Press play on something new this summer.
Our Summer Mixtape is a carefully curated collection of short courses — a little bit of this, a little bit of that — brought together like your favourite classic cassette. Expect a mix of creative workshops, hands-on sessions and thought-provoking ideas, all packed into short experiences.
No long commitments, no pressure — just pick what catches your eye and give it a go. Whether you’re trying something completely new or rediscovering an old interest, this is your chance to explore, experiment and enjoy the process.
Even better, bring a friend along and make it a shared experience. Swap playlists, swap ideas, and discover something unexpected together.
Find your favourites and build your own summer mix.
The entire playlistCome along and learn some exciting enamelling techniques with experienced jewellery tutor Sally Lees.
Introduction to Interior Design: Creating Mood Boards, Floor Plans, and Sample Boards
This one-day workshop introduces the practice of urban sketching: drawing directly from observation to record places, spaces and the everyday life of the city.
Learn the components needed to make a t shirt and with no waste.
3 day Nerikomi and Neriage workshop to create your own pottery pieces.
Using images, maps and extracts, we will explore the world of the London anatomy schools and the ‘resurrection men’ who supplied the corpses they required as teaching material.
Exploring East London history via some of the vividly realised fiction written about its various districts in the years between 1820 and 1920. We will think about how imaginative fiction and historical fact intertwine to create local legend.
Akira Kurosawa’s Rashōmon is one of the most acclaimed films of all time. But did you know it is adapted from two short stories by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa? On this course we will read these and discuss their transformation into film, along with more short fictions that became movies by outstanding Japanese authors including Haruki Murakami.
Beginners - Patchwork Tote Bag Workshop. You will learn how to piece together squares and construct them into a stylish tote bag.
Beginner Photoshop taster for textile print design—learn simple colour editing, layering and motif creation using Adobe Photoshop in two evening sessions.
Build essential workplace cyber safety skills in this taster beginner course
Try our 1 hour Summer Fitness Salsa Taster. Learn basic salsa steps, boost coordination and enjoy a fun, low impact Latin cardio workout perfect for beginners.
Try our gentle 1 hour Summer Stretch & Flex taster. Beginner friendly, low impact movements to improve flexibility, release tension and feel good.
Learn to draw realistically using the sight size method!
In this course we’ll explore this unsettling and subversive novel by Emily Brontë.
Because of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ killings, the late Victorian East End can be read as a cityscape of poverty and fear. But there is another Whitechapel – a magnet for a variety of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who sought to grapple with the problems of the modern city and to create a better life.
Confused about essential oils? This workshop is ideal for anyone wanting to understand what they are, how they work and how to use them safely.
A city is made of words as much as bricks and mortar.
A fun one-day summer workshop exploring glass fusing techniques to make beautiful jewellery.
A friendly and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of drawing. It is designed especially for absolute beginner.
Introduction to Interior Design: Creating Mood Boards, Floor Plans, and Sample Boards
Over two full days, participants will begin by naturally dyeing their fabric using botanical dye techniques before moving into garment construction.
The Art Trail visits art galleries to see exhibitions and learn about contemporary art.
Why are we drawn to murderers, manipulators, and morally ambiguous anti-heroes? Why do crime novels, true crime podcasts, and psychological thrillers hold such enduring appeal?
The Art Trail visits art galleries to see exhibitions and learn about contemporary art.
Introduction to Interior Design: Creating Mood Boards, Floor Plans, and Sample Boards
Learn basic mending skills, while exploring the artistic potential of repair.
Create beautiful handmade melt and pour soaps in this beginner friendly soap making workshop, perfect for learning natural colours, fragrances, and botanicals this summer.
This immersive one-day introduction explores the foundations of sustainable fashion design.
Draw a live model in poses inspired by famous masterpieces, exploring composition, movement and expressive figure drawing
Learn the basics of traditional glass painting and how to build up an image on glass using layers of fired paint.
Learn Fashion CAD basics in a six hour Saturday taster using Adobe Illustrator to create clean technical garment flats.
With the art of fan-making being a 'critically endangered craft in the UK', this unique, fun, educative and therapeutic class aims to 'revive' its concept to new and diverse audiences.
Learn and engage with podcasting fundamentals by exploring the timely question, “Does social media do more harm than good?” through collaborative discussion and production.
Learn the relaxing craft of macramé knotting and create a decorative handmade textile piece.
Learn basic Japanese sashiko techniques to add both strength and beauty to repaired pieces.
On this 90-minute walk, we will stop off at several historic locations to think about two very dark periods of London’s medical history.
Hands can be hard to draw! But will yield to study and when mastered become a powerful expressive element!
Now that the Mary Ward Centre has moved to Stratford, are you curious about the history of the area?
Advanced - Learn to make a Lone Star Block Design. If you are familiar with the basics of quilting then this course will help you develop your skills and learn how to construct a lone star block design.
A deeply relaxing sound healing session with crystal quartz bowls, affirmations, and chakra alignment to restore emotional and energetic balance.
A fun one-day courses that explore several techniques in monoprint and monotype printmaking.
Spend a day getting to know the sewing machine and how to use it more effectively. Perfect for people who have a sewing machine but are not confident in using it.
Parks and gardens are cooling spaces within the urban heat of summer in Stratford.
Discover the creative technique of draping fabric directly on the dress stand to develop garment shapes and silhouettes.
Explore the elegant craft of painting on silk to create unique decorative textile designs.
Spend a day getting to know the sewing machine and how to use it more effectively. Perfect for people who have a sewing machine but are not confident in using it.