Bumps and Brushes at Abbot Hall

Pregnancy is a time of change where taking moments to engage creatively can massively benefit the amount of mental as well as physical transition your body is going through. Abbot Hall is hosting an art workshop that gives people the opportunity to explore the hall while connecting with their baby and meeting other expecting parents. Join them for Bumps and Brushes, a relaxed and informal workshop where you’ll leave the outside world at the door and lose yourself in mindful artistic activity. 

The session starts with a calming guided tour of Abbot Hall, where a facilitator will be on hand to offer tips on observational drawing techniques. You’ll journey through the hall, taking time to sit, draw, chat and find objects or scenes you find particularly aesthetically striking. Once everyone in the group has a collection of sketches to work with you’ll move to the Hall’s creative space where they’ll be paints and materials available. With guidance and encouragement you’ll work into the sketches adding splashes of colour and texture letting you leave the session with art work you can be really proud of. 

All materials are provided and the sessions are designed to be enjoyable for everyone regardless of previous art experience. Being creative isn’t about making something devastatingly beautiful. It’s a lot more about enjoying the freedom and understanding your own thoughts and feelings better through the process of doing something with your hands. It’s a great way to help you feel connected to the things around you while your body and life are going through a serious transition. 

Pregnant people are welcome to attend the session for free and older siblings of bumps can be accommodated upon request. Partners wanting to join in will have to purchase an admission ticket for the hall on arrival. These can be bought on arrival or through the Abbot Hall’s website.

Bumps and Brushes run every second Friday of the month between 10:30am and 12pm, be sure to check the website for specific dates.