Featured Events in Farsley in 2025 (October Updated)

We're staying late at the Mills this Spring to bring you the Overtime Art Club sessions! Come along for relaxed evenings of drawing, printing, illustration and more - all facilitated by local emerging artists. You're welcome to bring your own drinks to the session, we'll provide all the materials you'll need. This season's sessions are a series of Ones to Watch specials, getting to know some of our exhibiting emerging artists and learning new skills in a relaxed setting! We are keen to help our Ones to Watch artists develop other areas of their careers outside of Gallery walls, and find many artists and makers diversify their practice through teaching workshops. This session with artist Atiyya is a self portrait workshop, where we will each make a self portrait by reusing and upcycling scrap fabrics, papers, materials and anything with interesting textures, patterns and colours. The aim of the workshop is to reflect on how we see ourselves to create an abstract self portrait - focusing on certain facial features, expressions and the things that make us unique as individuals. About the artist Atiyya Mirza is British, Pakistani, Muslim artist based in Bradford. Her work explores themes of womanhood, empowerment, storytelling and identity through textiles and sculpture. She applies a sense of playfulness to her work, whilst showcasing topics important to her, such as breaking cultural barriers and stereotypes, exploring religion and relationship as well as language and heritage. You can view Atiyya's work within the Gallery until 27th April. Read more about Ones to Watch 2025 here. Please note - these sessions are suitable for anyone aged 18+ About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Workshop terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Accessibility The venue of this workshop is the Finishing Room, which has flat access (with a small lip in the doorway) via the rear entrance to the Gallery. There are accessible toilets along the same corridor as the workshop space. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

During this family-friendly workshop, we will do some fun drawing games in the Gallery and create some monoprint portraits with arts engagement co-ordinator Sonia Moran. We will begin the workshop by exploring the Ones To Watch exhibition showcasing some of the most exciting emerging talent Yorkshire has to offer. The exhibition brings together work by artists from across disciplines, from painting to sculpture, film, photography, ceramics, design, and more. Working together in our dedicated workshop space, you will participate in drawing games to ignite creativity. At the end of the session, we will work towards creating a mono print mural of portraits created in the session! Suitable for families with children aged 6-11 Siblings outside of this age bracket are allowed to attend, but all attendees will need their own ticket to manage capacity in the workshop space. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please book a ticket for each person attending. All materials included, and no previous art experience is needed. Please ensure everyone wear clothes they don't mind getting messy. Access Information The Gallery building is located on Farsley Town Street. The main entrance on Town Street has a flight of stairs. The Gallery & Finishing Room workshop space can also be reached by a flat access entrance to the rear of the building, through the Mills' Main Yard (there is an approx 1 inch step on the doorway). There are several disabled toilets on site, as well as free accessible parking. If you have any questions or concerns about access prior to your visit, please email arts@sunnybankmills.co.uk or call the Gallery Team on 0113 256 3239 About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

Experience an evening with the artists featured in our latest exhibition, L oops . During this 2 hour Meet & Make session, Netherlands-based artists Gea van Eck, Monika Loster, Hanneke van Broekhoven and Yorkshire-based artists Andi Walker, Hannah Robson & Jane Claire Wilson will come together to share the journey behind their collaborative project. They'll discuss the process of designing and making the centrepiece of the Loops exhibition - an installation created across many months and hundred of miles. What to expect The Gallery will be open until the later time of 5:30pm, allowing you time to explore the exhibition and familiarise yourself with the artwork prior to the event. 45 min – A relaxed, behind-the-scenes chat about their creative process. 15 min – Open Q&A to ask the artists anything. 1 hour – Hands-on stations where you can explore each artist’s techniques and have a go. Whether you're an artist, a textile enthusiast, or just curious about the magic of collaboration, this event is for you! No previous experience necessary. The bar will be open and we reccomend coming to the Mills early to experience our annual Threads Textile Festival. About Threads Textile Festival This event is taking place as part of Sunny Bank Mills' annual celebration of textiles; featuring a series of workshops, exhibitions, talks, and a large textile market. This year’s Threads Textile Festival will take place across the site of Sunny Bank Mills on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May 2025. Find out more about Threads on our website. Visit the Threads 2025 Event Collection on Eventbrite. About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and talk bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Accessibility This event will be held in the Gallery which is located on Farsley Town Street. The main entrance on Town Street has a flight of stairs. The Gallery can also be reached by a flat access entrance to the rear of the building, through the Mills’ Main Yard (there is an approx 1 inch step on the doorway). There are several disabled toilets on site, as well as free accessible parking. Suitable for ages 16+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

Be immersed in the magic of a bluebell filled woods in our Atelier of Spring. We warmly welcome you and your young ones to play, explore and make in this creative, sensory playscape. With invitations to play with light and projections, sculpt, draw, colour mix, paint and collage, this workshop is suitable for all ages and stages. An exciting selection of loose parts, textiles, papers and other scrap resources will be available - all art materials are included in the cost of the sessions. The work that is produced in this three day special will be collated and carefully exhibited in SCRAP for the following week, showcasing the creativity of our city's youngest artists. All children need their own ticket, no charge for accompanying adults. Suitable for all children of all ages and stages. We recommend wearing clothes that you don't mind getting a bit arty! This event will be facilitated by Atelierista Victoria Lungu - a joyful collaboration between the PLAY tent and SCRAP. Information Source: The Play Tent | eventbrite

Be immersed in the magic of a bluebell filled woods in our Atelier of Spring. We warmly welcome you and your young ones to play, explore and make in this creative, sensory playscape. With invitations to play with light and projections, sculpt, draw, colour mix, paint and collage, this workshop is suitable for all ages and stages. An exciting selection of loose parts, textiles, papers and other scrap resources will be available - all art materials are included in the cost of the sessions. The work that is produced in this three day special will be collated and carefully exhibited in SCRAP for the following week, showcasing the creativity of our city's youngest artists. All children need their own ticket, no charge for accompanying adults. Suitable for all children of all ages and stages. We recommend wearing clothes that you don't mind getting a bit arty! This event will be facilitated by Atelierista Victoria Lungu - a joyful collaboration between the PLAY tent and SCRAP. Information Source: The Play Tent | eventbrite

Join artist and maker Kim Searle from Darn It Workshops in this workshop where you will turn mosaic tiles, broken crockery and lots of other up-cycled pieces into your mosaic works of art. You will be able to choose from a large choice of base shapes to work on and learn the best adhesives to use of each one. Kim will demo tools and materials, then its your turn! At the end of the workshop, you’ll be given a bag of grout to take home to finish your pieces at a later date. Course level: beginner Artist bio: Kim graduated from the University of Huddersfield BA Textile Crafts course in 2012 after specialising in Printmaking with an emphasis on creative work within communities. Since leaving university she’s worked on various projects with a common vein of passing on creative skills and using creativity as a way to build community, support positive mental health and bring people a lot of joy. She works under the name Darn It! Workshops, primarily delivering creative workshops across the country in galleries, community groups, festivals, events, creative spaces and more. She recognises that everyone learns differently and adapts teaching styles to the individual, tries to only work with venues that are accessible, offers low income options and strongly believes in the benefits of creativity for mental health. When attending a workshop you can receive 10% off within the Gallery Shop on the day of your session. About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

If you have a small hole or ripped garment, or would like to learn how to repair your clothers for future, come and learn the way to repair with beautiful slow stitching and patching embellishment with fabrics. We will also be using Perle cotton and look at wool darning, so please bring along your woolen clothing too. Specific materials to bring: Small needle case kit - with small scissors would be helpful. If you do have a wooden mushroom for darning please bring this along. Artist bio: CarolAnn is an artist and educator specialising in hand embroidery based in Yorkshire. She also teaches Eco Printing, Slow Stitching and visible mending. CarolAnn's own practice explores the importance of Slow textiles and traditional skills, naturally dying her own fabrics and threads from her garden. When attending a workshop you can receive 10% off within the Gallery Shop on the day of your session. About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

You will experiment with a variety of flowers and leaves to make and take away between 6 and 10 striking ‘blue prints’ (cyanotypes) ranging in paper finish and size. You will also hand stitch your own printed cyanotype-cover sketchbook to takeaway. In this workshop you will explore the process of cyanotypes, a cameraless form of photography where we will use the sunlight to capture silhouettes of different flowers and leaves. We'll compare the different affects you can create with opaque and translucent botanical objects, and see what interesting and playful results you get from layering. We will use our cyanotypes to hand stitch our own A6 note/sketchbook (to keep or give away!) Everything you need is provided, just bring an apron and/or wear scruffs as the cyanotype chemicals – although completely safe – can stain fabrics. If you have some leaves and flower cuttings you would like to use, bring these along. There is no minimum ability expected - anyone with an interest in the arts, printing and working with nature-based images are welcome. Be aware that we will be working outside in the sunshine so come prepared and protected from the elements with sun cream and a hat. In the event of adverse weather, we will work inside using a light box. There is no ‘formal’ break, but the workshop is very relaxed with opportunities for rest/time out throughout. Everyone is encouraged and supported to work at their own pace. Artist bio: The workshop is run by Zoe, a qualified and experienced art tutor currently teaching at a specialist arts university in Leeds. She also has a creative workshops venture called Short and Few which explores a range of analogue activities, including bookmaking, collage and paper arts, and lino printing. Her background is in graphic design and typography, but over the years she has developed a deep interest in process-driven arts and hands-on analogue practices. She is a big believer in learning by doing and making mistakes as a form of enquiry, an ethos which underpins her teaching. Zöe loves the buzz of seeing what people make when they least expect it, and inspiring people to develop a curiosity for what the arts can be about. Cyanotypes really do feel like magic when you see the process unfold. When attending a workshop you can receive 10% off within the Gallery Shop on the day of your session. About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

For this beginner’s workshop on botanical painting, we’ll be learning all the basics of using watercolour paints to create beautiful studies of flowers. With Poppy-Lee as our teacher, we’ll be studying different techniques and styles within the field of botanical illustration. On the day, we’ll be using fresh flowers for reference, learning about the different parts of the plant to better understand how to paint them. The class is great for beginners, novices, hobbyists, and anyone with an interest in painting or flowers. Go away with your own painting of a seasonal bloom and the techniques needed to carry on with your own studies. Poppy-Lee will also be providing a list of materials on the day for anyone who wants it. Artist bio: Poppy-Lee Jennings is an artist & illustrator based in Leeds. Her work often takes influence from botanicals, mycology, and her green surroundings, creating educational and colourful studies of the natural world. When she’s not painting botanicals, she works freelance as a writer, artist, and workshop facilitator. When attending a workshop you can receive 10% off within the Gallery Shop on the day of your session. About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite

In this summer themed glass workshop we will learn about how glass can be heated to create a different style of art glass than your usual stained glass style. We will focus on glass cutting, arranging and layering different coloured glass to build on our skills. Participants will create unique glass compositions of their own design by experimenting with materials in a collage style. Perhaps you have a favourite flower or arrangement you want to recreate in glass? All the work will then head off for an overnight soak in a warm kiln within Zoe's studio, here on site in the Spinning Mill. Please note : work will need to be collected w/c 8th July from the Gallery. This session is suitable for beginners and young people aged 14+ when accompanied by an adult. Artist bio: Zoe Eady is a Glass Artist based in Leeds working within the medium since 2007. She specialises in the creative design and production of Art Glass (windows and panels) using traditional and modern techniques. When attending a workshop you can receive 10% off within the Gallery Shop on the day of your session. About the venue Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Course terms and booking conditions Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded. Information Source: Sunny Bank Mills | eventbrite