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Features - Centre of England Arts one year on…
Featured in the Christmas Issue December 2011
Written By Julie Hyde
On Saturday 23 October 2010, a dream came true for Julie Hyde from Meriden when the Centre of England Arts (COEA) in Hampton in Arden was opened officially by the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ian Courts. A charity founded for the education and pleasure of people of all ages who wish to explore their artistic talent, the COEA had been an ambition of Julie's for many years.
Now, one year on, the Centre, which is located in a rural setting at Patrick Farm Barns on the Meriden Road, Hampton in Arden, holds weekly painting and drawing classes most days of the week and a range of one-day art and craft workshops at weekends.
Now, one year on, the Centre, which is located in a rural setting at Patrick Farm Barns on the Meriden Road, Hampton in Arden, holds weekly painting and drawing classes most days of the week and a range of one-
Despite ambitions to be an artist from when she was a child, Julie failed to obtain a place in an art college and went on to study to be a mechanical engineer. A successful career in this industry followed but she continued to paint and draw in her spare time. A few years ago, Julie decided to give up engineering and pursue her interest in art – by running classes and workshops in the Solihull area in village halls. These rapidly gained a loyal following but the lack of a permanent venue was frustrating. That's when Julie conceived the idea of setting up an arts centre – it coinciding with the availability of suitable premises in the newly developed Patrick Farm Barns. Founded as a not-
on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays run by guest artists and tutors. Many art and craft skills have been taught in these workshops including working with stained glass, enamelling, textiles work, jewellery making and photography. There have also been workshops for life drawing, portraiture and landscape painting.
Julie Hyde says: "We like to give people a range of skills to try. To come here for just a few hours and take home something handmade using skills they never knew they had is a real thrill for people."
Julie Hyde says: "We like to give people a range of skills to try. To come here for just a few hours and take home something handmade using skills they never knew they had is a real thrill for people."
The Centre of England Arts deliberately does not run accredited courses or courses that lead to examinations.
Julie Hyde says: "Accreditation adds to the cost of running a course and, besides, we are not competing with colleges. People who come our classes do so because they want to hang their painting on a wall, not a certificate."
The cost of places on classes and workshops is deliberately kept low. A 14-week two-hour class works out at just £7 per session and can be paid for in two stages – £49 at the beginning of each seven weeks. The cost of places on workshops varies depending on the subject matter and what materials are
Julie Hyde says: "Accreditation adds to the cost of running a course and, besides, we are not competing with colleges. People who come our classes do so because they want to hang their painting on a wall, not a certificate."
The cost of places on classes and workshops is deliberately kept low. A 14-
provided but for a six-hour workshop a typical charge is £30 to £40 per person.
In addition to on-going weekly classes and a number of one-off workshops leading up to Christmas (full details of which are on the website www.coea.co.uk) the COEA will host its second art and crafts exhibition on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December, from 10.00am to 5.00pm each day. Admission is free and the exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see the work of students and tutors.
They can also find out how people have developed from complete beginners to skilled artists as a result of attending weekly classes or workshops at the
In addition to on-
They can also find out how people have developed from complete beginners to skilled artists as a result of attending weekly classes or workshops at the
