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
Halloween Mug Painting - £25
-
Get into the spooky spirit with a fun and creative Halloween Mug Painting Workshop! Choose your own mug and let your imagination run wild as you paint it with your favourite Halloween designs — from cute pumpkins and friendly ghosts to creepy cats and spooky patterns. Perfect for beginners, this relaxed workshop is a great way to spend some crafty time with friends, family or little ones. Your finished mug will be glazed and fired for you, ready to enjoy your favourite Halloween hot chocolate or cosy autumn drink!
Price includes all firing and material costs.
We will contact you when it is time to pick up your finished mug. Collection time estimated in 6 weeks.
-
Florence Arts Centre has commissioned four regionally significant artists to create new artworks that celebrate the colours, qualities and heritage of the paintmaker products.
October 29th Schedule of Events and Booking Info:
1:30pm - Mining Heritage Tour - Free
Find out about the last working deep iron ore site in Western Europe and one of the last visible remains of the once huge iron industry in West Cumbria.
1:30pm - Printing Workshop for Families - Free
Discover the joys of linocut printing with Jack from Market Place Print Studio in this creative workshop for families.
1:30pm - Hand Tinting Photographs - Free
Join artist Alistair Debling for a workshop using Florence Paintmakers' watercolours to hand tint black and white photographs.
Drop in, no booking required.
1:30pm - Puddle Painting for Families- Free
Did you know that you can paint using mud!?
Drop in, no booking required.
3:00pm - Paintmaker Demo - Free
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.
3:30pm - Printing Workshop 16+ Years - Free
Discover the joys of linocut printing with Jack from Market Place Print Studio.
4:00pm - Mining Heritage Tour - Free
Find out about the last working deep iron ore site in Western Europe and one of the last visible remains of the once huge iron industry in West Cumbria.
5:00pm - Paintmaker Demo - Free
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.
5:00pm - 7:00pm - Refreshments Served.
6:00pm - Artist Discussion Panel
Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an accessible toilet.
Ground 5: Celebrating Florence Paintmakers OPEN DAY - FREE
Craftmas at Florence - FREE Entry
-
Join us for a brand new festive event called Craftmas! Cumbrian artists and local entrepreneurs will take over Florence to sell their locally produced goods and wares. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies whilst you find unique gifts for yourself or another!
If you’re not in the shopping mood, then stop by our free drop in craft station or listen to some live instrumental carol songs while you enjoy some Truly Scrumptious made food!
Book onto our ceramic workshop to create a ceramic keepsake happening the same day from 12pm - 2pm. More info here.
Free Entry!
Saturday 7th November 11am - 4pm
Regular Events
Our Next Sessions will run every Thursday from September 17th to October 22nd!
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
Our next sessions will be on 26th September, 24th October, and 28th November.
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
Shop
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
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.
Coffee Stop
Cafe & Shop
Workshops
Get creative and be inspired with workshops, artist talks and demonstrations.
Wildlife
Garden
Visit our wildlife garden
Maintained with the help of our gardening group of volunteers and partners and students from Lakes College