Workshops
IOU’s monthly workshop taster sessions are an opportunity for artists, creatives and makers to come together to experiment, exchange ideas, network and skills sharing opportunities
About our Workshops
Workshop sessions at the IOU Creation Centre and Hostel, include everything from clock-making and welding, writing and choreography, to verbatim theatre and life drawing. The sessions are an opportunity to explore a wide range of skills and techniques from a broad sweep of artists and crafts-people working in the region.
Healing with Nature: Herbal Tea & Balm Making Workshop
25/6/25 Join us for a hands-on, sensory-rich workshop to learn the art of crafting herbal teas and balms using fresh, seasonal plants. Perfect for beginners and plant-lovers alike, this workshop invites you to connect with nature, discover the benefits of local flora, and leave with practical skills to support your wellbeing throughout the spring months.
Scavenger Workshop by Noisy Toys
28/5/25 Get hands on with e-waste in this playful and inspiring workshop all about hacking, tinkering, fixing, breaking and upcycling.
Cairn Building and Decorating
30/5/25 Join IOU Artist in Residence Esk (Stewart Knights) for a relaxed drop in session where we will get creative with rocks, stones and stories, building a community cairn in the IOU Studio.
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Some of our previous workshops and masterclasses
IOU's Annual Festive Workshop 2024
December 2024 saw IOU’s festive workshop return offering a glimpse into the wonderful world of WONDERHAUS. 25 participants joined Manchester-based jewellery designer, Julia Roy-Williams, for an exciting evening creating stunning art jewellery from repurposed acrylic
The Sound of Plants
September 2024 saw an innovative immersive workshop exploring the fascinating relationship between art, technology, and nature. Led by artist Pippa Tuffin, the session delved into the hidden world of plant communication through drawings and sounds.
The Art of Miniature Sculpture
April 2024 Artist in Residence Georgia D’Silva led a workshop delving into the world of miniature dioramas, participants created individual miniature plates of food, contributing to a collaborative artwork
Kinetic Sculpture Masterclass
July 2021 Led by renowned artist Jim Bond, the class completed their own kinetic sculptures which went on to be exhibited in the walkway Gallery
Physical and Digital Sculpture Workshop
Aug 2023 This 2 day workshop explored combined hand stone carving techniques and the digital processes for 3D modeling, led by Sumit Sakar and Claudia Dietz
IOU Annual Festive Workshop 2023
December 2023 saw an enthusiastic group of participants getting creative and collaborative at the IOU Creation Centre for our annual Festive Workshop This year’s workshop ‘Wonky Stars’ , led by STTA artist Sue Walpole saw us making geometric illuminated stars from willow – stunning decorations to take home
Woodcut and Relief Printing
April 2023 : An introduction to the techniques used in contemporary woodcut and relief printing with IOU Two Rivers artist Richard Wincer
Experimental Oils
May 2023 : IOU Artist in Residence Alicja Mrozowska led an oil painting workshop combining experimental techniques, alternative ‘canvases’ and digital tools
An Introduction to Physical Theatre for Outdoor Performance
March 2023 : 15 participants joined us for exciting physical theatre workshop led by actor and director Garth Williams from Safety Catch Theatre
Sensing Through Moving
July 2023 : A dance and movement workshop with Eve Wagster- explore our everyday movement, recognising where patterns and interests emerge.
'Taking part in the workshop was an adventure into a creative world I hadn't taken part in before. Learning new skills and being around so many creative people was a breath of fresh air to me'
ParticipantFestive Making It December 2022
The annual IOU Festive Making It kick starts Christmas. Each year the workshop is an alternative take on the traditional – from seasonal wreaths made from bicycle wheels to paper lanterns and mechanical decorations
This year 30 enthusiastic makers joined us to craft plastic bottles into festive lights and decorations
Led by IOU Assistant Producer and artist Rachel Rea, everyone got creative with plastic to form shapes and add colour. Then finished off by adding battery operated lights to make garlands or decorations that they could use at home outside or on their tree.
Rachel is a practicing artist working with Immortal Bloom to make light infused craft works that reuse and repurpose materials, particularly plastics, at the end of their life in ways that ensure another use. Their aim is to promote ‘circularity’; the principle that there is no waste, through sharing knowledge and nurturing creative ways to using pre-existent material and technologies.
Sessions In Action
Interested in taking part in a making it session?
If you would like more information, or would like to propose a workshop – then contact us via the form below.
