Art and Joy

15/04/2026

Ticket link in bio OR search “Preston Creative Social 2026” on Skiddle.

Preston Creative Social returns for 2026! - Open Mic & .s.werd are teaming up to throw another Preston Creative Social at Artch in Preston on Sunday the 17th of May 3PM- 7PM and it's free to attend!

Building on last years event expect; open decks, spoken word open mic, doodle & chill, an art exhibition, circus skills open practice and an open mic for music as well as food, drink and makers stalls.

Preston Creative Social is run by creatives for creatives. If you love playing music, writing poetry, creating art or physical performance, come down and get involved. Showcase your work, express yourself, and connect in a supportive, friendly space. Whether you take part or just hang out, everyone is welcome—meet new people, get inspired and enjoy the vibe.

All levels are encouraged. Community, accessibility, and self-expression are at the heart of everything we do.

FREE EXHIBITION – ARTIST CALL OUT
Send applications to Gemma at: art_and_joy@outlook.com

Include:
Name (personal + artist name)
Artist bio
Work bio
Socials/portfolio links
Preferred contact method (for sales)
Artwork measurements
Submission deadline: 12th May

OPEN DECK & SPOKEN WORD OPEN MIC & MUSIC OPEN MIC
Sign up on the day

CIRCUS SKILLS OPEN PRACTICE
Just turn up.

DISABILITY & ACESSABILITY

Ground floor venue
Accessible Facilities
Service dogs welcome
Step free venue
Earplugs available on site
Flexible Seating available
The doodle & chill is a sensory space
Universal toilets

PLEASE NOTE: This event comes with an overarching trigger warning for sensitive subjects
and over 18 content. Children are welcome at your own discretion and must be
accompanied by an adult.

01/04/2026

📢 Calling all artists! 📢

Want to get your art seen in a cool creative space? For free? Meet like-minded people? Maybe make some sales? Then, apply to showcase your art at our pop-up exhibition at on the 17th May.

🗓 The deadline for applications is the 12th May.

You will need to drop off your work on Saturday 16th May, the day before the event. If your application is successful you will be allocated a drop off time via email.

If you have any questions or you need help with your application, please email Gemma. She will be more than happy to assist you!

18/03/2026

Catch us at Chorley Town Hall next Tuesday, where we will be celebrating National Social Prescriber Day!
We will have a doodle table on the go, feel free to come and ask us any questions or just say hello and also check out the other amazing groups and support available in our community 🥰 hope to see you there!

02/03/2026

We will be using door F for the foreseeable 😊

If you're struggling to navigate the premises now that the work has split the buildings in two we hope this map might help.

Door A for the Main Hall is accessible from the ramp at the top of the Council car park.

Doors E, F and G (for the Church Rooms, Coffee Room and Byron St upstairs) are all accessed by heading down the left hand side of the Sanctuary - through the gateway, past the pond and containers.

The Sanctuary and Byron Street Doors are accessible as usual.

26/02/2026

NEW DOOR/ENTRANCE! HOW TO GET INTO ART GROUP! (Door F on the map)

23/02/2026

NEW WAY TO ENTER THE CENTRE!

The 'Coffee Room' entrance (up the ramp behind the colourful fence) is no longer in use as our building project gets underway. Access to the Main Hall, Byron Street, and the Sanctuary haven't changed at all.

Access to the Coffee Room will be either via the Hall if it is not otherwise in use or via the back door (indicated in blue below). Access to the church rooms will be via the door indicated in green. Both doors are accessed from the path on the left side of the Sanctuary.

Our volunteers are working harder than ever to make sure that activities can carry on as normally as possible during the work and we are keeping in touch with users of the buildings. If you have any questions, please send a message or give us a call.

23/02/2026

The groundwork contractors have arrived on site and set up their compound. During the day we now have only about 9 spaces available in our car park therefore we ask that these are left for use by group leaders who will be on site for more than 3 hours and those with a blue badge.

The council car park next door is free for one hour and only £2 for 3 hours. There's also Friday street and Water Street within walking distance.

Please also note that vehicles (including HGVs) will at times be driving out of the car park down the drive so please turn in with extra caution

15/01/2026

Everything is now gone

‼️We are having a big clear out‼️

Lots of arts and crafts supplies available to grab FREE tonight 5pm til 7pm @ The Hollinshead Centre. Hollinshead St Chorley. Feel free to come down and help yourself. Whats left will be donated tomorrow!

Frames
Paints
Pens
Card making
Paper
Card
Art books
"Make your own" kits
Loads more!

12/01/2026

12/01/2026

Happy birthday for yesterday from all of us to our lovely volunteer Nicola! So sorry I'm late 🫠 thanks for all you do, we hope you had a wonderful day ❤️ x

07/01/2026

Hey everyone! Hope you've missed us because we've definitely missed you! We're back tomorrow! Hope to see all of your beautiful faces and hope you all had a nice Christmas and new year's! See you tomorrow! ❤️

18/12/2025

Hello lovely people! What a year we've had eh! Thank you all so much for being apart of art and joy we are one little crazy family and we wouldn't have it any other way! Just to let you know we're not in on 25th or the 1st of Jan. But we're back on the 8th of January 2026! We hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and new year's! The art and joy team are having a well deserved rest so that we can be in tip top condition for the new year! Many love from Gem,Abi and the team❤️ SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!