‘Create It Together’
SCA’s Kaleidoscope Arts Mixed-Classes Group Exhibition
ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, Southport PR8 1EJ
18th August – 5th September 2026
After another outstanding year for solo exhibitions, the ArtHouse in Southport will be playing host to Southport Contemporary Arts’ keenly anticipated mixed-classes group exhibition this autumn.
The SCA network began in 2009 and was set up to embrace the fact that Southport is home to a host of different art practitioners working across a broad variety of disciplines.
This year’s showcase at the ArtHouse is now able to draw upon the diverse range of SCA’s current weekly taught art classes and workshops – Kaleidoscope Arts – that continues to attract a wide selection of Sefton artists and designers to its well equipped studios at ArtsLoft and ClayWorks in the town centre.
Aimed at nurturing the creative talents of the individual, although each class is taught the same skills, it is the way in which each artist then goes on to apply them in their own work that is important.
As Norrie Beswick Calvert, one of the SCA directors, emphasizes: “We are really proud of the developments that our students make and seeing their individuality shine through is an added bonus”.
Since its inception SCA has annually gone from strength to strength, adding the ClayWorks studio in May 2016 in response to the need for local artists who wanted to work with clay. In April 2017, the suite of craft studios above ClayWorks – ArtsLoft – was set up to deliver hands-on participation across a wide range of art and craft based workshops. In accord with its all-embracing policy to engage with as many local artists and practitioners as possible, a stair lift was added to provide full access to the first floor studio space.
Deliberately keeping the groups small and informal, the convivial classes cater for beginners, improvers and experienced creatives alike.
Amanda Clark-Price’s popular Mixed-Media classes offer a variety of new challenges and ideas to explore: “I really enjoy teaching the Mixed- Media drawing and painting classes. It is a lovely, supportive group with a mixture of abilities and experiences. It isn’t a course as such. We cover pencil, soft pastels, pen and ink, watercolour and acrylic paint, collage – also various printing techniques. We work on experimenting with materials and techniques and learning together – it’s lovely to see people becoming more confident as they progress and their work develops”.
Rena White, who attends on Tuesdays, enjoys rising to the weekly challenges: “The sessions are fun, friendly and supportive without any pressure. Members of the class have different interests and skills so we can also learn from each other and suggest new areas we might like to explore.
Rena’s own floral composition, on show at the exhibition, was a typically taxing test using assemblage: “I’m new to creating backgrounds and using collage. The flowers in my vase were left over from an earlier collage based on Frida Kahlo’s headdress. I added a few extra elements and decided to make what I hoped was a simple, casual arrangement in a short ‘dumpy’ vase rather than an elegant formal arrangement”.
Linda Hawksley from Tarleton who attends Jo Landy’s Creative Textile class, is equally enthusiastic: “This is a great group for anyone who loves textiles and wants to explore using them in various art forms. It’s for those of us who just ‘like to have a go’ and try something new. Led by an inspirational textile artist with plenty of encouragement from talented, friendly members.”
A well-known local textile artist from Formby, Jo confirms: “The Creative Textile class is a joy to teach – all abilities are catered for and the class members derive a great deal of inspiration and encouragement from each other. We cover all aspects of textiles including print, stitch, felt making and heat techniques and it is lovely to see new skills being learned and translated into finished pieces. Everyone works at their own pace and they continue to surprise me with very individual and quality work”.
Regular attendee, Lee Samuels from Southport, is likewise enjoying the experience: “I love coming to Jo’s textile class, she’s a wonderful tutor who inspires us all in so many ways. I’ve learnt so much and achieved many different skills. I enjoy spending time with a great bunch of women who are all very supportive of each other” mouth-wateringly adding “we also have lovely cake!”
Each Friday afternoon there is an Adult Autism Friendly Art Class led by mixed-media artist from Banks, Linda Heavon. Built around nurturing creative skills in adults that have Autism spectrum challenges, each student is supported to freely experiment using a variety of methods as well as promoting positive interaction with the group as a whole.
“The Autism Friendly guys have been exploring different media this year” explains Linda. “Getting out of our comfort zone is never easy, swapping watercolours for lino printing, acrylics for oil pastels, using stamps and making collages from the papers we’ve marbled is maybe just the beginning of a new way of creating for us – watch this space”.
Monday’s popular Painting Pastime class is led by Becky Atherton: “The Painting Pastime class enables the group to explore their own practice, develop skills, find their own identity and interests within the art world. Exploration, confidence, learning new skills, making friends and being part of a creative, supportive group are the main aim of the class”.
Described as a “friendly group where art and socialising lead to the creation of inspired paintings” students are unanimous in their praise for the activity: “Southport Painting Pastime has for me opened up the creative possibilities when using acrylics and the possibility of a mixed media approach” and “my confidence and competence as a painter have really improved since attending the class”.
Some of the most popular classes occur at ClayWorks, SCA’s dedicated fit-for-purpose ceramics studio. Timetabled classes are scheduled twice-daily weekdays and delivered by a team of skilled potters. Students across the week are encouraged to exploit a wide range of making and decorating methods, including coiling, slab building, casting, throwing and glazing.
Merv Thomas, who has been potting off and on since 1960, currently manages the studio and overseas a couple of the classes: “Our students are from all walks of life. Some are looking to develop new skills whilst others are seeking to hone their existing expertise, all in a safe friendly environment. Mindfulness and managing the stresses of everyday life are also important to many of our students”.
Southport potter, Alice Odgers, who has previously worked as a ceramics instructor in summer camps in America and Canada, also looks after several of the ClayWorks’ classes: “Being part of a network of people expressing themselves through creativity is amazing. Our sessions and its members are diverse, each with their own pottery styles and abilities. It’s great to see the students work with one another, to see ideas grow and confidence flourish during our pottery sessions, which is reflected in the works on display.”
Concluding: “If you’re thinking of making a start on, or developing your skills, why not think about joining one of our small group, friendly sessions and let your creativity fly!”
More information about SCA’s current series of workshops and classes can be found at www.sca-network.co.uk or by emailing to arthousesca@gmail.com.
‘Create It Together’ is a celebratory exhibition and sale of work that certainly confirms the diversity and resourcefulness of these talented homegrown artisans. SCA’s Kaleidoscope Arts Mixed-Classes Group Exhibition will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street from 18th August – 5th September 2026. The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday 10.00-15.00. Saturday 11.00-16.00.