Children's Art Club (Summer)

Children’s Art Club is our artist-led creative programme for 5–12-year-olds that runs during school holidays. With a different Lead Artist each week, participants are introduced to different art forms and creative thinking that encourages them to fully express themselves in a joyful space. Art activities often connect to our outdoor spaces as well as inside and think about our themes of art, ecology and sustainability. Activity planned by the lead artist encourages thinking, playfulness and creativity by exploring different art forms and responding to the children’s interests.

During Week 1 of the Summer Art Club at Forgans Art Centre the children will explore the theme “The Garden and Me”, using the garden as a place of discovery, creativity, and connection. Through nature walks, observation, storytelling, drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, and imaginative play, they will celebrate the colours, textures, plants, insects, and wildlife around them while reflecting on their own place within the natural world. The programme focuses on the joy of creating, encouraging children to express themselves, share their ideas, and develop confidence through art inspired by nature. By slowing down, looking closely, and spending time outdoors, children will build a deeper appreciation of the garden and the many ways it supports both people and wildlife. All activities can be adapted to suit different ages, interests, and weather conditions.

Nicki is a home-educating mum of one and an Art and Design teacher with over 16 years of experience working with children and young people in schools, nurseries and the community. Before that Nicki trained as a Printed Textile Designer (screen printing) creating repeat patterns inspired by the natural world. Nicki is passionate about nurturing creativity, curiosity, and confidence through hands-on, process-led art experiences inspired by nature, imagination, and the world around us.

Day One

Join in and play ‘get to know you games’ and Nature bingo then create your own loose leaf A3 sketchbooks, through paper making and flower pressing. Explore paper making or make nature crowns.

Day Two

Collaborate on a mixed media garden drawing where we will do some rubbings with wax crayons perhaps for the earth (thinking also about what lives underground in the soil and the importance of soil), watercolour paints, oil pastel, markers, and pencil drawings for the vegetables and plants.

Day Three

Experiment with marbling and printing using found plants to print from then either a collagraph print or foam tile print on assorted colour paper. Combine these with joyous colourful paper cut outs inspired by Matisse. To explore our place in this colourful natural world we will explore movement drawing (and drawing to music).

Day Four

To celebrate the animals and creatures that we share the outdoors with we will make masks, head/body/legs drawings, clay/Modroc bugs or clothes peg animals which could lead to a cardboard town to explore the relationship between humans, urban spaces and the natural world.

Details

What: Art, play, nature and learning for 5-12 year olds. Each day, the visiting Lead Artist for the week will spark the children’s creativity, supported by a Creative Play Worker.

When: The club runs Monday-Thursday. Drop off is from 9am-9.30am. Pick up is at 3.30pm sharp.

Cost: The club costs £38.50 per day, this includes the provision of a wide range of art materials, refreshments and snack. A limited number of free low income places are available.

What do we need to bring?

Children will need to bring their own packed lunch, as well as and an outdoor coat and sunscreen. We hope to get outside into our beautiful grounds to explore as often as possible, so please pack raincoats, as well as dressing in suitable clothing and footwear. We might get a little messy indoors too so no favourite clothes!

Suitability

The club is for all children with a love of art and crafts. Whilst Art Club is a fun, safe, supportive environment, it can be busy and noisy. We’re not a registered childcare provider and as such don’t have additional support beyond our artists and play workers. If you would like to discuss accessibility and/or attend as a carer for your child please give us a call.

Low Income Places

If you receive benefits such as income-based Council Tax, are unemployed or unable to work, these tickets are for you. There are two free places available for each session. We ask that you select one session per week, per child, so that we can share these places amongst low income families.

Please note, our Universal credit ticket no longer exists. As Universal Credit has recently restructured, our free ticket criteria has been updated to make sure that these are reaching the families who cannot afford them otherwise.