Everyone can make art! Join our free family Scribble and Sketch sessions across Bristol

One of the great things about art is that absolutely everyone can have a go. So why not join one of our free Scribble and Sketch family sessions at a Bristol venue near you?

Want to unlock your inner artist? The RWA’s free drop-in Scribble and Sketch sessions are designed for children and grown-ups to take part in together, create and have fun. The workshops are led by a professional artist, and take place every Saturday, rotating between venues in Hartcliffe, Easton, Redcliffe, Southmead and at the RWA in Clifton.

No pre-booking is required and all ages are welcome. Here, the RWA’s Head of Learning and Engagement Helen Jacobs tells us what makes Scribble and Sketch special…

Helen Jacobs helps a young artist 

 

How did Scribble and Sketch start?

It came out of the outreach and engagement activity plan from a funded exhibition at the RWA called Jamaican Pulse in 2016. The then Learning and Participation Manager Joel Edwards set up Scribble and Sketch in Easton Community Centre and Redcliffe Children’s Centre, and then monthly at the RWA gallery itself.

Since October 2021 we’ve also been running sessions at Greenway Centre, Southmead and Hartcliffe Nursery and Children’s Centre.

 

What makes Scribble and Sketch so special? 

They are run by artists who are not only brilliant at making their own work, but also really friendly, warm and encouraging. They are all great facilitators who are passionate about sharing art skills and techniques in a really accessible way. 

The sessions are free for all the family to enjoy together. You don’t need to book, you can just turn up to these drop-in art workshops that run on monthly Saturdays.

 

What have you learned from the sessions?

As we’ve watched participant numbers grow as more people get to know about the workshops running nearest to them, that bringing art and an artist directly to communities is one of the best ways the RWA can share our best resource, which is our artists and exhibitions.

We learned how welcoming the community spaces are, and much more about what else goes on there – we are just one small part of all the amazing work that these community centres do.

And we’ve learned that there are so many creative families across Bristol! 

 

What is the future of Scribble and Sketch ? 

We love running ‘Scribble and Sketch Specials’ when we get additional project funding and can bring in extra visitors or materials. A great example of this was a recent session in which Bristol University Earth Sciences students worked with the Scribble and Sketch artists, looking at bones and stones and making field notebooks to do observational drawing in. The added excitement of new materials or objects and experts is fun and engaging for families, especially those who attend regularly.

When we get further funding in the next few years, the Learning team is keen to establish two more Scribble and Sketch sessions at other venues in parts of the city where we do not already work in the community. We will listen to our community partners and respond - knowing this will benefit families in the area by bringing high quality arts processes and materials along with loads of fun and friendly artists to help families get creative together.

 

 

Come and create! We’d love to see you at a session… See all upcoming dates and venues for Scribble and Sketch here.

 

 

Photos: Lisa Whiting 2022