Our Pick - 5 Creative Things to Try at Boom Studios in the New Year
Whether it’s a new year’s resolution to be more creative, or just a wish to try something new in 2024, we have all the art and craft classes you need right here in Bangor! Why not finally explore that business idea, or volunteer in the community?
Here are Boom Studios’ “5 things to try” in 2024:
1 Sharpen up Your Drawing Skills
Drawing is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your art practice. Learn to really see and draw from life, finally master proportions or shading, and practice mark-making techniques. It has so many applications from field-sketchbooking or nature journaling, to effectively composing paintings, mindfulness, creating a portfolio of figurative work, illustration, the list is almost endless.
Lots of our classes incorporate drawing in one way or another but particularly Life Drawing, running year-round, or join a sketch walk, back in March. Check out our special one-off still life drawing class in Søstrene Grene Bangor on 18th January - it includes a 20% discount private shop, which comes highly recommended in itself!
2 Express Yourself Through Creativity
We think creativity is one of the best ways to relax, learn problem solving skills, or feel a sense of accomplishment. It is also therapeutic, allowing for a wide range of expressive techniques. Each and every one of our art and craft classes covers this in some way but some top picks include Abstract Art, Art Journaling (teens or adults classes) and oil painting.
Many of our classes also have a great social element - find your tribe here and get stuck in!
3 Get that Business Idea Rolling
Trade is our monthly membership programme, offering artists, designers and makers the support to launch or develop their business. Designed by creatives for creatives, jump in to our 12-month cycle of professional development and work through tailored content, attend our monthly meetups, avail of the coworking space, and more.
Why not start now - the sessions begin again on 3rd January with a 6-week website bootcamp, taking your through the nuts and bolts of planning your revamped/new website, to choosing a platform, design and getting everything up and running.
Read more about how Boom can support your creative business here
4 Make Your Own Gifts & Homeware
Time and funds are precious right now - why not feed 2 birds with one scone (that’s totally the saying isn’t it?) and take part in a fun, skilled craft workshop that results in practical items you can keep or gift? Not only do you have the actual item in your hand - you have the skill to replicate it in the future!
Classes that come to mind for this are Macrame and Jewellery/Metalsmithing, but of course all sorts of artwork can make a wonderful gift/decor too.
Why not check out Threadquarters sewing school and fabric shop - across the street in Boom 2. Susanna has a great array of classes for different ages and abilities.
5 Volunteer in Your Community
In 2023 we started to grow our volunteer programme. We have a central volunteer pool that you can sign up to, and once a quarter we compile all our volunteering opportunities for the coming 3 months and send them out to you to browse. If something takes your fancy, simply tick the dates on the form and we’ll be in touch to confirm.
Roles may include helping with community art programmes, assisting in the workshop, light renovation work/clean-up days, assembling art packs, helping at outside events such as markets or festivals, exhibition stewarding - anything really! Volunteers are a valued part of the Boom team and we design our roles carefully to lend skills and provide support to those involved.
We hope you have a restful festive season and hope to see you at Boom Studios in 2024! If you have a query about an art or craft class in Bangor, or want to hire a Boom artist to come to your business/private event, please contact marianne@boomstudios.org.uk
For volunteering queries, please contact jenni@boomstudios.org.uk