Arc Creative Wellbeing Centre

Calling all budding ceramicists! There's one spot available on our Friday morning hand building course starting next week!
Book here: https://ow.ly/Xy5a50TgczE

Do you know a young person with mental health issues, experiencing life challenges or with additional needs?

On Wednesday October 16th we're running a showcase event for people to find out about local creative groups offering youth focused opportunities that improve wellbeing through creativity, as well as support services for young people (11+) and / or their adults.

Drop in with or without your young person, stay for as long as you like, meet local groups and find out about the services that they run, the support they provide or the activities that you can get involved in. We'll be running a free drop-in creative session for young people as part of the event.

Groups attending on the day so far include: Beacon Counselling, Signpost for Young Carers, Proud Trust, NK Theatre, Marbury Road Edible Garden, SPACE (ADHD) and Rising Stars.

For details and to book your free space visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1000001881547

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Celebrate 'Heritage Open Days' with us - come along and explore everything that the Hat Works building - a vibrant space for arts, heritage, culture and better wellbeing - has to offer, plus make your own arty hat to wear at our free drop in activity!

☕ Hat Works Cafe: the cafe will be open serving snacks, drinks and delicious hot food.
✏️ Creativity Corner: free art activities for all ages to enjoy.
👒 You can book a Hat Works Museum factory tour tour via the Stockport Council website or the Hat Works Museum page, or browse the Gallery of Hats from 10:00-16:00.
🖼️ ‘Made to Make a Difference’: a showcase of art, homewares, jewellery and more, handmade by incredible artists on our ‘Enterprise’ programme.
🖌️ Find out more about what 'arts and health' means through exhibitions of colourful artwork by participants of our adult wellbeing programmes.
🦸🏽 ‘FOILED’: an installation of miniature tin foil superheroes made by volunteer Luke Gooddy.

No need to book Arc’s activities, so drop in any time, we’re open from 11:00-15:00 on Saturday September 14th.

www.arc-centre.org/visit-us

Explore print and pattern to create an original design using found tools and homemade natural inks led by contemporary textile artist Wendy Roby. You'll make striking and unique monoprints on fabric in session 1 of this lovely natural dye print and stitch workshop, and in session 2 you'll embellish your print with simple, modern embroidery to add texture and depth.

For details and bookings visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/906797494717

We're excited to launch 'Arc in the Park', a series of opportunities to get outdoors (but not far from our lovely warm cafe and gallery space!) AND get creative!
AitP kicks off with a new programme of Photography for Wellbeing Walks round Viaduct Park led by local artist & photographer Rae Story, which has just gone Live.

Photography is a great way to take notice, connect and feel better. Whether you’re a budding photographer or have never made a photo before, join us to experience the wellbeing benefits of photography and connecting with nature!
Each month Rae will guide you through the park focusing on prompts as you walk, talk and capture your natural surroundings in the heart of Stockport. She'll be on hand to help and discuss technique and your ideas.

Book your space at eventbrite.co.uk/e/1008656888907

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Try something new, connect with others and take some time out for yourself this autumn at our relaxing and inspiring workshops led by incredible local creatives.

Classes are suitable for ages 14+. For full details and to book your space visit
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/arc-centre-and-gallery-11092050622

Some classes are almost sold out...

Passionate local artists will guide you through:

✏️ Drawing: Understanding Perspective
🪡 Stitch and Print with Natural Inks
🗿 Pottery Handbuilding
⚙️ Pottery Wheel
🎩 Fun Paper Top Hats for Kids
✂️ Paper Quilling
🖼 Needle Felt Landscapes
🐝 Glass Fusing // Screen Printing
🔨 Textured Silver Earring Making
🖌 Fun with Watercolours
🏙 Stopfordian Ceramic Tiles

Did you know that being creative can make you feel better?
We're running two showcases to find out more about what groups and services are on offer around Stockport to use creativity to improve you mental health.

For details and to book your free space visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/stockport-arts-and-health-week-1099159

Our wonderful Arc volunteers are at the Underbank Street Party in Stockport today until 4pm. Come and see us and take part in a craft activity.

Would you like to perfect drawing perspective? Come along to two sessions with local artist and experienced tutor Andy Fear who will explore various creative exercises to help you to master this skill!

Details and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/913839678077

Don't forget there is no Saturday Art Club this weekend 🙁 But we have got a fun top hat-making session coming up! It'll be a fun workshop, something a bit different for the kids led by artist-tutor Andy Fear. They'll construct and decorate fantastical hats using card, patterned paper and stick-on motifs. There are 2 sessions, one suitable for ages 5-8 and one for 9+.

Details and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/913865635717

Twist, fold and curl! No it's not aerobics; explore techniques with coiling papers to produce a beautiful quilled paper artwork.

Details and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/913887150067

Explore dry needle felting techniques to produce a beautiful countryside landscape, led by mixed media artist Nicola Partington. You'll experiment with different fibres including merino wool, curly locks, Angelina fibres and silk to create a landscape of your choice.

For details and bookings visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/913832436417

Are you a new mum living in Stockport who is struggling with your mental health? We have a few spaces left on an upcoming programme 'Creative Mums'. No art experience is necessary to join.

One mum said of the programme recently, “I enjoyed how art makes you calm and gives you a happy feeling, I'm going to carry on when my baby's in bed.”

For more information or to make a referral for yourself or someone you work with visit https://arc-centre.org/adult-wellbeing-programmes/creative-mums/

Inspired by our town's architecture and design, Arc's resident potter Sharon Giles will show you how to make a unique Stopfordian tile!

Choosing from a range of template designs or going freestyle, you will then roll, cut, place and paint the clay in a relief style.
Suitable for anyone over the age of 14, and all levels of experience.

Details and bookings at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/914588748567

We're really look forward to being part of this event for young people next Wednesday. If you're interested, here's the link to sign up: https://forms.gle/QAU4pLiPVCWmMv8x9

Do you want to know how you can enjoy the great outdoors in Stockport even more? Whatever the weather, Stockport's outdoor spaces are easily accessible, ready and waiting for you to enjoy. Whether walking through one of the many parks or wandering along the canal paths, strolling through woods or meandering through fields or simply sitting on a bench taking in the view and people watching, whichever is your preference, take time to breathe in Stockport's great outdoors...

Check out One Stockport's new campaign at https://www.onestockport.co.uk/outdoors/

Only a few days left to support Arc and buy low cost uniform! The Merseyway Shopping Centre Uniform shop (next to Specsavers) is open for the last day on Saturday 17th August.
We are so grateful for their support. All proceeds will go to Arc and Chelwood Foodbank Plus - Fighting SK Poverty

Our friends Cartwheel Arts Cartwheel Arts are recruiting a new Managing Director who will lead on the fundraising, finance, equality, diversity & inclusion & operations of this thriving creative organisation based in Rochdale. Working alongside the team and Creative Director/CEO H**e Reilly, this is an exciting opportunity to join.

The closing date is 24/09.
Full job pack and information can be found here: https://www.cartwheelarts.org.uk/make-a-difference/jobs/

For an informal chat about the role, please contact [email protected]

Jobs Cartwheel Arts co-creates inclusive arts opportunities with diverse communities that enhance well-being and celebrate culture and heritage.

A message from Jacqui Wood, Arc's CEO:
Everyone at Arc is so sad to hear that Claire Mooney has died this week. As many people are saying, she was a one-off, an incredible singer & songwriter, dedicated to inspiring and motivating others with her infectious enthusiasm, positive outlook, inclusive ethos and an amazing person to know. I can say that she changed the lives of so many of our participants at Arc. I first worked with her when we were both freelance, back in the mid 90s, in Oldham and Tameside. When I started to work for MAPS (which became Arc) she joined me on some ridiculously brilliant projects - we made epic silent films with bonkers soundtracks, we wrote and recorded our own radio soap opera and she encouraged many many people to write and perform their own music. She was instrumental in starting our Young People's Arc programme which continues today (using some intrumments she gave me just a few weeks ago), and ran some amazing partnership projects for us with Signpost Young Carers and others. She was easily the best facilitator I ever worked with. Her legacy is in the work we do now. This picture shows her after performing a song she wrote for Arc, about Arc, at the relaunch of our centre in Reddish in 2016.
Away from that, she and I were friends - she supported me professionally and personally. And I will miss her.
All at Arc send their love to her family and friends. What a woman....

Back by popular demand! Have fun with two techniques in this exciting workshop learning and combining glass fusing and screen printing. Artist Chan Foy will guide you through the process of making a unique piece of glass art including a print of your choice. There are lots of pre-made screens to chose from, ranging from a bumble bee, ornate cat, koi, dandelions, a mandala seed design and even memes!

You'll make one piece of printed glass for your home or as a gift for somebody special, and if time allows you can also make a smaller fused item. No experience is necessary, complete beginners and those wanting to progress are welcome.

Details and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/913901151947

If you'd like to know more about how Luke Gooddy makes his intricate foil sculptures as seen in his installation 'FOILED!', that is now open in Hat Works Cafe, come & meet him on Thursday! Self-taught artist Luke will demo his techniques and answer any questions you have about his creative process!

https://arc-centre.org/visit-us

Find out what it feels like to make something from a lump of clay! Spend a few Friday mornings relaxing in our lovely space at Hat Works and exploring ceramics, led by our resident potter. Our Handbuilding + Throwing Taster 6-week Class has a few spaces left and starts Friday 13th September. Lucky for you :)

Details and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/910592004197

The Merseyway Shopping Centre Uniform shop opens on Saturday and they're raising funds for us!
Drop in to buy low cost uniform between Saturday 10th and 17th August. The uniform shop (next to Specsavers) has been hugely popular in previous years, helping to make the new school year more affordable for local families.
We are so grateful for their support. Proceeds will go to Arc and Chelwood Foodbank Plus - Fighting SK Poverty

After great feedback from our Art Spa, we're running a workshop this autumn that's fun to do with friends!
A guided watercolour session for anyone who would like to enjoy painting in a friendly and relaxed studio setting,
creating two or more pieces to take home; a watercolour circle decorated with doodles and zentangles and a graded sky piece, topped with a contrasting scene.

Details and bookings via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/912027407527

We're excited to have Zoe Leavy back at Arc with her lovely jewellery workshops! One is guiding you through making two pairs of beautiful textured silver earrings, hoops and studs, using silver sheet, wire and a variety of hammers and stamps to add texture.

Details and bookings at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/913829136547

Ready to start or reignite a creative hobby? Photography can be a great way to take notice, connect and feel better. Whether you’re a budding or pro tog or have never taken a photo before, why not join us at Arc for a relaxed photo walk and experience the wellbeing benefits of photography. As part of our affordable art series, sessions are just £5 each!

Monthly from Thursday January 11th, local artist Rae Story will guide you to focus on a prompt as you walk, talk and capture your surroundings in the heart of Stockport. She'll be on hand to help get the images you want to take or discuss ideas and techniques. Meeting at Arc at Hat Works at 10:30, the walk lasts about an hour before the group returns to Hat Works Cafe and exhibition space to share images and discuss their experiences.

For details and to book visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/680029595827

Hat Works is starting 2024 with a full frontage of lovely new signage!
Exciting things to come for Arc and Hat Works Museum :) Hat Works Cafe opens again on Thurs Jan 11th, come & say hello! It's lovely & warm, welcoming & we served hot food from 12:00-15:00 on Thursdays & Fridays.