2025 – 2026 Season
Bringing Art To The Fylde
Events, Exhibitions, Trips, Talks & Socials
Event Diary
| Date | Event | Description | Time | Venue | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | Studio Exhibition | Watercolour for All, Graham and Elaine Smith | As per Studio | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 5th September 2026 | Coffee Morning | Coffee morning and 50/50 draw | 10am to 12 noon | Thw Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 12th September 2026 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Graham McQuade will be giving a demonstration using watercolour | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Sunday 13th September 2026 | Handing In Day for Autumn Exhibiiton | Members to bring their pictures to the Heritage Centre | 4pm to 5pm | The Heritage Centre | Members only |
| Tuesday 15th September to Sunday 4th October 2026 | Autumn Exhibition at the Heritage Centre | Members Exhibition | 10am to 4pm (cloesed Mondays) | The Heritage Centre | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 19th September 2026 | Coffee Morning | Coffee morning | 10am to 12 noon | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 26th September 2026 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Gilbert Davies, will be giving a demonstration using watercolour | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| October | Studio Exhibition | Portraits, Angie Curran and Caroline Whitwham | As per Studio | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Sunday 4th October 2026 | Collection of unsold work by artists | Members to collect unsold work as the exhibition closes | 4pm to 4:30pm | The Heritage Centre | Members only |
| Saturday 10th October 2026 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Marianne Birkby will be giving a demonstration using charcoal | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 24th October 2026 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Graham Twford will be giving a demonstration using oils | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| November | Studio Exhibition | Crafts and Tuuesday Afternoon Group, Mary Chantler, Barbara Waite and Pat Herd | As per Studio | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 14th November 2026 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Kumar will be giving a demonstration using watercolours | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday & Sunday 21st & 22nd November 2026 | Christmas Craft Fair | Christmas gifts, raffle, tombola, refreshments, school choir | 10am to 3pm | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 28th November | Artist Demonstration | Artist, John Harrison will be giving a demonstration using ink and wash | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| December | Studio Exhibition | Pastel, Penci; and Pens, Denise McLoughlin | As per Studio | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 12th December | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Norman Long will be giving a demonstration using oils | 2pm to 4pm | The studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| January | Studio Exhibition | Pastel, Penci; and Pens, Denise McLoughlin | As per Studio | The Studio | Free Open to All |
| Saturday 9th January 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Elise Hendry will be giving a demonstration using watercolour and mixed media | 2pm to 4pm | The studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 23rd January 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Paul Talbot Greaves will be giving a portrait demonstration using acrylics | 2pm to 4pm | The studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 13th February 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Graham Thew will be giving a demonstration using watercolour | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 27th February 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Peter Woolley will be giving a demonstration using watercolour | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 13th March 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Marc Jackman will be explaining about the art of making paint including a practical demonstration | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 27th March 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Phil Craven will be giving a demonstration using watercolours | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 10th April 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Anthony Barrow will be giving a demonstration using mixed media | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
| Saturday 24th April 2027 | Artist Demonstration | Artist, Dermod Ruddock will be giving a demonstration using pigment sticks | 2pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 members, £6 non-members |
Group overview
We run 12 groups each week!
You can come to all of them if you want. Some groups run all year round too.
Visit the full Group timetable for more information and schedules.
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Acrylic & Mixed Media | Oil & Acrylic Painting | Drawing: Pencil, Charcoal & Pen |
| Tue | Experimental Watercolour | Afternoon Club | Winter Life Studies |
| Wed | Portraits (no session 23/4 resumes 30/4) | Crafts: Embroidery, Mixed Media | Four Seasons Club, Any Medium |
| Thu | Into Watercolour | Pastels, Pencils and Pens with Mixed Media (starts 1pm) | |
| Fri | Any Medium |
Come along and see for yourself
You are welcome to join us for two taster sessions before joining.
Contact us and we’ll set this up for you.
Find out more about membership Join us – Join in
Email updates
Add your email address and we’ll let you know about our upcoming events:
Demonstrations & Lectures
From September to March each year, these informative sessions are held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month (excluding Dec when only the 2nd Sat is booked).
It’s a great way to pick up tips and techniques from an expert. Host: Elaine Smith
Please note there will be a charge for each lecture of £5.00*. * This may change due to artists fees
IN THE STUDIO – 2PM TO 4PM
| Date | Demo / Lecture | Topic | Presenter | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 12 September 26 | D | Watercolour | GRAHAM MCQUADE | Watercolour |
| Saturday, 26 September 26 | D | Watercolour | GILBERT DAVIES | Watercolour |
| Saturday, 10 October 26 | D | Black and White and Wild | MARIANNE BIRKBY | Charcoal |
| Saturday, 24 October 26 | D | Landscape | GRAHAM TWYFORD | Oil |
| Saturday, 14 November 26 | D | Landscape | MR KUMAR | Watercolour |
| Saturday, 28 November 26 | D | Ink and Wash | JOHN HARRISON | Ink and Wash |
| Saturday, 12 December 26 | D | Figurs | NORMAN LONG | Oil |
| Saturday, 9 January 27 | D | Watercolour and Mixed Media | ELISE HENDRY | Watercolour and Mixed Media |
| Saturday, 23 January 27 | D | Portrait | PAUL TALBOT GREAVES | Acrylic |
| Saturday, 13 February 27 | D | Watercolour | GRAHAM THEW | Watercolour |
| Saturday, 27 February 27 | D | Seascape or Landscape | PETER WOOLLEY | Watercolour |
| Saturday, 13 March 27 | L | The art of making paint | MARC JACKMAN | |
| Saturday, 27 March 27 | D | Landscape or Seascape or Townscape | PHIL CRAVEN | Watercolour |
| Saturday, 10 April 27 | D | Portrait | ANTHONY BARROW | Mixed Media |
What We Offer
For the benefit of people who joined recently and may not know what we normally run, the following is a list of what is on offer:
Indoor & Outdoor Exhibitions
Each month a different workshop showcases its members work in the studio. The public are welcome to come and browse the artwork whenever the studio is open.
We also host outdoor exhibitions in and around Lytham St Annes, check the event diary for these and all other events.
Attend A Group Session
Attend a Group Session in our beautiful, purpose built studio.
Work with like minded artists to create a variety of artistic pieces. Draw, paint and craft using pencils, paints, oils, acrylics, watercolours, pastels, charcoal, fabrics, mixed media and more!
Time For A Cuppa
Did you know? We host 2 coffee mornings every month. Members and non members welcome
Where: Our studio on Haven Road, Lytham, FY8 5EG (opposite Booths)
When: 1st & 3rd Saturday of every month (excluding August) from 10am to noon.
A committee representative is always present and it’s a chance for members to hear about future plans and upcoming events.
Coach Trips & Social Events
Visits are organised from time to time throughout the year.
Details of social events will be announced here on our website, at coffee mornings, published in our newsletter and on posters in our Studio.
Self-Organised Visits & Demonstrations
Group leaders organize their own demonstrations and arrange trips of interest for their groups. Recent examples include:
• Art Course in Spain (attended by 3 members of the Art Society)
• Art Courses held at Higham Hall, Cumbria
• Nottingham Arts & Craft Festival (Patchings)
• Courses with favourite artists
• Visits to craft fairs
• Days out sketching both urban & rural
• Plein air painting
• Visit to Woolfest in Cockermouth
• Life drawing specials
AGM
Join us for our Annual General Meeting:
Date: Held in May each year
Time: 7:30pm
Month By Month
What Will You Choose?
Our dedicated team of volunteers have begun to arrange our ‘monthly’ schedule of activities.
January
Groups Restart
Maybe time to tackle something new !
March
Quiz Night With Hot Pot Supper
Hot Pot Supper and Quiz Night with food provided by outside caterers. A fun night with a chance to meet up in a social setting.
The Quiz is presented by our President
April/May
Spring Exhibition
This year for the first time it will be held over Saturday and Sunday in our Studio. Members pay for the limited number of tables available and show their arts and crafts for sale. The Society benefits from commission on sales.
June
St Annes Open Air Weekend Art Exhibition
St Annes Open Air Weekend Art Exhibition. Our plans for pop-up outdoor events is expanding as members really enjoy the interaction with visitors and long-standing friendships are made. The stalls will revert to setting up in St Anne’s Square.
July/August
Summer Exhibition
Our Summer Exhibition is for two weeks and held in our Studio. Our prestigious annual event showcases the best of our artists’ work. It is attended by civic dignitaries who present our cups and award highly commended certificates chosen by an independent adjudicator. There is an enormous amount of work in organising the event and we welcome the help from the many volunteers who make it memorable. This year we are introducing an art trail through Lytham which ends at The Studio.
July
Craft Day
During our Summer Exhibition, there is usually a Craft Day held on the middle Saturday, so as well as being an extra coffee morning, July will feature craft demonstrations inside the Studio & stalls outside in the car park including a plant stall.
Donations can be made on the day or on Friday morning on the lobby table.
Summer
Lake District, Grasmere Bus Trip
Spend some time in this lovely Lakeland village & see great art. Grasmere has a small array of independent shops – books, jig-saws, outdoor clothing as well as local gifts & of course the famous gingerbread. They are well worth checking out & it has plenty of eating options if you don’t want to pack a picnic.
August
Groups & Outdoor Events
Some Groups resume after the July break. Two outdoor events are staged – Lowther Gardens Open Air Art Exhibition followed by Lytham Open Air Weekend Art Exhibition in Market Square plus a special exhibition in the Studio.
September/October
Group Programme Resumes
Groups are back in full swing, & another big event, the Autumn Art Exhibition, which runs for three weeks is held in Lytham Heritage Centre. For this exhibition, all paintings must be for sale.
November
Christmas Craft Fair
The crafters take centre stage with an exciting array of work, perfect for those unusual gifts & cards. A big fund-raiser for the Society.
In 2023 we had a choir from St Peter’s Primary School getting everyone in the Christmas spirit.
December
Christmas Lunch
A chance to meet fellow members and enjoy good food and fellowship. There is also a special coffee morning with sherry and mince pies too.
Useful Information
Be In The Know
Each year we provide information via:
- This website which is regularly updated
- Our Membership Programme Card
- Our informative Newsletter which is published in Spring, Summer & Winter
- Our publicity leaflet & flyers which we deliver to hotels, cafes & other outlets throughout Lytham St Annes
- Guidance to workshop members from their leaders
- E-mail announcements & updates
- We are currently working on a Workshop Leader’s handbook
- Discover Fylde website
We offer a lot of events and activities, as you can see, but it wouldn’t happen without your help.
We are all volunteers and none of these events could go ahead without the support of helpers – many behind the scenes – who do such sterling work. The committee is very grateful for the support it gets from workshop leaders and members.
If you are able to, please get involved, volunteering can be very rewarding.
Very many thanks from the committee for your past and continuing support
A Year In The Life Of The Studio
Our Studio is buzzing with activity as long-standing friends and fellow artists gather and attend workshops in preparation for another packed programme of events. The dedicated team of volunteers have begun to arrange our ‘monthly’ schedule of activities.
Coffee Mornings, Lectures/Demonstrations, Studio Workshop Exhibitions. Barely a month goes by when something extra is not arranged!
Want to know more? Click the boxes below to find out:
Explore
Groups
Attend any of our 12 art groups using the medium you love in the company of like minded artists.
Member's Benefits
Join our community & enjoy demonstrations, art sessions, social events, workshops and more...
The Studio
We have a warm and welcoming purpose-built studio in which to enjoy your art.Â
