A summaryJoin us at Gainsborough Community Library for a variety of creative workshops throughout the winter holidays for 10-16 year olds! Workshops are 9:45am - 3:30pm and include lunch, drinks and snacks.
Free places are available for those eligible for benefit related free school meals. Unsure if you’re eligible? For guidance visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
For more information on each workshop and our brilliant artists, please visit our website:
suffolkcommunitylibraries.co.uk/blank-page
If your booking is made within 72 hours of the workshop, we may not be able to accommodate specific dietary requirements. Please get in touch with the library location for the workshop to discuss options.
Library: Gainsborough Library, Clapgate Lane, Ipswich, IP3 0RL
31 March
Easter themed rag wreath making
Get creative and turn simple strips of fabric into a colourful egg-shaped rag wreath you can be proud of. Mix bright spring colours, bold patterns and wool to design something totally unique to you.
It’s hands-on, relaxing, and a brilliant way to show off your creativity without needing any sewing skills. You can make your wreath soft and pastel, wild and vibrant, or themed around your favourite colours. By the end, you’ll have an eye-catching piece of art that’s perfect to hang up and show everyone what you have created.
About Kelly:
My name is Kelly, and I run a small independent haberdashery in the heart of Debenham, Suffolk. My shop is more than just a place to buy fabric, yarn and buttons — it’s a creative space built on connection, colour and community.
1 April
Zine Making Workshop with Illustrator Lily Hammond
Explore zine making in this one-day workshop led by illustrator Lily Hammond! You will spend some time reflecting on what the students enjoy reading or learning about and then find those books in the library, look at story lines, scenes, characters etc that they could re-create in their zine
If the students are not big readers, we can focus on non-fiction books which can tie into hobbies like art fashion, nature, sports, history, science, etc and use these books to inform their zine.
A bit of book binding on making the zines and then create them with collage drawing lettering and print. Refining a front and back cover as well as the inside pages.
Then we will focus on the bookmarks with print making and encourage the students to borrow a book from the library and use their new bookmarks.
About Lily:
Lily is an illustrator working from her studio in rural Suffolk, having graduated with a first-class honours in illustration. Her practice spans the creative sector from working on a commission for Black History Month for the BBC to working in an East London studio. Lily has a real passion for colour and pattern that feeds into her love of interior décor. In addition to her decorative work lily creates bright portraits, often having inspirational women from minority ethnic backgrounds as her subject focus.
7 April
Making Key Chain Charms with Crocheter Clare Sams
Make your own unique accessories for your backpack! Textile artist Clare Sams will help you to create sensory keychains using beads, cords and ribbons, which you can carry everywhere. You will also have the opportunity to design and make a plushie bag charm, using fleecy fabrics and simple stitching techniques.
About Clare:
Clare is a textiles arts practitioner, lecturer and arts educator, and is Suffolk Libraries’ Environmentalist in Residence. She has a master’s degree in Academic Practice for Art Design and Communication and holds a Guinness World Record for the largest crochet hook.
As a freelance educator, Clare facilitates creative arts activities for all ages and abilities, using accessible techniques and sustainable materials in a range of cultural, community and educational settings.
10 April
Robots 101 Workshop with Programmer Steve Hubbard
Try something different! Why not come along and have a go at programming a real robot? Anyone, from Y1 to 101 can do it! You'll get to meet some really cool robots too.
We’re all about programming and using robots to learn and have a good time. We’ve brought together state of the art robots and want to promote STEM activities to Blank Page students.
To check out some of the robots you might be working with, visit the link below.
https://robotfun.co.uk/our-robots/
About Steve:
Steve is a fully qualified and experienced STEM ambassador based in Ipswich. He worked with the Education Team on their outreach and virtual robotics programmes, with primary and secondary school age children.
