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Unlock Your Creativity with*FREE Online Art Courses with Artspace!

Are you passionate about art or just starting your creative journey? Now’s your chance to learn from expert instructors — all from the comfort of your home. See below for a list of courses we offer.

Artspace’s funded ‘Distance Learning’ programme has been designed to enable home learning. Courses are 8 weeks long and are delivered on ZOOM. Artspace will send a package of art materials directly to your home and you can participate in a weekly zoom workshop and receive follow up support via telephone and/or email.

These fun, creative courses are designed to help inspire learners to develop skills, confidence and independence, and encourage ongoing learning opportunities.

COURSE COSTS

*These courses offer FREE places for Gloucestershire residents over 19 years old, on low wage brackets or not currently in employment and with fewer than 5 GCSE’s (level 2) including Maths and English.

If you are not eligible for a free or subsidised space, or if the course does not advertise these options, you are very welcome to join our courses. We offer full fee and concession tickets. *Concession tickets are available to learners with a disabling barrier or those in receipt of means-tested benefits.

How to book or enquire:

Our courses are very popular so early booking is recommended. Please follow the links below to book onto a course directly. Alternatively, call us on 01594 825111 or drop into Artspace between 9:30-4:30 Monday – Friday

Proof of eligibility when accessing free courses or concessionary tickets, will be required on enrolment. As these courses are popular, we do ask that eligible FREE learners are available for the whole course.

Paint Like The Pros, with Cherry Lyne

Starts Wednesday 1st October / 8 weeks with half-term break

4:00pm – 5:00pm (on Zoom)

*FREE for eligible learners

Cost: £55/ *£40 concessions

A fun, creative and supportive course for all abilities, where we will explore the techniques and ideas behind famous art works.

This term we will look at artists such as Hopper, Dali, and others, and have a go at working in their styles.

A mix of art history, painting and some surprises!

Drawn In- Playful Drawing (Online),
with Nicky Payne

Starts Wednesday 1st October / 8 weeks with half term break

7:00pm – 8:00pm (on Zoom)

*FREE for eligible learners

Cost: £55/ *£40 concessions

An inclusive course for creatives of all abilities to develop individual styles and skills at their own pace. In this class we will explore drawing and a wide range of materials and techniques making connections with artists that use similar materials. Join in with group discussion and set tasks alongside supported independent work with experienced artists/tutors.

Be ready to have fun and share ideas.

Hoarding Group

Group Rules:

1. Confidentiality. What is said in the group, stays in the group!

(Unless something of a criminal nature is disclosed where we have a duty to report)

2. Always be respectful.

3. Listen without interrupting. We value everybody’s input – but also understand that some people may not feel confident in speaking within a group setting.

3. Do not judge.

4. Be supportive and encouraging

5. Only share what you feel comfortable with sharing.

6. Please refrain from using any offensive language!

We aim to provide a confidential safe space for people with hoarding behaviours to support each other. We can offer practical advice, empathy and understanding - however it is your lived experience that will provide a unique insight and understanding of this complex issue affecting approximately 2.5% - 6% of the population.

Welcome to the Coleford Hoarding Support Group

‘Pedal Eazy’ by borrowing an e-bike

^{Residents are being invited to borrow an e-bike for up to three months in a new scheme to promote sustainable travel in Gloucestershire.}

^{https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershire-county-council-news/news-november-2024/pedal-eazy-by-borrowing-an-e-bike/}

Appeal Launched for Imjin Memorial to Honour Brave Glorious Glosters from the Forest of Dean

Coleford, 21 October 2024: An appeal has been launched to raise funds for a memorial to commemorate local veterans who fought with 1^st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Glorious Glosters) in the famousBattle of the Imjin River in Korea, 22 – 25 April 1951. The Imjin Veterans’ Memorial will honour fifteen men associated with the Forest of Dean to recognise their bravery in battle and unwavering camaraderie and spirit to survive over two and a half years in the inhumane conditions of the prisoner of war camps in North Korea. The list of names will include Roy Mills from Cinderford, who sadly, passed away this month, and veterans from Coalway, Coleford, Dymock, Littledean, Mitcheldean, Newnham, Ruardean and Ruspidge.

The Battle of the Imjin River is widely recognised as one of the most fierce and intense military actions involving British Forces and is revered to this day in the Republic of Korea for saving Seoul, the country’s capital, from communist occupation.

The memorial is being overseen by the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Steering Group, which was formed following aForest of Dean District Council motion on the 70th Anniversary of the battle. The group comprises Cllr Julia Gooch, Chair; Roger Deeks DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant; Anny Reid, Royal British Legion Trustee and National Memorial Trustees Chair; and Andrew Gardiner, author and veteran engagement representative.

“Following the70^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Imjin River, it became clear that we need a place where the actions and bravery of our veterans - who were just young national servicemen in April 1951 - can be remembered for future generations,” said Roger Deeks DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant. “Sadly, the recent loss of Roy, whom we all remember with so much respect and fondness, has added an extra degree of poignancy to the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Appeal.”

Julia Gooch, Chair of the group and District Councillor, “I hope everyone who loves the Forest, and its rich history will dig as deep as they can into their pockets and help raise the £18,000, we need to make this brilliant and much-deserved memorial a reality.”

The walk-through memorial, which has been designed by Andrew Gardiner, will be built by local company,Grail Engineering, and installed in theCyril Hart Arboretum, near Speech House, Coleford. The design was inspired by the ‘freedom archway’ through which the veterans passed when they were released from captivity in 1953. Also featured are three plaques to bear the names of the veterans, commemorate Forest of Dean freedoms and rights, and honour the special relationship between Gloucestershire and the Republic of Korea. It is hoped the location of the memorial will make it a popular place for remembrance and an excellent option for school educational visits.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the appeal can do so by visiting theImjin Veterans’ Memorial page on the Forest of Dean District Council website fdean.gov.uk/ImjinVeteranMemorial orJustGivingjustgiving.com/crowdfunding/Imjinmemorial.The names of all donors will be recorded.