Florence Arts Centre

We are a participatory arts centre located at the site of an old iron ore mine in Egremont. Come on over to explore, make, do, or just relax in the cafe or garden.

Free entry to gallery, cafe and garden:

Thursday: 11am - 4pm Friday: 11am - 4pm
Saturday: 11am - 3pm
Sunday: 11am - 3pm

We are open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for events and pre-booked visits and courses. Please get in touch if you would like to visit outside of our normal opening hours.

What’s on highlights

World Building: Mapping Your Fantasy with Ruth Waterhouse - £5

Map your own exciting fantasy world with artist Ruth Waterhouse using some intriguing techniques, pens, paints, dip pens and more.
One of the workshop’s intriguing techniques involves spreading rice across the page to help create the shapes and locations of landmarks. This playful approach allows participants to discover unexpected forms and use them as inspiration, creating landscapes that can develop organically rather than being planned from the outset.
Participants will be encouraged to build a world around their map, thinking about the places, people and stories that might inhabit it. Where are the hidden ruins? Where does the great river lead? Which mountains are impossible to cross, and what might be waiting on the other side? The map can become anything from a magical kingdom or forgotten civilisation to an alien planet, mysterious island or entirely new world.

Step into a world of fantasy adventure with an introduction to roleplay, storytelling and tabletop fantasy gaming. This one-hour interactive workshop will give participants the opportunity to experience the basics of a fantasy roleplaying game in a relaxed and welcoming environment, whether they are completely new to the format or already have some experience with tabletop games.
Led by experienced Dungeons & Dragons players and Game Masters, participants will be guided through a self-contained fantasy quest. Working together as a party of adventurers, they will explore a fantastical world, encounter challenges, make decisions and help shape the direction of the story through their choices.
The session will introduce some of the fundamental elements of fantasy roleplay, including creating and understanding a character, working as part of a group, interacting with the game world, problem-solving and using dice to determine the outcomes of actions. The Game Masters will guide participants through the rules and storytelling, making the session accessible without requiring any previous knowledge or experience of Dungeons & Dragons.

Introduction to Table-top Roleplaying Games - £5

All Events

Scraper Board from Scratch with Clare Parker- £35

Discover the striking art of scraperboard in this relaxed,beginner-friendly workshop. Clare will guide you through simple mark-making, shading and design techniques using scraperboards and tools. Create your own bold black-and-white artwork to take home, while building confidence, creativity and practical skills in this accessible introduction.
Explore the dramatic effects of scraperboard art in this hands-on workshop for beginners. Clare will introduce the scraperboard surface and tools, then guide participants through simple mark-making techniques including lines, textures, highlights, shading and contrast. You will learn how to plan a small design, transfer or sketch your image, and carefully scratch away the dark surface to reveal bright marks underneath. The session will include time to experiment, practise techniques and develop your own finished black-and-white artwork. All materials are provided, including scraperboards, tools, paper, pencils, tracing paper and chalk. Participants will take home their completed scraperboard piece, along with new confidence and practical skills to continue exploring this striking technique.

Regular Events

Our Next Session will be on September 17th!

Free, artist led sessions to relax, socialise and create!

Thursdays 1pm - 3pm during term time. No need to book, just drop in.

Make Space

Free have-a-go, relaxed painting and drawing sessions on Thursdays 11-12:30 during term time.

No booking or materials required (although you’re free to bring your own if you like) just show up! Our local volunteer artist, Tom Higgins, will share his skills if you’d like to have a go.

Free sessions for independent crafters 11am - 1pm on Saturday

Happens Monthly. Check back or check Facebook for the next dates!

No booking required, just show up with something to do! Our regular craft cafe visitors will be able to share their skills if you’d like to learn something new such as knitting or crochet.

Craft Café

Brush N’ Brew

Gallery

Exhibitions

Shop

Shop Paintmaker Artist Materials

Our on site shop has a range of unique artisan, handmade gifts and cards from our associated artists. Plus our beautifully crafted Paintmaker Artist Materials, made at Florence with local pigments.

Pop into our shop and say hello, or buy Paintmaker Artist Materials online.

Florence

Paintmakers

Learn More

Paintmaking Demonstrations

Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.

Join Nikki and Dave in the paintmaking studio at florence arts centre. The Arts centre is on the site of the former iron ore (haematite) mine. Learn more about how we process the iron ore to create our signature egremont red colour in this demonstration.

Join us for our monthly onsite paintmaking demonstrations, open to all.

£6 per person.

Discover the craft of paintmaking and enjoy a friendly, hands-on experience.

Check back soon for the next date.

Group Bookings for Paintmaking Demonstrations

Book a private 1.5-hour session for up to 8 people, including a hot drink and informal discussion.
£96 per group booking.
To find out more or make a booking, please email or call us.

florence@florenceartscentre.com | (01946) 824946

Café

Enjoy a cafetière of Fair Trade coffee, a mug of Cumbrian Tea, local baking, sweet treats and snacks, soft drinks or a beer from the Ennerdale brewery. Our cafe is dog-friendly and always warm and welcoming.

Open Friday 11-4pm, Saturday 11- 3pm and Sunday 11-3pm.