News - ACAVA

News

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops return with four new courses in 2024

ACAVA’s programme of free creative courses returns in 2024 with four free courses in June, July, and August. Make and Reuse Creative Workshops inspire us to reuse materials, contribute to the circular economy and make our everyday more sustainable, running from our community makerspace Maxilla Men’s Shed.

Available Studios 18 July 2024

Open calls ending soon

Tinkering Sessions in September 2024

Barham Park Studios Open Day

Available Studios 4 July 2024

Young boy working with terracotta.

Wembley: free creative workshops for families this summer holiday

Close up photograph of two children placing dried petals and leaves on fabric during a natural dye workshop, around a table, outdoors.

North Kensington: free creative workshops for families this summer holiday

Blechynden Street Open Studios 2024

Meet ACAVA prize winner Pamela Storey

Available Studios 20 June 2024

How a West London shed beats social isolation and drives radical change

Six children in school uniform pose holding a large mosaic leaf, behind them the hoarding at the base of Grenfell Tower.

7 years on: Grenfell Memorial Community Mosaic

Tinkering Sessions in August 2024

Tinkering Sessions in July 2024

Available Studios 6 June 2024

Call for artists: ACAVA Hosts Three Counties Open Residency

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops return with four new courses in 2024

Photograph of five wooden Enzo Mari inspired chairs lined up against a graffiti decorated brick wall, behind a brick building.

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: An Introduction to Circular Carpentry, with Sasha Tishkov

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Leatherworking – Creative Thinking and Design, with Yusuf Osman

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: An Introduction to Contemporary Marquetry with Amber Bailey

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Street Finds (furniture modification) with Andy Healy

Available Studios 23 May 2024

Cultivate Create Open Afternoon on Saturday 15 June

Call for Artists: ACAVA Hosts Barham Park Studios Residency 2024

Photograph of an adult and children experimenting with tree stump prints, outdoors in a forest school garden.

Webinar: From recovery post-Grenfell to families and artists creating together

Close-up photograph of ACAVA's Project Assistant Maxi Himpe and a young family using colourful chalk to mark the tarmac, outdoors in a park.

We’re hiring: Project Assistant, Flourish

Tinkering Sessions in June 2024

Available Studios 9 May 2024

Wembley: free creative fun for families over the May half-term

North Kensington: free life-size collage-making workshops for families over May half-term

Available Studios 25 April 2024

Webinar: Unpacking public programming

Meet ACAVA prize winner Kite Myers

Maria Cabrera announced as this year’s community gardener at Maxilla Walk Studios

Photo of a blackboard fixed to metal railings depicting handmade drawings of flowers, smiley vegetables, and the text "Cultivate Create / Gardening sessions for local families in our secret garden!".

Cultivate Create returns for another year of gardening for families in West London

Available Studios 11 April 2024

Tinkering Sessions in May 2024

Wembley: free creative fun and zine-making for families over the spring break

Available Studios 28 March 2024

The Big Give: Double your donation 19-26 March

Available Studios 14 March 2024

Tinkering Sessions in April 2024

North Kensington: free large-scale creative play for families over the spring break

Meet Sasha Tishkov and Wojtek Kawczyk, Make and Reuse course facilitators

Webinar: Demystifying artist residencies

Available Studios 15 February 2024

We’re hiring: Community Gardener (freelance)

ACAVA artists at Hi! Stoke Presents

We’re hiring: Digital Communications Assistant

We’re hiring: Studios Technician

Available Studios 1 February 2024

Wembley: creative fun for families over the February half-term

Meet Honey Martin, ACAVA’s Assistant Facilitator

Webinar: How to price your artwork

We’re hiring: Senior Communications Manager (maternity cover)

Photograph taken inside a professional ceramics studio with kilns, a presser, materials stacked on shelves.

Available Studios 18 January 2024

North Kensington: creative fun for families over the February half-term

Image of families working creatively around a table, outdoors, in a park.

Gardening and art in our secret garden

Meet Yusuf Osman, Make and Reuse course facilitator

Meet Alice Burnhope, Make and Reuse course facilitator

Meet Candice Lau, Make and Reuse course facilitator

Meet Amber Bailey, Make and Reuse course facilitator

Tinkering Sessions in March 2024

Tinkering Sessions in February 2024

Tinkering Sessions in January 2024

Available Studios 7 December 2023

Meet Francesca Telling, artist-in-residence at Barham Park Studios

Available Studios 23 November 2023

Wembley: creative activities for families over the winter break

North Kensington: creative activities for families over the winter break

Image description: Photograph of an easel with a medium-sized monochrome painting and an A4 photocopy depicting a shark cartoon leaning against it, in an artist's studio.

ACAVA prize winner Bradley Sweeting in residence

Jack Rooney and Anna Reading in conversation during Unknown Journeys, Jack's end of residency exhibition

We’re hiring: Curator (Professional Development)

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: An Introduction to Circular Carpentry

Entrance to Maxilla Men's Shed, a red LED sign above a coat hanger, programme participants in the background working together on workbenches, carpentry tools and materials on shelves and walls.

Tinkering Sessions in December 2023

Available Studios 9 November 2023

Photograph of a bright indoor space, a converted nursery, bunting hanging from the ceiling

Available Studios 26 October 2023

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Introduction to Leathercraft

Close up of hands working together on a wooden DIY project, in a makerspace, indoors.

Tinkering Sessions in November 2023

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Leatherworking, Creative Thinking & Design

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Leathercraft

Available Studios 12 October 2023

Hand crafting tiles for the Natural History Museum’s new gardens

ACAVA at the National Theatre’s North Kensington Takeover Day

Available Studios 28 September 2023

Flourish: free creative half-term workshops in North Kensington

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Introduction to Contemporary Marquetry

Tinkering Sessions in October 2023

Free creative workshops in Wembley and North Kensington this autumn

Free art activities this autumn for Brent families

Free school holiday art workshops in North Kensington

Available Studios 14 September 2023

Available Studios 14 August 2023

Webinar: A practical guide to developing a socially engaged artistic practice

Webinar: Writing for Impact

Webinar: How to present yourself and your creative practice

Available Studios 31 August 2023

Men's Shed red LED sign

Tinkering Sessions in September 2023

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Sculptural Wearable Art & Accessories

Carousel slide projector on wooden stool projecting images altered by fungi and oil.

Francesca Telling announced as ACAVA’s artist-in-residence in Brent

Available Studios 17 August 2023

ACAVA Opens: Cannizaro Park Open Studios 2023

ACAVA Opens: Colville Road Open Studios 2023

ACAVA Opens: Hetley Road Open Studios 2023

ACAVA Opens: Hythe Road Open Studios 2023

Photograph of an artist working on a large painting in a studio bathed in natural light.

ACAVA Opens: September London Open Studios 2023

Photograph of colourful activity in a single-storey building under an urban flyover.

Available Studios 3 August 2023

Bradley Sweeting, Crocodile

Winners of ACAVA Hosts: Three Counties Open Residency 2023 announced

Photograph of a handmade quilted poncho in soft earthy colours, black trim and sewn-on soft-shaped pillows in the same tones.

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Sustainable Textile Techniques

Tinkering Sessions in August 2023

Street view of an old vicarage on a quiet British road

Available Studios 20 July 2023

Photograph of a child doing a creative textile activity in a street stall, with the help of an adult, other adults overseeing.

ACAVA Opens: Spode Works Open Studios 2023

Available Studios 6 July 2023

Photograph of colourful activity in a single-storey building under an urban flyover.

Tinkering Sessions in July 2023

Image description: Closeup of a child's face looking through a large piece of pink cellophane decorated with coloured tape and string, in an art exhibition.

Flourish: Shine – Free family art workshops this summer holiday

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Furniture Construction, Restoration & Modification

ACAVA Opens: Faroe Road Open Studios 2023

Available Studios 22 June 2023

Meet the Panel: Barham Park Studios Residency

ACAVA Opens: Blechynden Street Open Studios 2023

Available Studios 8 June 2023

Photograph of a woollen jumper mended with handmade patches and colourful stitches.

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: Repair, Restore and Recycle Textiles

Meet our artists: Mingzhang Sun

Photograph of two people working together in a community makerspace, walls lined with tools, other people working on workbenches

Tinkering Sessions in June 2023

Spode Works Studios communal area with sofas, ping pong table and shared gallery space.

Available Studios 25 May 2023

Jack Rooney and Anna Reading in conversation during Unknown Journeys, Jack's end of residency exhibition

ACAVA Hosts: Barham Park Studios Residency 2023 open call

Available Studios 11 May 2023

Photograph of a small cosy studio with a chair, lounge chair with rug and paintings hanging on the wall.

Five top tips… what to consider before taking on your first art studio?

Flourish: Unfold – free creative family workshops this May half term

Available Studios 27 April 2023

Entrance to Maxilla Men's Shed, a red LED sign above a coat hanger, programme participants in the background working together on workbenches, carpentry tools and materials on shelves and walls.

Tinkering Sessions in May 2023

Flat lay of small tree cookies weighing down a print on black ink made from a larger tree cookie, on white paper.

Five top tips… How to include the circular economy in your creative practice?

Photograph of artist Rosanna Clare in her leatherwork studio, hands on the workbench and smiling at the camera.

Meet our artists: Rosanna Clare

Available Studios 13 April 2023

Factory sessions in April 2023

Closeup of a person using carpentry tools in a bright makerspace, indoors.

Tinkering Sessions in April 2023

Available Studios 30 March 2023

Artist Jack Rooney holding up a large sheet of paper with paint splatters on and speaking to a group of children, outside of ACAVA Blechynden Street Studios with the Grenfell Tower in the background.

Project Assistant call out

Flat-lay photograph of a green print on white paper next to the tree cookie used to create it.

Make and Reuse Creative Workshops: callout for facilitators

Photograph of a child making a creative object from a ribbon and tree branch.

Flourish: Activate – free workshops for families this Easter

Available Studios 16 March 2023

A group of families walking in the woodlands towards a house on top of a hill.

Flourish: Breathe – free day trip to The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden this April

Portrait of artist Anna Reading smiling and posing next to her artwork

Meet Anna Reading, artist and ACAVA collaborator

Meet our artists: Mary Hennessy Jones

Closeup photograph of Florence drawing black lines on a yellow painted canvas taped to a board, using a black oil pastel crayon.

Meet our artists: by Ohne Titel (Florence Drake del Castillo)

Available Studios 2 March 2023

Cultivate Create open day: nature and art conversation and workshops

Tinkering Sessions in March 2023

Photograph taken inside a professional ceramics studio with kilns, a presser, materials stacked on shelves.

Factory sessions in March 2023

Photograph of a creative activity happening in a stall, outdoors on a sunny day.

Hi! Stoke Festival: Reuse, recycle and repair workshops

Available Studios 16 February 2023

Detail of an artist's studio, figurative sketches on the wall, comfy chair on the corner.

Five top tips… how to apply for an art studio?

Available Studios 2 February 2023

Photograph of an artist working at a desk in their studio, shelves and cabinets stocked with utensils and art materials.

Factory sessions in February 2023

A group o people posing for a photo, relaxed, while making bug hotels in a community makers space, outdoors, in a yard.

Tinkering Sessions in February 2023

Photo of an adult and a child looking at wall-based artworks in a show, in a bright gallery space.

Flourish exhibition: Garden of Delights

Photo of two children playing in the garden with two handmade black flags.

Flourish: Reveal

Photograph of an artist working on a table in their studio

Available Studios 19 January 2023

Hyper realistic painting of the dilapidated facade of an abandoned industrial site, a black sofa among weeds and debris.

Urban Landscape Drawing Workshop with artist-in-residence Mark Lippett

Hyper realistic painting of an abandoned industrial site, in cool colours

Artist-in-residence Mark Lippett presents Abandoned Spaces exhibition

Hyper realistic painting of the inside of an abandoned industrial site, in cool colours

ACAVA prize winner Mark Lippett in residence

Available Studios 5 January 2023

Spode Works Studios communal area with sofas, ping pong table and shared gallery space.

Factory sessions in January 2023

ACAVA 2022 Countdown: Celebrating our year in numbers

Limehouse Studios

Available Studios 22 December 2022

Shedder in the Maxilla Men Shed working with tools at a bench.

Tinkering Sessions in January 2023

Jess and Rachel posing outside Hadleigh Old Fire Station

Robyn Hood Pantomime at Hadleigh Old Fire Station

Available Studios 8 December 2022

Close-up of a black peg letter board displaying the Shed's opening times in December.

Tinkering Sessions in December 2022

Phil showing a large pointy stalagmite-style sculpture to peers in his Stoke studio.

ACAVA prize winner Phil Mellanby in residence

ACAVA wins CHWA’s Collective Power Award

Available Studios 24 November 2022

Photograph of a creative person working on a laptop, behind a large wooden table in a bright artists' studio.

Factory sessions in December 2022

Exhibition view of four large colourful abstract paintings in a bright and spacious art gallery.

Meet our artists: Chloe Fremantle

An adult and a child playing together to build a magic wand out of natural forest materials, standing around a table, outdoors in a creative setting.

Flourish: Evergreen

Available Studios 10 November 2022

Image description: Abstract geometric painting of two upright squares in a harlequin pattern standing against a landscape, mimicking a kite.

Meet our artists: Peter Blegvad

Detail of a painting depicting a tropical plant in green and yellow tones

Meet our artists: Susan Clare

Spode Works Open Studios 2022

Portrait of Frankie in a ceramics studio throwing a small clay ball in the air

Ardleigh Open Studios 2022

Meet our artists: Juliet Bryson

A group of children throwing paint balls and laughing, outdoors on a sunny day.

ACAVA joins Arts Council England National Portfolio 2023-2026

Photo from the hip of people dancing in a techno event, the room is bathed in a dark blue tone.

J D Rooney: Unknown Journey

Closeup photograph of a child smiling across a table whilst working on a circular mosaic, indoors.

ACAVA shortlisted for Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance Award

Poster for Eco Dyeing Workshop

Eco Dyeing Workshop

Steve Barlow posing next to one of his workbenches, in his wood carpentry studio at Spode Works Studios.

Meet our artists: Steve Barlow

Meet our artists: Terry Shave

A group of people painting a kiln-shaped wooden trellis, outdoors, against a building wall.

Meet our artists: Chris Parr

Poster for The Railway Children Return

Kingsway Community Cinema presents: The Railway Children Return

Various carving and other small carpentry tools fixed to a yellow wall in a community makerspace, indoors.

Tinkering Sessions in November 2022

Flyer with info above and a photograph of a child's hands creating a magic wand out of sticks, leaves and thread.

Cultivate Create winter sessions – Join today!

Miranda Donovan sitting on a lounge chair in a spacious artist's studio, large paintings stored vertically on the left, a large window at the back.

Meet our artists: Miranda Donovan

Large artist studio in use, colourful paintings hanging on the wall

Factory sessions in Oct/Nov 2022

Portrait of Amelia Tan sitting on a sofa, indoors.

Meet Amelia Tan, ACAVA’s Assistant Facilitator

Spode Works Studios communal area with sofas, ping pong table and shared gallery space.

Available Studios 13 October 2022

Flat lay of various hand shaped copper bowls and utensils

Skill Up: Coppersmithing

Black History Month: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Portrait of Amanda Jackson wearing a black turtle neck, one of her artworks blurred in the background.

Newsletter 5 October 2022

Word 'Capture' written on top of a photograph of a dreamy forest landscape in dark green tones, the outline of a group of dandelions occupying the foreground landscape.

Resident artist Evie Davis presents photography exhibition

Evie Davis posing next to her winning piece 'Trentham Haze', on top.

ACAVA prize winner Evie Davis in residence

Remembering Marisa Rueda

Artist's studio with colourful abstract watercolours on the wall, art materials in use on small tables.

Hythe Road Open Studios 2022

Painting by Amanda Jackson, Hadleigh Old Fire Station Studios

Meet our artists: Amanda Jackson

Close up of hands working together on a wooden DIY project, in a makerspace, indoors.

Tinkering Sessions in October 2022

Photograph of a creative activity taking place on top of a tree, outdoors

Flourish: Belong

Photograph of colourful activity in a single-storey building under an urban flyover.

Available Studios 29 September 2022

Close up of a busy artist's work table

Hadleigh Old Fire Station Open Studios 2022

Movie poster for an Elvis biopic

Kingsway Community Cinema presents: Elvis

Four children standing on a small foot bridge across a stream, poking sticks into the water.

Flourish: Breathe – free day trip to Wysing Arts Centre this October

Artist Ian Gouldstone working on small electronics on a table in his studio, lights off, his face illuminated by a table lamp and, behind him, colourful geometric light forms move around the walls illuminating the darkened studio.

Newsletter 21 September 2022

Photograph of a group of performers moving on stage, wearing contrasting black and white geometric patterned clothes, against a monochromatic backdrop in the same style

Meet our artists: Peut-Porter

Meet our artists: Ian Gouldstone

Eco Fair at Hadleigh Old Fire Station Studios

Produce displayed at a harvest festival

Heritage Open Day at Hadleigh Old Fire Station

Close-up photograph of a group o people showing the camera their individually hand-carved spoons

Skill Up: Spoon Carving

Photograph of Douglas Atkinson creating clothes in an artist's studio, sitting and smiling at the camera.

Newsletter 7 September 2022

Photograph of a modern textile/fashion artists studio

Borthwick Street Open Studios: Deptford Eggs

Close-up of Mattie smiling at a child, outdoors in a bright green space

Meet Mattie O’Callaghan, ACAVA’s Assistant Facilitator

Street view of an old vicarage on a quiet British road

Available Studios Newsletter: 1 September 2022

A group of children hold cucumbers freshly picked from a garden bed in an urban garden

Cultivate Create: free drop-in event

Spray-painted wooden flowers laid out on a work bench in the workshop.

Tinkering Sessions in September 2022

Artwork depicting two black and white posters with the title 'Blues' at the top, and verses by poet Philip Larkin below, in a contrasting layout.

Newsletter 24 August 2022

Photograph on aluminium depicting an eerie forest landscape in dark green tones, the outline of a group of dandelions occupying the foreground.

Newsletter 10 August 2022

Close up of a person using a backstrap loom to work on an orange and yellow tapestry piece, indoors

Skill Up: Weaving

Hyper realistic painting of an abandoned industrial site, in cool colours

Winners of Keele Uni/ACAVA’s artist prize in 2022 announced

Photograph of an artwork composed of a vintage boombox leaning against a wall, the tape from the cassette deck leaking onto the floor.

Newsletter 27 July 2022

Men's Shed red LED sign

Tinkering Sessions in August 2022

New: Available Studios

Closeup of a glass jar containing naturally dyed pieces of pink cloth, held by a person, outdoors in a green space.

Newsletter 13 July 2022

Child holding a paintbrush and painting a green stripe on a collaborative wall painting.

Flourish: Echo! – collaborative art workshops this Summer

Print by Michael Ward, showing print against wooden block used to create the piece

Skill Up: Printmaking

Bird's eye view of a group of people working together on a petal-shaped mosaic artwork, around a table, indoors

ACAVA Shoots exhibition and talk at The Photographers’ Gallery

Artist Talk: In Conversation with J D Rooney

Closeup of a table by a window in a quiet artist's studio, the window overlooking onto a green residential street.

New: Available Studios

Group of Flourish families walking through the forest at Holland Park Ecology Centre.

Flourish: Breathe – free day trip out of London this August

Shedder in the Maxilla Men Shed working with tools at a bench.

Tinkering Sessions in July 2022

Photograph taken from above looking over an event outdoors, adults and children sitting and standing around tables with food, and live music.

Blechynden Street Open Studios 2022

Bird's eye view of a group of people working together on a petal-shaped mosaic artwork, around a table, indoors

Newsletter 29 June 2022

Photograph of a bright artists studio, a large window at the back

New: Available Studios

Person wood carving on a large table, in a studio, indoors

Skill Up: Introduction to Wood Carving

Photograph of a group of people walking peacefully, holding green hearts and banners, on a road flanked by large tall trees

Piece Together: Talk

Grid view of 9 mosaic slabs

Newsletter 15 June 2022

Young Artists 2022

ACAVA and Friends Factory Social

Bird's eye view of a group of people working together on a petal-shaped mosaic artwork, around a table, indoors

Piece Together: Documenting Grenfell Memorial Mosaic

A group of people attending an event in an art gallery

ACAVA Studios Artist Development Prize

5 years after Grenfell: public artwork

Close up photograph of a child's hands modelling clay, indoors

Young Artists Taster Session

Flat lay of various wax carving tools on a cutting mat

Skill Up: Silverwork and Wax Carving

Two three-legged stools against a canary yellow background.

Skill Up: Woodworking

Flat lay depicting various materials and tools used in upholstery

Skill up: Upholstery for beginners

Photograph of a long corridor into artists studios, artwork hung on the walls during Essex Open Studios

Essex Open Studios 2022

Programme participants gathered around a raised bed and planting seeds.

Cultivate Create

Photograph of 2 children holding handmade prints and looking at the camera smiling, outdoors

Hi! Stoke Presents

Award for Civic Arts Organisations event

Photograph of an adult and child hanging hand-dyed cloth on a string, outdoors.

Flourish: Elevate! – creative fun this Spring holiday

Programme participants gathered around a raised bed and planting seeds.

Cultivate Create – Taster Session

Meet J D Rooney, our Studio 13 Resident

Photograph of two people using a circular saw on a workbench outdoors, a wooden fence behind them

Skill Up: Open call for makers and creative facilitators

hotograph of a child playing a scavenger hunt, in the woods, outdoors.

Free creative fun for families this half-term

Four children in school uniform pose holding a large mosaic leaf, behind them the hoarding at the base of Grenfell Tower.

ACAVA shortlisted for the Award for Civic Arts Organisations

Photograph of Saskia Dakin working a small clay piece on a table, smiling, indoors.

Saskia Dakin is ACAVA’s new Programme Coordinator

Photograph of Andreia Sofia taking a photograph in a bright space, indoors.

Andreia Sofia joins Young Photographers

Photograph of a long corridor into artists studios, artwork hung on the walls during Essex Open Studios

Ardleigh Open Studios 2021

Back to top

Supported by

© 2024 ACAVA
Registered Charity number 287894
Limited Company number 1749730
54 Blechynden Street, London W10 6RJ
hello@acava.org

© All website photographs created by ACAVA Shoots unless otherwise stated

© 2024 ACAVA
Registered Charity number 287894
Limited Company number 1749730
54 Blechynden Street, London W10 6RJ
hello@acava.org

© All website photographs created by ACAVA Shoots unless otherwise stated