Factory: Festival for Creative Arts

18-20 August 2023

at the old Cumberland Pencil factory Keswick

EVAN's weekend creative arts festival returns to the old Cumberland Pencil Factory Keswick for its second year with a fabulous array of arts and crafts, live music, and art workshops presented by Cumbrian artists, plus food and drink.

The Packing Hall of the old pencil factory will host the exhibition of arts and crafts, including paintings, photography, ceramics, textiles, glass, jewellery, and more, all handmade in Cumbria. Local musicians will perform outside under the canopy, where visitors can sit and relax whilst enjoying the live music and the refreshments offered by local caterers.

Enquires to: [email protected]

Over the weekend, local artists will offer a series of workshops:

Tickets for each workshop are £25 per person. The workshops are limited to 8 places and are suitable for ages 12+, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Venue: The old Cumberland Pencil Factory, Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5NG

Natalie Burns

Collage greetings cards with Natalie Burns

Friday 18 August, 10-12

Enjoy a creative morning learning the techniques of collage and take away a selection of fun, attractive and unique greetings cards that you can send to friends.

Book Here

Jane Firth

An Introduction to needle felted landscape with Jane Firth

Friday 18 August, 1-3

Learn the basics of needle felting and about the varieties of wool available in the UK. Take away one or more of your own creations and the skills to complete anything you have not finished. Come with an idea or a photo that you would like to try but nothing too complicated.

There is an additional fee of £10 for materials.

Book Here

Alison Marrs

Free-form landscapes & the village using acrylic paints with Alison Marrs

Saturday 19 August, 10-12

Explore painting the village landscape, playing with colour and shape and tone to develop depth and layers. Unusual tools such as card and string, and scratching through with your pallet knife or a paper clip, add to the fun of mark making!

There is an additional fee of £10 for materials.

Book Here

RD Glass

Fused Glass taster session with Roxanne Denny

Saturday 19 August, 1.30-3.30

Learn the basics of glass fusing and have fun being creative with hands-on instruction and the freedom to choose what you make. Use pre-cut pieces of glass in a range of shapes and colours to design and produce your choice of either a dish or wall-hanging. Please bring images for inspiration if possible. Your piece can be collected from the RD Glass studio near Cockermouth one week after the workshop, or it can be posted to you for a small fee.

There is an additional fee of £10 for materials. Suitable for ages 8+, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Book Here

Maggi Toner-Edgar

Drawing for Doubters with Maggi Toner-Edgar

Sunday 20 August, 10-12

Spend an enjoyable morning at the home of the drawing pencil, drawing a still life arrangement. Many of those who doubt they are creative usually can be. See how to get good results, whether you think you can't draw or you want to try alternative techniques to loosen up your style, and find your own personal style along the way. Please bring a sketchbook, minimum size A4, for your still-life sketch and larger sheets of paper if that is your preference. Paper will be provided for all the initial exercises. Some dry media provided - pencils, pastels, crayons, and graphite - but bring your own if you prefer.

Book Here

Old Cumberland Pencil Factory, Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5GN

Natalie Burns