Cottenham Canvas

26/04/2025

More photos from Monday's workshop. We all got stuck in and let our hair down! 😍

Cottenham Village Hall

02/02/2025

I really look forward to Monday evenings and setting up the space, ready to welcome our members each week. We're from different walks of life but share the common interest of using creativity as a way to detox from life's stresses and strains. If you think you might benefit from a couple of hours of quiet self-guided painting or drawing in a calm and respectful environment, you'll find our group very warm and supportive (this is for adults only).

Thanks to donations we now have quite a range of shared materials for you to use if you are unable to bring your own, or just want to try something different (e.g. pastels, oil, watercolour, graphite, charcoal, acrylic, colour pencils, brushes, pens & paper). Drop me a message if you'd like to try out a session sometime. There's no pressure to commit and you'll be welcome back anytime (do please message me first though).
- Rob

12/11/2024

Some of our members at the end of our first group exhibition. :)

11/11/2024

We had an absolute ball this evening at Cottenham Canvas ! Usually we bring our own projects to work on by ourselves, but this week we decided to learn something new together. We tried Gelli Printing with guidance from those in the group who had done it before.
Sometimes it's the quiet peace that creativity can bring us, and other times it's the joy of finding new outlets for expression, and spending time with like-minded people.
If you'd like to join us and give it a go drop us a note! No experience needed, and all abilities are very welcome

19/10/2024

07/07/2024

Had a fantastic morning at Cottenham Market. A big "thank you" to the organisers. LOTS of positive engagement with local residents and folks from further afield, many of whom expressed similar doubts to my own from the past, such as "not being good enough" for painting or drawing. I hope I managed to convince some of you that the aim is to simply give yourself permission to have a go, and to try and set aside feelings about good and bad (if only for a couple of hours). The rest can come with practice. If you are creating (whatever the medium), then you are automatically doing something right by yourself. And if your only barrier to trying something arty is not regarding yourself as good enough, then please don't let that be the reason. I felt that way for MANY years, but now I'm beginning to let go of the self judgement (it is a process), and embrace the fact I'm doing myself a kindness every time I pick up a brush or pencil.

Personal outpouring aside (!), if you're on the fence about giving your local art group a try, I'd urge you to go for it. You might be surprised at how supportive and nurturing these environments can be, and how beneficial to your overall wellbeing.

A massive thanks to everyone who purchased our hand designed cards today! Not only a big boost for our members' confidence, but a great help towards paying for our weekly venue hire.

Hope to see you soon. :) -- Rob

06/07/2024

If you'd like to have a chat and find out more about Cottenham Canvas, come and find our stall at Cottenham Village Hall indoor market tomorrow (Sunday 7th July @ 9:30am-1:00pm). We'll also have one or two cards for sale to help raise money for the group. :) - Rob

24/06/2024

It's our one year anniversary! If you heard about us at FEF or have been thinking of trying the group, come along tonight to try out the group for free. We have cake! 🎂🥳

23/06/2024

We are set up and waiting to meet you at the Fen Edge Festival by the college. :-D

22/06/2024

“For some reason I don’t do much art at home as I feel I have more pressing issues or things to do. Being part of the group means I have 2 full hours reserved for art and I don’t feel guilty for “wasting time” Art is not my strongpoint but during the group you are free to do whatever you want and it has been really satisfying to build up a sketch book of ideas and fit in some art during the week. Quiet spacious environment to work in and lovely people”
~Kate, Cottenham Canvas regular

The image below is titled "River Dance", painted by Nicole Billington.
This print will be available to purchase as a card at the Fen Edge Festival at our stall near the college, to raise money for our hall hire costs. Come and meet some of us tomorrow (Sunday) and see why we love our Monday evenings so much.

20/06/2024

We are very excited about the upcoming Fen Edge Festival in Cottenham this weekend!
We have a stand outside the college on Sunday where we would love to meet you and tell you about what we do. Hopefully we can interest you in joining us for a free Monday evening session with us to see if it's something that could help you relax and recharge too.
Some of our members have kindly donated some of their favourite artworks to be sold as cards and prints. The proceeds will go towards our hall hire costs. Aren't they beautiful?!

18/06/2024

"I enjoy the group because it gives me a couple of hours to indulge and explore my creative self without any expectations to produce works of art, just enjoy the feelings that drawing and painting add to my physical and mental wellbeing." ~Val

Artwork by Val Coats. "Wicken Fen in the Frost", acrylics on paper

Join us on Monday nights at Cottenham village hall for your own few hours of wellbeing.

Email cottenham.canvas@gmail.com to book