Foyle Art For All Learning Studio

Art For All and the Art For All Learning Studio

The “Gallery Without Walls” learning and outreach programme during the restoration of Watts Gallery reached nearly 9,000 people locally, from families to adult learners, young people, women prisoners, the homeless, reformed drug and alcohol users, as well as adults with mental health problems. All of our practical workshops and talks have been hosted at local venues. As we have now returned to the restored building, it is amazing that we not only have a beautifully restored gallery and collection, but also the new Foyle Art for All Learning Studio, a designated workshop area for groups.

The Foyle Art for All Learning Studio is equipped with a kiln, which is the first time there has been a kiln on site since the Compton Pottery closed. This is now enabling the Gallery to run pottery workshops, including press moulding, slab building and throwing on our two potters’ wheels. The whole of Loseley Fields Primary School, our closest primary school, has been visiting us during June and all the children from reception to year six have been making pottery tiles, plant tags and wind chimes for their school garden, all to be fired in the new kiln.

As well as accommodating school visits, at the Foyle Art for All Learning Studio we will offer workshops for adults, including life drawing, painting and pottery, an art club for young people, family workshops in the school holidays and pottery birthday parties for children.