The Conservatoire Adult Open Day

We are very pleased to announce our Adults Open Day on Saturday 22nd February, 1-5pm. Come along to try out a selection of our fantastic courses, to learn new skills and techniques in art or sing together in our choir! Or if you fancy taking up or rediscovering an instrument, have a trial lesson with our wonderful tutors, who are all practising professional musicians.

Places are free but limited, so please book ahead here. 

How To Draw (1.45 - 2.15pm or 2.30 - 3pm)

How To Draw covers: different drawing materials and their qualities; using charcoal and rubber; drawing with pencil, line and measuring techniques; hatching with a pencil and other ways to shade and create tone; ways to create a feeling of space in landscape and cityscape using perspective, angles and ellipses; drawing the figure: drawing a self-portrait in pencil; using different types of pen and inks and drawing in colour with soft pastels. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. By the end of this course, you will feel confident about working at home to develop your own style. This class takes place on Mondays 14.00 - 16.00 or Tuesdays 19.00 - 21.00

Printmaking (1.45 - 2.15pm or 2.30 - 3pm)

Our Printmaking course covers a full introduction to lino, mono, photo transfer and dry point printmaking techniques working with full instruction from a professional printmaker. This course can be taken as a standalone course but studying for more than one term allows students to specialise in one or two techniques, to fully explore the process and develop their artwork further. Suitable for complete beginners or those with some knowledge of printmaking. This course takes place on Wednesdays 19.00 - 21.00

Colour Studio (3.15 - 3.45pm or 4 - 4.30pm)

Colour Studio sets out to embrace the contribution and enjoyment of colour as a key element in visual art. We will explore colour mixing techniques and colour relationships, looking at the work of different artists to generate ideas. The sessions will provide the opportunity to develop drawings with a range of media including pastel, pen and ink; painting with acrylic, watercolour and oil as well as collage and mixed media work. Suitable for those drawing or painting for the first time or if you are returning to improve and develop your practice. This course takes place on Wednesdays 19.15 - 21.30

Life Drawing (3.15 - 3.45pm or 4 - 4.30pm)

Set in our stunning Victorian art building, our Life Drawing course is designed for both beginners, as well as those for whom life drawing is already established in their artistic practice. We draw from both male and female models and each evening have poses varying from one minute to two hours. This course is a wonderful opportunity to explore drawing in a variety of mediums from the live model with tuition and guidance tailored to suit each individual according to their needs. All of this comes together to help you build confidence in line, tone and proportion. Basic materials provided. This course takes place on Mondays 19.30 - 22.00

Choir (1 - 1.30pm) 

We have various choirs and opportunities to sing together and solo, join us to meet new friends and enjoy an afternoon of singing!

Individual Tuition with Helen Chenaf or Ben Goodman-Church (1 - 5pm, 20 minute slots)

Fancy taking up or rediscovering an instrument? Have a 20 minute trial lesson with our wonderful tutors, who are all practising professional musicians.

Helen Chenaf teaches piano and singing at the Conservatoire for all levels.

Ben Goodman-Church teaches;

• Piano (classical and jazz all standards)
• Singing (all standards)
• Guitar (jazz – all standards, conventional lower grades)
• Trumpet (up to grade 5)
• Violin (beginner)

You can choose from the above instruments and tutors. You can bring your own instrument if you have one (although maybe don't bring your piano), but we will provide instruments for all learners.

Places are free but limited, so please book ahead here.