Experience Forms – An Immersive Life Drawing Experience

Step into an otherworldly life drawing experience.
Experience Forms invites you to connect, let go of perfection, and lose yourself in an atmospheric space of experimentation.
Interpret a life model dressed and draped in ethereal garments, posing within a still-life scene. As you draw, enjoy nurturing refreshments chosen to awaken the senses and deepen your experience.

Experience Forms is designed for all abilities, encouraging connection, exploration, and self-expression.
Some materials are provided, though you are welcome to bring your own.
Founded by multidisciplinary Artist Laura May Page, who draws on her background in fashion communication, image-making, and archival garments to create experimental spaces that nurture connection and inspire creative liberation.

Join us for the inaugural event and become a part of our evolving journey.

POP3 – Climate Conference

Future Yard is proud to host our latest annual climate conference. POP3 powered by Ecotricity Business is a day of debate, conversation and collaboration, exploring the power of culture in the quest for climate justice.

With panels featuring industry experts, interactive roundtable discussions and opportunities to connect with leading figures from across the UK, POP3 is the sustainability conference for the grassroots and community culture sector.

Coinciding with the UN-convened COP Climate Conference, this interactive day will see venue owners, business leaders, creatives, academics and sector professionals collaborate through workshops and panels to help shape a greener future for our industry. People in attendance will range from nationally significant arts organisations and major players in the green transition, to local artists and businesses passionate about sustainability.

Sustainability is at the heart of Future Yard’s mission. This is the third such event we have held, alongside the publication of our own Sustainability Roadmap. In 2024, we announced our intention to achieve operational net zero by 2030 and net zero by 2035. At this year’s event, we will be updating our Roadmap to outline how we intend to achieve this.

The daytime conference runs between 11am and 6pm, and takes place in Future Yard’s Live Room and workshop spaces. Delegate and audience tickets are now available.
The conference will be followed by an evening live show headlined by Anna B Savage. Doors for this event open at 8pm, tickets available separately.

Paper Christmas Baubles Workshop

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!

Crafty Companions

Join us for a series of fun and engaging adult craft workshops. Learn new skills like wet felting, braid making, knitting, appliqué, button making, and mending. Our experienced tutor will guide you through each session, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, relax, and have fun.
Sessions take place on the last Thursday of the month: 25 September / 30 October / 27 November
The workshops are held in the community rooms at Southport Library. Each session accommodates 10-12 attendees, so space is limited.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at the library counter and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call Southport Library at 0151 934 2118 for more information, ticket reservations cannot be made over the phone. Be sure to visit the library in person to secure your spot!

Dawn to Dusk: the art of being present in nature

 

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

Get Your Hands Dirty! A Queer Pottery Workshop

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

Black Maternal Health: Honouring our Ancestors

 

Part of the Diasporic strand of Radical Retrospectives

From 26 September 2025, Collective Encounters will present an exhibition of previously unseen creative material produced in our Black Maternal Health project at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre.

This powerful installation revisits and reflects on themes of migration through the lens of Black maternal health. Created in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University, the work draws a striking connection between historical research into enslaved midwives in the 19th century and the stark, ongoing disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates between Black women and women of other racial and ethnic groups today.

The exhibition also features our ‘Hey Mama’ leaflet, designed by Black women, for Black women on maternity wards, offering peer-informed guidance and support. Visitors will have the opportunity to sign up to join our Black Maternal Health Group, which meets to discuss, plan and lead future initiatives and interventions.

Honouring our Ancestors: family friendly drop in event

On Monday 27 October, 11am – 2pm, we will be hosting a family friendly drop in event alongside the installation, led by local Black mothers. This will include an exclusive opportunity to see the original Shrine to Granny Marie, on loan from the International Slavery Museum.

Interactive creative activities will invite everyone to celebrate the achievements of their ancestors and to reflect on the legacies, strengths and qualities passed down to future generations.

You are invited to bring images, memories, stories or poems about any ancestors that you or your family would like to acknowledge.

There is no need to book for this event, just turn up any time between 11am and 2pm. If you have any access requirements or want to ask any questions in advance, please email admin@collective-encounters.org.uk 

 

 

Fabric Fairy Lantern workshop

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.

Halloween Lego printing

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+

 

Festive Cyanotype Ornaments

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)