Welcome to a World of Creative Possibilities.

Elmslie House is a thriving independent arts centre in the heart of Great Malvern. The twice-yearly Blue Magpie Contemporary Craft Fairs are a popular fixture in the Elmslie calendar and as they move into their seventh year, there’s an exciting new venture afoot.

Creativity will now be available all year round with the start of the new Elmslie Creates workshops. Designed to fit alongside the regular week-day art classes that already run at Elmslie House during term time, the workshops will also provide a link to makers who exhibit at the Blue Magpie fairs.

Beginning in March, leading makers from a range of art and craft disciplines will be hosting a range of weekend workshops at Elmslie House. From 3D textile sculpture, mixed media wirework, bookbinding and jewellery making, to experimental portraiture, watercolour painting and screen printing with hand cut stencils, there’s a vast array of workshops to choose from.

The Elmslie Creates workshops have been described as ‘like a spa day but with creativity at its heart’. Amanda Anderson, Liz Cooksey, Jo Dewar, Lucy Gell, Kathleen Murphy (of Murgatroyd & Bean) and Mariette Voke are just a few of the leading artists and makers who will be leading workshops in a programme that will run every second and fourth weekend of the month throughout 2022.

The day (or, in some cases, the weekend) of the workshops includes morning and afternoon refreshments as well as a two-course lunch, which will form part of the Elmslie Creates experience. Think freshly prepared, home cooked food, and mouth-watering cake!

Elmslie House was once part of Lawnside School for Girls so it seems fitting that its rooms will once again be used for teaching and be alive with the buzz of those who love art and craft, learning new skills and honing old favourites. With the demise of several key recreational course providers over recent years, the team at Elmslie are keen to support both local teachers and students alike to keep Malvern’s long tradition of arts and crafts learning alive.

For more details: Visit our creative workshop page here