The Liverpool School of Art, the second oldest School of Art in England and creative heart of this city, turns 200 years old in 2025! As part of the Being Human Festival and as one of the many celebrations for the School’s bicentenary, you’re invited to participate in making a huge map to identify the people and organisations which connect in any way, shape, form, or time to the School since its formation in 1825 – discovering the creative ecosystem of Liverpool’s art education history in the process.
This event will run concurrently with the exhibition Back to the Drawing Board: 200 Years of Art Education based in the same building, and will hopefully contribute to further exhibit work as part of the ongoing celebration activities.
- Fri 7 Nov 13:00-16:00
- Sat 15 Nov 11:00-14:00
Mount Pleasant Campus Library 29 Maryland StL1 9DE
All are welcome – you don’t have to have been a student at the Liverpool School of Art to attend! Light refreshments will be provided.
The building is wheelchair accessible, but please email archives@ljmu.ac.uk if you have any specific access questions or concerns.
If you can’t make the event but are still interested in the Liverpool School of Art’s history, LJMU Special Collections & Archives manage the archival papers of the School which are available to browse here, and you can visit anything from our many collections by appointment anytime Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00.
This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 6 – 15 November 2025. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/
Welcome in the festive season with a fun & relaxed Christmas-tree-decorations workshop at John Lewis store in Liverpool One, on Sunday 30 November – choose from a morning or afternoon session!
Come along for a fun and festive event where we’ll be creating beautiful folded-paper Christmas baubles! Spend some creative time with like-minded crafters in the run-up to the Christmas festivities. This workshop is perfect for anyone who enjoys crafting or is looking to add a personal touch to their holiday décor.
During this relaxed 2 hour workshop you will be taught how to make simple folded paper baubles – choose from a range of Japanese origami papers and other craft papers to make your own beautiful decorations with unique pattern – combinations and in different shapes & sizes. Learn new skills and make beautiful decorations for your Christmas tree, and beyond!
No experience necessary and all materials and equipment will be provided. Workshop numbers are limited to 10 people.
The workshop will take place in the Jan Molby Room which is a light and airy community space on Floor 2 of the John Lewis store, in Liverpool One.
You will go home with a set of unique paper Christmas decorations for your home or to gift to a loved one, plus the skills to make many more!
An opportunity for all young people and adults over 16 to escape the hectic nature of daily life and enjoy the focus that detailed observational drawing can offer.
These creative sessions are guided by local artist Laura Kate. A selection of materials will be provided and participants can choose to create their own piece to take home or simply enjoy trying out different techniques.
This is not about artistic skill, but about the mindful benefits of deep concentration. We particularly welcome anyone who is brand new to the world of sketching and has always seen themselves as ‘hopeless at art’!
Sessions from early morning to twilight will offer different sensory opportunities, ranging from quiet sessions to sessions accompanied by live music, with the repertoire will be selected to reflect the time of day and techniques used. During the afternoon and evening sessions there will be a live performance by harpist Elinor Nicholson.
Participants are encouraged to visit the the free exhibition Dawn to Dusk: Birds by Jim Moir and the day is inspired by Jim’s deep understanding of the natural world through intense observation.
Image Credit: Pete Carr
Come along and take part in a fun, inclusive pottery workshop as part of Homotopia 2025! You’ll be guided through a range of hand-building techniques to create your own unique pottery piece. No experience is necessary, this workshop is suitable for all levels. It’s a space that celebrates queer joy, creativity, and body positivity.
The workshop will be led by Ben Saunders (he/him), a Manchester-based queer illustrator, ceramicist, and events curator. You can explore his work on Instagram or by visiting Ben’s website.
Free, booking required
Join Imogen, at Make North Docks for a cosy & relaxing winter workshop creating your very own string of fabric fairy lanterns!
When : Sunday 23rd November, 11am – 1pm
Where: Make North Docks, 34 Regent Street, Liverpool, L3 7BN
In this hands-on 2 hour workshop, you will make a string of 10 fabric fairy lanterns to add a twinkle to your home or gift to a loved one. You’ll learn how to craft a beautiful string of battery-powered fairy lanterns using fabrics, lampshade PVC and LED lights. Imogen will be supplying an array of gorgeous vintage and modern silk and cotton fabrics, including Liberty tana lawn fabrics, and fabrics upcycled from vintage silk scarves and kimono’s, from which you can choose your own unique selections to create your bespoke set of fairy lanterns. There will also be Christmassy fabrics available for those who wish to make festive fairy lanterns!
Let your creativity shine as you choose your fabrics and design a unique string of lanterns to light up any space. This in-person event is suitable for age 16+, so bring your friends and family along for a fun and crafty time. Maximum of ten participants per session. All equipment and materials are provided and no prior experience is necessary.
If you wish to make your fairy lanterns more eco-friendly, there is an option to purchase a rechargeable battery pack with charger at the special price of £8 (plug-in battery charger with 4 x AA Duracell rechargeable batteries) at the checkout when you purchase your ticket, to power your fairy lanterns for years to come! Limited stocks available.
Come join us for a spooktacular event where families can get creative with Lego printing! Let your imagination run wild as you design and print your very own spooky Lego printed posters. It’s a hands-on experience that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. Suitable for ages 8+
During the 2-hour session, you’ll use premade paper ornament outlines as the base for your cyanotype ornaments. There will be a variety of festive textures and shapes to use to create your ornament patterns, which will then be exposed and dried. You’ll then assemble your paper ornaments and complete them with a ribbon hanger.
Sat 29 Nov, 11am-1pm & 2-4pm£25 (all materials included)
Get into the festive spirit by learning how to create your very own seasonal wreath using fresh foliage and decorations. You’ll be guided by artist and professional upcycler Gemma Longworth, who will lead you through the process step by step, ensuring you go home with a beautiful wreath, ready to adorn your home.Come alone or with friends for an afternoon of merriment and creativity—this workshop is perfect for both beginners and seasoned crafters. Book now to reserve your spot!
£60 (all materials included)
During this simplified, beginner friendly day course you will learn how to turn a treasured image into a UV stencil screen. Once you have your screen made, you’ll be talked through some fun and easy screen techniques to add colour to your prints. You’ll finish the workshop by using our screen-beds to ink and print your one-of-a-kind artwork onto paper in a small edition that you can take home with you.
£70 (all materials included)
Over two days, you’ll learn how to create your own photopolymer prints using pre-prepared solar plates and film positives.
Beginning with a short introduction to exposing test plates using a UV light unit, covers how to accurately measure exposure times. Working together to expose, develop, and cure your own A5 plates. Day two is focused on inking and printing using a traditional etching press. Experiment with proofing blacks and a selection of water soluble coloured inks.
This course is ideal for intermediate learners with some experience in printmaking and basic digital editing skills. All materials and equipment provided, including 2 x pre-cut film positives and two A5 plates. Pre-course communication with tutor Bev Hayes to help you prepare your digital images for film positives. By the end of the course, you’ll have explored every step of this alternative printmaking process and produced a small edition of prints from your two small plates.
Guest Tutor Bev Hayes is a UK-born artist and printmaker based in Sweden, working from a print studio in Gothenburg. She has over five years of experience with photopolymer gravure and regularly teaches short courses. Bev also exhibits her work at art fairs and galleries both locally and internationally.
£125 (for two sessions, all materials included)
