Regular community arts activities
We work across County Durham delivering a range of arts development projects with people of all ages and backgrounds. Working in partnership with artists and community groups we hold regular events in communities across the county giving everybody the opportunity to access and enjoy the arts.
Artful Age
Artful Age aims to provide support for people to live happier, healthier, independent lives and grow to see themselves as active and valued member of their community.
Covering the East Durham area, groups provide a safe and friendly environment welcoming people living with mental and physical health conditions, cognitive impairments or facing social isolation.
Led by experienced professional artists, activities range from singing and dancing, to arts and crafts and working with wood.
Weekly activities
| Activity | About the activity | Date and time | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craft and Chat Café | Activities are led by Michelle Douglas-Allison with a crafting focus including shabby chic, upcycling, model making, textile craft and more. | Tuesday 10.00am to 12 noon | Free Tea and coffee are included | The Art Café Community House Yoden Road Peterlee SR8 5DP 0191 569 3511 |
| East Durham Dementia Friendly Choir | The choir is led by musician and songwriter Bethany Elan Coyle. | Thursday 1.00pm to 3.00pm | £2 Tea, coffee and cake included | St Andrews Church Hall Hesleden Road Blackhall TS27 4LE 07812 753 991 |
| Let's Meet Up Art Group | Led by artist Jane Wilson, activities include painting, printmaking, collage and drawing, as well as two dimensional and three dimensional crafts. It's an adventure of discovery every week. | Friday 1.00pm to 3.00pm | Free Tea and coffee included | The Art Café Community House Yoden Road Peterlee SR8 5DP 0191 569 3511 |
| The Lodge Open Art Studio (for ages 16 and over) | Activities are led by professional artist Carrie Dennison. The sessions offer a range of creative art and craft activities promoting wellbeing and social engagement in a friendly and supportive setting. | Wednesday 1.00pm to 3.00pm | Suggested donation £3 Tea, coffee and biscuits included | The Lodge Blackhill and Consett Park Laburnum Avenue Blackhill Consett DH8 5SZ |
| The Venue Open Art Studio (for ages 16 and over) | Activities led by various professional artists. The sessions offer a range of creative art and craft activities promoting wellbeing and social engagement in a friendly and supportive setting. | Friday 10.00am to 12 noon | Suggested donation £3 Tea, coffee and biscuits included | |
| Silver Singers | Singing led by Sofia Castro, all abilities welcome. | Monday 10.00am to 12 noon Term time only | Suggested donation £4 Tea, coffee and biscuits included | The Masonic Hall Scott Street Stanley DH9 8AD |
| Art for the Curious | With artist Jayne Blacklock. A series of adult workshops looking at using a range of mediums and techniques to create your own artwork. From pencil, charcoal, soft pastel and paint, you'll be taught how to use each one to explore a range of subjects, giving you confidence and skills to then produce your own work. Sessions are currently full, but we have a short waiting list for new participants. | Thursday 10.00am to 12 noon | Pay what you decide | Bishop Auckland Town Hall |
| Bishop Busy Hands | A welcoming, friendly crafting group for adults to socialise while being creative. Explore different craft mediums, often led by different visiting artists. This is an informal group setting, no experience is needed, just a happy, chatty group where everyone is welcome. Supported by Northern Heartlands. | Thursday 1.00pm to 3.00pm | £2.50 Refreshments and craft materials included | Bishop Auckland Town Hall |
| Pen to Paper | Come along and join the writers and the yet-to-write, putting pen to paper to scribe ideas, stories, memoirs and passions in poetry and prose, in story and play, to delight and excite, to entertain and provoke. Spend the evening giving voice to your imagination. Led by writer David Napthine you will laugh, discuss, inspire and as Picasso said "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist." | Wednesday 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Free | Bishop Auckland Town Hall |
| Tea Dance | A friendly afternoon session of popular sequence dancing to recorded music. No experience necessary. | Tuesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm | £3 Tea and coffee included | Bishop Auckland Town Hall |
| Forget Me Notes Choir | Get ready to sing songs from around the world from folk to rock, blues and jazz to classic pop. No prior experience is required. We are open to all who wish to create, enjoy and participate in a dementia-friendly, supportive and positive space to explore and share music! These sessions are Dementia Friendly. | Thursday 10.00am to 12 noon | Free | Ushaw Historic House and Gardens Contact: dementiafriendlychoirs@gmail.com |
Fortnightly Activities
| Activity | About the activity | Date and time | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance to a Tea | Led by dancer and choreographer Perter Kerry-Forbes, Dance to a Tea offers a fun way to learn new dances and make friends over a spot of afternoon tea. Pre-booking is required. | Fortnightly on Tuesday 2.00pm to 4.00pm | Free Afternoon tea included | Eastlea Community Centre Stockton Road Seaham SR7 8DX 0191 581 2399 |
| Dance to a Tea | Led by dancer and choreographer Perter Kerry-Forbes, Dance to a Tea offers a fun way to learn new dances and make friends over a spot of afternoon tea. Pre-booking is required. | Fortnightly on Wednesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm. | Free Afternoon tea included | The Pavilion 1 Helford Road Peterlee SR8 1ER To book call 0191 586 9957 |
| Working with Wood | Led by professional sculptor David Gross, participants will learn wood carving and joinery skills to create seats, decorative gates and sculptures for a new community garden. | Fortnightly on Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm | Free Hot meal included | Dawdon Youth & Community Centre Queen Alexandra Road Seaham SR7 7NH 07368 424 939 |
- Email communityarts@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 0792 029 5261
- Email communityarts@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 0778 602 7469
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