a go at Screenprinting
Location: The Britannia Pub
Event type: Workshop (drop-in)
Hosted by: Jeysie and Jule Mallett
Drop in and have a go at handpulling your own screenprint.
All ages and abilities welcome.
Once dry you can take your print home.
Textiles: Drop In Stitch Meditation Workshop
Location: The Britannia Pub
Event type: Workshop (drop-in)
Hosted by: Textiles on Tuesday
Join the Textiles on Tuesdays sewing group for an introduction to stitch as meditation, a process that’s good for body and soul, allowing you to indulge in the tactile nature of hand stitch without the pressure of an end goal. The pieces created are often small scale (maybe only 4 square inches) and layered, so provide the perfect vehicle for incorporating scraps of material. Spend between 10 to 20 minutes creating your square to take home.
Create with Clay: 175 Pots for Mary Watts
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Workshop (drop-in)
Join Watts Gallery at the Guildford Festival of the Arts to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Mary Watts' birth.
As a tribute to the artist, designer, and visionary craftswoman, we’re inviting the community to help us create 175 miniature pots in her distinctive style. Drop in to meet our resident ceramicist, Bahareh Khomeiry, and learn how to hand-build a simple pot inspired by Mary Watts’ legacy.
Your creation will be taken back to Watts Gallery to be fired and displayed as part of a special exhibition honouring Mary’s life and work. After the exhibition, you’ll be able to collect your finished piece to keep.
Price: £10
Guildford Coffee Club // Cannon Coffee
Location: New House Art Space
Event type: Workshop
This is an event that happens once a month at New House Art Space.
Each event will focus on a different aspect of the coffee world, designed for open dialogue and discovery:
A Focus on Coffee Exploration: This could mean delving into a local roaster's craft, sharing captivating stories about coffee's journey, or an interactive session to learn new brewing techniques.
One Sunday Morning: A perfect opportunity to relax, learn, and connect.
Open Dialogue: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
Plenty of Time to Wander the Gallery: Immerse yourself in the art around you, allowing for quiet contemplation and inspiration.
If you are new to Guildford Coffee Club or this is your first time attending an event since the relaunch for a discounted ticket use code: FIRSTTIME
You can turn up on the day or tickets can be bought here.
Portfolio Review
Location: New House Art Space
Event type: Portfolio Review (free)
Looking to discuss ideas and get some feedback on your portfolio? Look no further!
Whether you are a GCSE/A-level student, preparing for University or a local artist just looking for portfolio advice, we’re happy to help!
Price: Free but please book in advance here.
Annabel Miller
Annabel Miller is an artist and contemporary art curator. Her practice is grounded in both critical theory and hands-on artistic exploration, shaped by a background in mixed media and sculpture.
Annabel has a Masters degree from the Royal College of Art, and a BA in Fine Art from Arts University Bournemouth. In addition to a Foundation in Art and Design from Kingston School of Art.
With a strong foundation in artistic practice, Annabel now works primarily as a curator, bringing an artist’s sensibility to exhibition-making. Her curatorial approach is informed by her interest in materiality, narrative, and spatial dialogue, bridging creative production with thoughtful presentation.
Annabel currently works as the Gallery and studio Assistant at New House Art Space and is co-founder of the Togather collective.
Creative Photography
Location: The Mill Studio
Event type: Drop-in Workshop
Hosted by: Sam Ivin
Fun photography and visual art activities including: • Free Cyanotypes, create blue toned prints with sunlight. • Five Minute Family Portraits - pay what you choose. • Other free visual art activities.
Artist Bio
Sam Ivin is an award winning photographer whose manipulated portraits explore topics such as human migration and social care. Ivin’s process often involves hosting photography workshops, where he creates collaborative artwork with project participants.
John Russell: Guildford’s Royal Academician
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Talk
Hosted by: Olive Maggs BA MA PGCE
John Russell RA was an English painter renowned for his portrait work in oils and pastels, and as a writer and teacher of painting techniques. Born in Guildford, Russell was one of the eighteenth century’s leading pastel portraitists. In 1789 he was appointed Painter to King George III, then later to the Prince of Wales and to the Prince Regent. However Russell captured the character of sitters from all walks of life, from royalty to local personalities of Surrey.
Price: Non-Member: £17.50; Member: £15.50
Tickets can be bought here or call the Guildford Institute on: 01483 562142
Portrait Drawing Session
Location: Carmine Crimson
Event type: Workshop (ticketed but free)
Hosted by: Michael Gallone
To celebrate Guildford’s Festival of the Arts, join us for a free portrait drawing class. All levels welcome, no experience necessary. Paper, pencils and easels are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own materials.
Our tutor Michael Gallone will be taking you through a portrait drawing demo and will be on hand to offer 1-1 guidance if you would like some.
We have free tea, coffee and biscuits for you to enjoy too.
Numbers are limited so reserve your free spot here.
Bluebell Wood in Acrylic Workshop
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Workshop (ticketed)
Hosted by: Nathalie Scott
Learn about acrylic techniques and how to create depth by layering as you paint a bluebell wood guided by award-winning artist Nathalie Beauvillain Scott.
Award-winning artist Nathalie Beauvillain Scott specialises in highly detailed portrait paintings of everyday people in everyday life. Her pictures of everyone from children to celebrities are recognised for their incredible likeness, with her reputation for detail resulting in her work being displayed in the National Portrait Gallery on many occasions. You can currently see one of Nathalie's portrait in the National Portrait Gallery as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer portrait award until 12 October 2025.
Price: £25 (materials included)
Please email to book tickets: nathalie@murals-portraits.co.uk
Hand-building Pottery Workshop
Location: Solar Sisters
Event type: Workshop (ticketed)
Hosted by: Ysanne Brooks Ceramics
A fun evening of clay crafting with potter Ysanne Brooks.
Date: 27th September. Time: 7-9pm. Venue: Solar Sisters, 86 North Street, Guildford.
In this class, Ysanne will cover the basics of hand-building with earthenware clay to help you create a hand-built pot or plate of your own design, inspired by nature. Your finished piece will be ready to pick up and take home after it has been fired and glazed in Ysanne's home studio.
Price: £35 per person (includes materials)
First come first serve or tickets can be bought here.
Sgraffito Decorations on Ceramic Tiles Workshop
Location: Art + Grind
Event type: Workshop (ticketed)
Hosted by: Anamica Chauhan Vince
Explore with artist Anamica Chauhan Vince the technique of sgraffito, where patterns and images are scratched out of colour applied to leather hard clay. The word originates from the Italian word sgraffiare, literally meaning ‘to scratch’. Let the coloured clay be your canvas in this 90-minute workshop.
Anamica Chauhan Vince is a Surrey-based Ceramic artist, Studio potter and Tutor with Surrey Adult Learning. Born in India in 1974, Anamica started her pottery journey from Delhi in India and then travelled to Dublin (Ireland), Goa (India) and Bali (Indonesia) to learn and work with various established ceramic artists. Her work is greatly influenced by them all but also a lot by her students. The more she teaches, the more she learns.
Her work evolves with time and is made using the potter’s wheel and hand-building methods with different surface decorations. Nature and movement inspire her. She loves organic forms and finds clay work grounding and meditative.
Instagram: @anna_potternomad
Facebook: Crafty Ideas Pottery
Website: www.craftyideaspottery.com
Price: £35pp plus £10 firing charge. An additional £20 fee will be applied to anyone wishing to create more than one tile.
To book tickets, please visit: https://www.artandgrind.co.uk/events
GFOTA Live @ Lockwood Studios
Where: Lockwood Studios
A Celebratory Gathering!
A word from Craig Hills:
Friends & fellow Guildfordians; Many will be aware that for many years I've been working with a group of the like minded to turn the Lockwood Centre on Slyfield Industrial Estate, into an Arts, Innovation & Wellbeing Centre, now Lockwood Studios.
Well, at the end of May we signed a 10 year lease with Surrey County Council. The good news is that in just 3 months we have nearly filled all the currently available studio spaces, with a mix of local charities, individual artists, educators and partnering creative business's.
On Saturday the 27th of September we are opening the doors for a celebration of Guildford's first Festival of the Arts https://guildfordfestivalofthearts.co.uk/ for an evening of music, food the creative, including an exhibition curated by Guildford Arts. Tour the facilities and meet the Team. There will be a donation entry. From 5pm (for a tour). In partnership with Kane FM, Music Works & rikyskitchen.uk I look forward to seeing you there https://www.facebook.com/events/1121879949331227...
Lockwood Studios is a vibrant community hub that aims to unlock individual health and creative potential.
We offer a diverse programme of arts, events and wellbeing activities together with a range of flexible spaces for hire - meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, art studios, workshop areas, and a large multi-purpose venue.
Our (soon to open) welcoming café with courtyard garden serves to help foster networking, collaboration, and a positive, inclusive environment where health and creativity can flourish.
..Craig
Introduction to Paper Flower Making workshops
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Workshop (ticketed)
Hosted by: Kate Alger
Kate Alger is an award-winning artist-printmaker and educator. Her work is entirely handmade and is often inspired by her walks in and around Guildford. Kate has several years' experience teaching many different forms of art and craft to a wide range of audiences. Kate's artwork has been exhibited at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, Southbank Printmakers' Gallery, The British Motor Museum, the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, Mall Galleries, the Royal Automobile Club, and many other galleries. Her work has been shortlisted for several awards, including the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 and 2025. Kate created the artwork for the new signboard on The Mount, and she welcomes both corporate and private commissions. You can see some of Kate's artwork here; www.instagram.com/KateAlgerArtist
Do you fancy making your own paper flowers but aren't sure where to start? Come and learn how to make some simple paper flowers out of Italian crepe paper with local paper florist, Kate Alger. You'll leave with beautiful flowers that won't ever need watering and a probably a new favourite hobby...
You can see some of Kate's artwork, and a selection of photos from past introductory paper flower workshops and longer masterclass workshops here: www.instagram.com/KateAlgerArtist
Suitable for ages 10+
Price: £25/person (max.10 per workshop)
To book tickets, please email Kate: kate.alger.art@gmail.com
Tote bag Printing Workshops
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Workshop
Hosted by: Georgia Tunesi
Customise a tote bag with a unique hand painted design in this fun, laid-back workshop. All skill levels welcome as inspiration and guided advice will be provided throughout the session to help you paint your dream tote bag. Blank tote bags and art materials will be supplied by us. This is the perfect time to get creative and try something new. Tickets are limited, book now so you don't miss out!
Price: £20 (includes materials and tote bag to take home)
Tickets can be bought in advance here.
Artist in the Window: Sam B Kennedy
Location: Art + Grind
Opening Times/Cafe: 8:00 - 17:00 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) 9:00 - 17:00 (Sunday)
We will have artist, Sam B Kennedy, working as an artist in residence in our window throughout the festival.
She will be creating a mixed media piece of artwork throughout her time with us and will be available to talk with visitors and they may even be able to put their own mark on her artwork!
Please note - she will be there from 2pm - 5pm everyday!
Introduction to Paper Flower Making workshops
Location: Guildford Institute
Event type: Workshop (ticketed)
Hosted by: Kate Alger
Kate Alger is an award-winning artist-printmaker and educator. Her work is entirely handmade and is often inspired by her walks in and around Guildford. Kate has several years' experience teaching many different forms of art and craft to a wide range of audiences. Kate's artwork has been exhibited at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, Southbank Printmakers' Gallery, The British Motor Museum, the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, Mall Galleries, the Royal Automobile Club, and many other galleries. Her work has been shortlisted for several awards, including the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 and 2025. Kate created the artwork for the new signboard on The Mount, and she welcomes both corporate and private commissions. You can see some of Kate's artwork here; www.instagram.com/KateAlgerArtist
Do you fancy making your own paper flowers but aren't sure where to start? Come and learn how to make some simple paper flowers out of Italian crepe paper with local paper florist, Kate Alger. You'll leave with beautiful flowers that won't ever need watering and a probably a new favourite hobby...
You can see some of Kate's artwork, and a selection of photos from past introductory paper flower workshops and longer masterclass workshops here: www.instagram.com/KateAlgerArtist
Suitable for ages 10+
Price: £25/person (max.10 per workshop)
To book tickets, please email Kate: kate.alger.art@gmail.com
Artventure Repousse Workshop
Location: The Mill Studio
Event type: Workshop
Hosted by: Artventure
We invite you to make unique and personalised greeting cards using simple materials and a metalworking technique called Repousse. We provide all the materials just bring your ideas.
Suitable for age 14+
Underwater Scene in Ink
Location: Yvonne Arnaud
Event type: Workshop (ticketed)
Explore the beauty of the sea with artist Nathalie Beauvillain Scott as she guides you in creating an underwater scene in anilinky watercolour, ink and salt.
Award-winning artist Nathalie Beauvillain Scott specialises in highly detailed portrait paintings of everyday people in everyday life. Her pictures of everyone from children to celebrities are recognised for their incredible likeness, with her reputation for detail resulting in her work being displayed in the National Portrait Gallery on many occasions. You can currently see one of Nathalie's portrait in the National Portrait Gallery as part of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer portrait award until 12 October 2025.
Price: £25 (materials included)
Please email to book tickets: nathalie@murals-portraits.co.uk
Free Clothes Swap
Location: Zero
Event type: Workshop
Hosted by: Zero
Refresh your wardrobe sustainably and connect through circular fashion
Adults can bring up to 5 stylish, good-condition items to swap. Refresh your wardrobe sustainably and connect through circular fashion.
Note - We only accept non-stained, good conditioned clothing for the swap. They need to be items that people would take pleasure in wearing again.
Tea and coffee provided.
To book your place click here. Please give a donation.
Block Printing: Nature themed prints on fabric
Location: Zero
Event type: Workshop
Hosted by: Zero
Give old clothes (or bags) new life with beautiful nature-inspired block prints
Take your fashion to the next level by adorning your clothes with prints designed by ZERO artists. Choose from animals, flowers, or inspiring words prints. Bring your own clothing to print on OR bring clothes to swap at the clothing swap (happening simultaneously) and then decorative your new-to-you garments with fun nature-themed art in a variety of colours. A great event for adults and children alike.
Tea and coffee provided.
Donations to the charity welcome
Please note: this is not a 'drop off your garment' event
To book your place click here. Please give a donation.
Mending Circle
Location: Zero
Event type: Workshop
Hosted by: Zero
Join us for a special Mending Circle session for the start of Sustainable Fashion Week. As usual, bring any items of clothing that you want to repair or need help repairing in a friendly, social environment. We'll also have a swap shop and printmaking workshop going on in the space at the same time. Why not come for all 3 events!
Tea and coffee provided.
Donations to the charity welcome
Please note: this is not a 'drop off your garment' event
To book your place click here. Please give a donation.
Blossom LGBT: Knitting Workshop
Location: New House Art Space
Event type: Workshop
A gentle hands-on knitting workshop for queer young adults aged 16 and over, centred on slowness, creativity, and togetherness. Whether you’re picking up needles for the first time or returning to a forgotten skill, this two-hour session is an invitation to make something soft with your hands, and connect through care.
You’ll learn:
The basics of knitting (casting on, knit stitch, and more)
How repetitive movement can support mindfulness and calm
How crafting together can spark conversation and community
Space to create at your own pace, with support when you need it
Knitting is a quiet act of care with each loop holding time, intention, and warmth. In this workshop, you’re encouraged to bring your full self, go slow, and stitch without pressure.
All materials provided. You’ll leave with something you made… and maybe the beginnings of a new practice.
Demonstration of Stained Glass Making
Location: The Mill Studio
Event type: Demonstration (drop-in)
Hosted by: Nathalie Joel
Nathalie Joel will hold a demonstration workshop to show the art of stained glass making at The Mill Studio at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
Drop in experience.
