Special Events at Flo
See what’s on when you’d like to visit or scroll through events below for inspiration!
The Geology of Iron Making
Iron production dominated the West Coast of Cumberland for a century, made possible by easy access to all the necessary minerals. In this session Mike James, amateur geologist and professional chemist, will talk through our local geology and have samples to see and handle.
Free event but donations towards the cost of running activities for local people, are always appreciated. Part of a series of special events celebrating the heritage of Florence Mine.
You can also explore the Florence Mine exhibition, created by local people who have lent photos and objects to display. Refreshments available in the cafe.
Florence is wheelchair accessible, with an access toilet and is also dog friendly.
Life at Flo - Drawing the Human Figure
Come along to meet members of Flo's friendly local artist network and practice drawing from our life model. We'll welcome you with hot drinks and biscuits to help the inspiration flow!
The session will not be tutored so you will need to work independently and bring your own materials (including boards/easels if required). Come along from 6:15 to get settled in.
We do not want the fee to be a barrier to taking part. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss before booking.
Florence Paintmakers - Demonstration of Paintmaking Practice
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods and Cumbrian minerals to create high quality artist materials.
We will talk you through the method of processing rocks into earth pigments and the different techniques we use to create our watercolour paints and chalk pastels. There will be time for questions at the end. Please feel free to explore the site before/afterwards - we have a shop, galleries, a cosy cafe and wildlife garden.
The Iron Ore Railways
Peter Rooke from The West Cumberland Railway Museum in St Bees will share what he has learned about the growth and decline of the railways which served the iron ore mines of this area. He will bring also along relevant items from his collection to discuss.
Free event but donations towards the cost of running activities for local people, are always appreciated. Part of a series of special events celebrating the heritage of Florence Mine.
You can also explore the Florence Mine exhibition, created by local people who have lent photos and objects to display. Refreshments available in the cafe.
Florence is wheelchair accessible, with an access toilet and is also dog friendly.
Believe! - Romany Magic Show
Come see a quirky, funny, beautiful, original and theatrical magic show!
Come hear a story of making dreams come true!
Come see classical magic and funny magic and sit so near you can reach out and touch the sparkle!
Romany - Diva of Magic, winner of the Las Vegas World Magic Awards and cruise-ship headliner, has hung up her world-travelling heels for a while to bring you her magical one-woman show up-close and personal!
Author of best-selling memoir, Spun Into Gold - The Secret Life of a Female Magician, Romany will unveil the secrets of a professional travelling performer - within reason!
Suitable for all the family but created for adults.
(Children under 8 will probably not be very entertained.)
Spun Into Gold - The Secret Life of a Female Magician - www.romanyromany.com
TICKETS £12 Adult £6 Under 18 £25 family ticket (up to 2 adults and 2 children)
https://thekirkgate.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873654873/events/129519823
Mosaic Jewellery
Make unique beautiful pieces of jewellery using vintage china and coloured glass with Cumbrian artist Helen Clues.
This workshop includes all materials, use of equipment and tuition to make yourself some unique beautiful pieces of jewellery using vintage china and coloured glass - or give them as a special gift! You will learn how to cut and shape the materials, design and construct your items using mosaic techniques.
Fee includes coffee on arrival. Workshops are based in our Garden Studio and include time to relax and explore the arts centre and wildlife garden, learn about the Florence Mine site and enjoy our Fair-trade coffee and teas.
Helen is an experienced and well known artist living and working in West Cumbria. She trained in Art & Design in Carlisle in the 1990’s where her passion for materials and processes began. Inspiration for her work comes from the materials themselves, her mosaics are decorative and functional, using found and traditional materials. She runs workshops and supplies galleries as well as selling on line https://helenclues-artist.co.uk/
This session is suitable for beginners aged 18+ with reasonable mobility and strength in their hands. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Tom Kitching and Marit Fält
We're delighted to be hosting top folk musicians Tom and Marit on tour to launch Tom's new album and book "Where There's Brass"
Author and musician Tom Kitching launches his new book and album, 'Where There's Brass', with a special storytelling and music concert tour. http://www.tomkitching.co.uk/wheres-there-brass/
Documenting six months living in the London waterways community, making the long journey across England from Manchester on a traditional narrowboat built in 1937, 'Where There's Brass' tells the story of the contemporary London waterways; a floating slum at worst, a bohemian, alternative, vibrant community at best.
It is a love letter to the waterways, and a rallying cry for what they can be in the future.
Stories old and new interwoven with a specially composed suite of music, underpinned by Tom's long term accompanist, the brilliant Nordic mandola player Marit Fält.This tour builds on the success of his previous work, most recently 'Seasons of Change', the stories and music from 18 months busking around England.
"I'm devouring the book, not just reading it. The lad is one of the best fiddlers I've ever heard - he breathes life into the tunes. I didn't know he was also a very fine writer indeed. I've been a sucker for these books about these islands. Busking for his keep, with his feet on the pavement of the high streets and his hand sending music into the air, Tom is a wise and witty guide to England pre-Covid19." - Mike Harding, on Seasons of Change.
Tom’s debut solo album ‘Interloper’ was listed at #6 in the Sunday Express albums of the year 2015. "There are dozens of folk violinists, but few with the attack, passion, and ingenuity of Tom Kitching. The most beautiful instrumental playing of the year."
Artist Network
All welcome to network and discuss support for artists in West Cumbria.
A chance for artists to network and discuss how we can, together, give more support to local creatives and help the cultural scene in West Cumbria to flourish. We have made a start with 2 free resident artist studios, life drawing classes and a crit group as well as network emails and free social studio time... what's working? What shall we do next?
A warm welcome to all, with a cuppa and biscuits to get the conversation flowing and a chance to see the latest exhibition and hear the latest news from Flo and partners.
Painting with Gouache
In this workshop Clare will share her expertise in creating captivating artwork with gouache painting techniques. Learn to mix, blend and layer colours and texture to bring your ideas to life on the page. All materials provided - including a mount to frame your picture plus tea and coffee on arrival.
Sales end 12 April - don't delay!
Gouache is a medium that can be difficult to master, in this workshop Clare will help you work through an introductory project with a group to really learn about the properties that make gouache so much fun to work with. You will learn how to use these paints and gather tips and tricks to set yourself up to paint regularly with gouache. You can create a fun and playful image full of colour and texture, learning about highlights and shadows and how to layer in ways that use the qualities of the paint in new and different ways. At the end of the two-hour workshop you will feel confident to work with gouache in future and have your own piece of art with a mount pack ready for you to take away and frame.
Clare Parker is a multimedia artist working from her studio based in Low Mill, West Cumbria. Her work is inspired by all the beauty that surrounds her and a gratitude for life, and she aims to share her passion for art through creating and teaching, one piece at a time. www.lowmillstudio.com
The workshop is suitable for those 18+ with reasonable dexterity in their hands. The centre is accessible by wheelchair and has an access toilet.
Creative Writing ‘Rhythms of Life’
Enjoy the process of creative activity in a group with an experienced practitioner and take away three or four unique pieces of writing.
Enjoy the process of creative activity in a group with an experienced practitioner and take away three or four unique pieces that you may decide to share with the group.
Research shows how writing has positive effects on health and wellbeing.
We will be taking inspiration from the rhythms of the year.
No experience necessary although all is valued. Paper and pens provided but feel free to bring your own. Tea and Coffee provided.
Annie’s original degree was in Drama Education. She has delivered a wide variety of
Community creative Education through the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association)
around Cumbria and beyond, with a special interest in mental health. Her most recent
freelance work is facilitating Creative Writing in Community and Recovery settings.
Her aim is to develop writing practice in individuals, through the enjoyable experience
of Writing as a creative activity in a group.
Annie lives in Cleator Moor.
Suitable for those aged 19+ years. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet.
Willow Dragonfly Workshop
Experienced local basket maker, Helen Elvin, will guide you through the process of making a delicate decoration for the garden using willow wands. They look lovely in amongst your flowers on a cane so they sway in the breeze! Final size about 80-100 cm long
The workshop will be relaxed and informative and all materials and tools are supplied as well as welcome teas and coffees. You will work at your own pace and each person's dragonfly will be different!
Bookigs close 5 April so don't delay!
Helen is an experienced willow weaver and teacher who began basket weaving 20 years ago when working for the Groundwork Trust on environmental education projects. As well as willow work, Helen also restores local woodland, improving the woodland for wildlife and producing resources for her beautiful garden furniture and hurdles. https://elvincrafts.co.uk/
Please bring your own lunch to share during the break. Snacks and drinks are available from the centre.
No experience is necessary, but you’ll need some strength and dexterity in your hands.
Ceramic Nature & Name Plaque 8yrs +
Work with Steph from @checkoutmyplummage to create a unique plaque using impressed seed heads and leaves from the wildlife garden and letters to spell out... what ever you want! Could be a gift, a decoration for your room or your favourite lyric or saying.
The session is for children aged 8+ years with reasonable dexterity in their hands. Adults must remain in the building during the session and can take advantage of our cafe, exhibitions and wildlife garden. All materials supplied but if you'd like to bring something special to impress on your plaque, please do so. £10 per participant.
The plaques will take several weeks to dry and fire and we will notify you when they are ready to collect. We cannot post them to you I'm afraid.
Family Spring Wreath Making
Work with Helen from the wonderful @Helen'sHerbs to chose foliage and flowers to celebrate the coming of Spring!
Helen will supply all materials and we'll supply a welcome drink and biscuits :-) You can also explore our Spring Fling family activities taking place around the site.
Tickets are £35 and 1 Ticket is for 1 Child (8+ years) and 1 adult working together on one wreath in our Pottery Studio. Most children will need assistance to create a quality piece, so please come ready to work together.
You will need reasonable dexterity in your hands to complete the wreath. The centre is wheelchair accessible and has an access toilet.
Florence Paintmakers - Demonstration of Paintmaking Practice
Come and join us for a demonstration of our paintmaking practice. We use traditional methods to create high quality artist materials.
We will talk you through the method of processing rocks into earth pigments and the different techniques we use to create our watercolour paints and chalk pastels. There will be time for questions at the end. Please feel free to explore the site before/afterwards - we have a shop, galleries, a cosy cafe and wildlife garden.
Mining Plans
Part of a series of special events celebrating the heritage of Florence Mine.
Join CATMHS https://www.catmhs.org.uk/ member and FAC volunteer, Bob Mayow, to take a look at a fascinating collection of plans relating to the mines of the local area.
Free event but donations towards the cost of running activities for local people, are always appreciated
You can also explore the Florence Mine exhibition, created by local people who have lent photos and objects to display. Refreshments available in the cafe.
Florence is wheelchair accessible, with an access toilet and is also dog friendly.