Spotlight: North Tyneside Art Studio
A welcoming community studio in North Shields offering daily workshops in painting, pottery, woodcarving, and more — free to members for their first year.
For over thirty years, North Tyneside Art Studio has provided a safe, non-judgemental space where people can explore creativity at their own pace. Based in North Shields, the studio uses art as a tool for improving and sustaining good mental health — and it does so entirely free of charge to members for their first twelve months.
What Happens There
The studio runs daily workshop sessions led by professional artists across a wide range of art forms: painting, pottery, woodcarving, glass, textiles, printmaking, creative writing, puppet making, and drawing. Members are not locked into a single discipline; they can try different media and discover what resonates with them. The emphasis is on personal exploration rather than formal instruction, though skilled guidance is always on hand.
Open Access
The studio is open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with some evening and weekend sessions. Once accepted as a member, you can drop in at any time during open hours as often as you need, using all materials, tools, and facilities at no cost during your first year. This open-access model removes the financial barriers that can prevent people from engaging with creative activity.
More Than a Workshop
North Tyneside Art Studio is a registered charity with a clear social purpose. It provides a welcoming community for people who may be experiencing isolation, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. The friendly atmosphere and structured creative activity offer routine, purpose, and connection — benefits that extend well beyond the artwork itself.
New members are welcome. Contact the studio directly or visit their website to find out how to join.