Try something new at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery this spring and summer

If you want to learn a new skill, brush up on your history or create something beautiful, look no further than the new range of adult courses, talks and workshops available at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

Art tutor Angela Gladwell is inviting budding artists to join her Oil Painting for Beginners class from 15 April. This five-week course will guide students through the basic techniques of oil painting, encouraging them to create a finished painting to take away and display with pride. Classes run from 1pm-3.30pm and cost £65.

Local artist Amanda Hillier draws her inspiration from the Shropshire countryside and will be hosting her popular lino printing workshop in the museum’s beautifully-lit education room on Saturday 14 May. Participants will have the opportunity to take the inspiration for their design from the museum’s fine art and natural history collections. Examples of Amanda’s exceptional work can be seen at http://amandahillier.co.uk/. The class is suitable for people with no experience of working with lino. It takes place between 10am and 4pm and costs £45 (all materials are provided).

If you have ever marvelled at the beautiful embroidered hangings on the museum’s Corbet bed, join the embroidery class on Friday 1 July and meet the ladies behind the project. Learn about the embroidery patterns, fabrics and silks of the Tudor period, master the techniques of the embroidery and produce your own embroidered slip. You will need to bring your own basic sewing equipment and a small embroidery frame if you have one. The class runs between 10am and 3.30pm and costs £25

Literature lovers are being invited to join award winning novelist Lisa Blower in the first museum book club meeting on Thursday 17 March between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Come along for a coffee in stop. café and a chat with Lisa and other reading enthusiasts. The first novel under discussion is Mary Webb’s Shropshire based classic ‘Gone to Earth’.

Fay Bailey, activities and learning officer with Shropshire Council, said:

“Shropshire museums’ wonderful collection of objects are a fantastic resource for encouraging creativity. We have an exciting programme of courses on offer and look forward to welcoming adult learners to be inspired in our wonderful museum.”

For further details and to book, call 01743 258881/258884 or email museumeducation@shropshire.gov.uk.