Find it, Fix it, Flog It star to host wreath workshop at Bluecoat

Find it, Fix it, Flog It star Gemma Longworth is leading an exciting wreath making event in the historic city centre building, alongside a unique Christmas arts market and a range of family activities.

Bluecoat is delighted to announce a packed programme of winter events guaranteed to have you feeling festive. 

On Saturday 2 December, TV personality, upcycler and crafter Gemma Longworth – a regular on TV’s Find it, Fix it, Flog It – is leading a very special Festive Wreath Making Workshop. Beginners and seasoned makers alike can make their own bespoke wreath using fresh foliage, and there’ll be mulled apple juice and minced pies on the day.

Back in September, we were delighted to announce that Blue Room, Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project for learning disabled and neurodivergent artists have collaborated with cosmetics brand LUSH on a festive Knot Wrap.

To help celebrate this, our Blue Room artists have designed a garden trial featuring a range of characters from the design. As part of the Party Animals Garden Trail, visitors are invited to pick up a free trail sheet and see how many characters they can spot hidden around the Bluecoat’s secret garden.   

The family fun continues with a Family Festive Print Party where little artists can create their own pack of Christmas cards and artworks using print foam. Bluecoat will also be partnering with award winning dance company Movema to bring visitors Makers + Shakers: A Creative Family Disco in December, a session of festive moving, making and shaking.

Create Christmas decorations followed by a festive disco led by dance artists from Movema.

There’s plenty on offer for the grown-ups too, whether you want to learn a new skill or simply spend time with friends. 

Print your very own wrapping paper, Christmas cards and decorations in a Festive Print Workshop, all under the guidance of a local artist and printmaker. 

For a Christmas night out with a difference it’s hard to beat Make A Print Edition with Tim Spooner, a rare opportunity for visitors to spend time with artist Tim Spooner.

Participants will learn block printing techniques to make their very own print edition inspired by the works in Tim’s current Bluecoat exhibition A New Kind of Animal. There will also be a chance to meet and hear from Tim, who will share an insight into his work. 

Don’t miss the perfect chance to pick up a unique Christmas gift at the Bluecoat Arts Market. The market will feature a selection of prints created by artists in Bluecoat’s very own print studios.

If you’re looking for a Christmas party venue with a difference, Bluecoat makes the perfect location. Choose from an indulgent three course sit-down meal, or enjoy a relaxed evening of festive bites and drinks, all within the striking setting of Bluecoat’s Grade I listed building. For enquiries please contact events@thebluecoat.org.uk  

Throughout the Christmas period Bluecoat’s galleries will be open and visitors can experience Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal. The exhibition features a host of furry animatronic scultpures alongside an impressive body of Spooner’s previous work including collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years.

Full details of all Bluecoat’s Christmas events are below: 

Party Animals Garden Trail
Until Sun 7 Jan
Free

Artists from Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project, invite you to discover a menagerie of festive characters hidden in the Bluecoat’s secret garden. The Party Animals trail celebrates characters from Blue Room’s new knot wrap design commission from ethical cosmetics company, LUSH.

Pick up a free trail sheet from our Children’s Corner and see how many Party Animals you can spot.

Family Festive Print Party
Sat 25 Nov, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm

Adult & Child Combo Ticket: £14
Additional Child Ticket: £8

This festive season join our family friendly workshop and design, sculpt and print your own pack of Christmas cards and artworks using print foam. You’ll also create your own beautiful mono-printed decorations for your tree. 

For ages 4+. Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

All materials included.

Festive Print Workshop
Sat 2 Dec, 11am – 5pm
£70

Learn how to print your very own Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations using linocut whilst listening to festive tunes with a complimentary tea and a mince pie.

Your session will be led by a local artist and printmaker. You’ll learn the basics of linocut, how to create and register a multiple colour design and how to print your design.

Festive Wreath Making with Gemma Longworth
Sat 2 Dec, 11am – 1pm
£55

Get into the festive spirit and join us for a hands-on wreath making workshop where you’ll learn to create your own bespoke wreath using fresh foliage. This workshop, led by TV’s Gemma Longworth, is perfect for both beginners and seasoned crafters.

All materials included. You are welcome to bring sentimental items or additional decorations to make your wreath unique.

Make a Print Edition with Tim Spooner
Thu 7 Dec, 6-9pm
£40

Join artist Tim Spooner in learning Block Printing techniques to make your very own print edition inspired by his current exhibition, A New Kind of Animal at the Bluecoat. You’ll also have the rare opportunity to meet and hear from Tim, who will share an insight into the inspiration behind his works in our galleries.

Bluecoat Arts Market
Sat 9 Dec
Free entry

Come along to the Bluecoat’s first Arts Market. Browse a selection of prints created by artists in our very own print studios, and pick up the perfect Christmas present for the art lover in your life.

Makers + Shakers: A Creative Family Disco
Sun 10 Dec, 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm

Family bundle: £30
Adult and child: £20
Additional child: £8
Babes in arms, free

Bring the whole family for a session of festive moving, making and shaking. Create Christmas decorations with the Bluecoat, and follow Santa’s trail across the globe in a dance session led by artists from Movema. 

Makers & Shakers is a joint partnership brought to you by Bluecoat and Movema.

Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal
Until Sun 21 Jan
Free

Tim Spooner brings an exciting new commission to the Bluecoat, in the form of a host of furry, quivering animatronic sculptures. On display alongside this new commission is an impressive body of Spooner’s work, including over 190 works in collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years. This survey of work will serve as a blueprint for the new commission; a set of instructions for ‘a new kind of animal’.

For more in on Bluecoat click HERE.