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

Expressive Ink and Watercolour Card Designs with Rachel Metcalfe- £18

Come along and have fun experimenting with watercolour and ink to produce a series of cards.
Learn to create stunning watercolour and ink greeting cards in this hands-on, beginner-friendly course. You will learn basic watercolour techniques like colour blending using wet-in-wet washes, and layering. Then, discover how to bring your designs to life using ink and watercolour detail. By the end of the session, you will possess a series of personalised, hand-painted cards.

Wednesdays 1pm - Young Creatives and Family Films
Thursdays - 10:30am - 12:30 Family Playdays

Summer Holiday Activities - £4 - £8

All Events

Start a Sketchbook with Clare Parker- £25

In this workshop Clare will share her expertise in creating a captivating design sketchbook, perfect as reference for future projects, discovering a relaxing hobby or just for the joy of taking your doodling to the next level.
Start a design sketchbook using pigment pens and paint. Learn to plan a design, choose a striking colour palette and bring your ideas to life on the page. In this workshop Clare will help you work through an introductory design, including how to choose and use colour and share tips that set you up to work in your sketchbook regularly. At the end of the one hour workshop you will have your own sketchbook to take away and the confidence to carry on filling the pages with style!

Regular Events

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.