What's On - Sunny Bank Mills | Art Gallery & Business Space in Leeds

EXPLORE OUR WORKSHOP & EVENT PROGRAMME

Sunny Bank Mills’ Arts and Heritage teams programme a wide range of creative workshops, art exhibitions, artists’ Open Studios, heritage tours, markets, performances and much more.

Get involved by learning a new skill or improving one you already have, enjoying some artwork at an exhibition opening, watching a live performance in one of our beautiful spaces, visiting our Museum & Archive for a tour or attending one of our markets.

Threads Textile Festival 2026

For the Love of Textiles

Book a Visit

May

May 15, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 5, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Hand Building Ceramics – 4 week course

Spend 4 weeks with Poppy Davis (AKA CloD) and build on your ceramics skills week on week.

May

May 21, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 11, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

A Short Course in Printmaking

There are numerous ways of creating prints. During this short course we will be exploring 3 methods – monoprint, drypoint and relief print.

May

May 23, 2026 @ 10:00 am - May 23, 2026 @ 11:00 am

Museum & Archive Saturday Booking

Book your slot for a Saturday Guided Visit to the Sunny Bank Mills Museum & Archive

May

May 23, 2026 @ 10:00 am - May 23, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Experimental Gelli Printing

Experimental Gelli Printing is a vibrant and hands-on workshop that invites you to explore the creative potential of monoprinting!

May

May 23, 2026 @ 10:00 am - May 23, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving in a Day

Spend a day learning to weave on one of our looms!

May

May 24, 2026 @ 10:00 am - May 24, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Portraits in Oils for Beginners

Learn crucial techniques when painting portraits in oils with artist Richard Kitson.

May

May 24, 2026 @ 10:00 am - May 24, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving in a Day

Spend a day learning to weave on one of our looms!

May

May 30, 2026 @ 10:00 am - May 30, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Create a Paper Icelandic Poppy Workshop

Learn the delicate art of paper flowers and create your own Icelandic Poppy that will never wilt!

Jun

June 2, 2026 @ 02:00 pm - June 2, 2026 @ 03:30 pm

Tea & Textile Tuesdays

Join together with like minded textile enthusiasts on the 1st Tuesday of each month for Tea and Textiles in the Finishing Room.

Jun

June 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 6, 2026 @ 01:30 pm

Print & Stitch: Developing Textile Artwork

In this intermediate-level workshop, participants will explore the creative crossover between print and stitch.

Jun

June 7, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 7, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Watercolour Landscapes on Location – Sunny Bank Mills

Taking inspiration from the surroundings at Sunny Bank Mills, Amy will lead you through her process of capturing a landscape on location.

Jun

June 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 14, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Beginner’s Weaving Course

A weekend course for anyone interested in learning how to weave!

Jun

June 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 12, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Mosaic Workshop

Join Kim Searle and learn the skills needed to mosaic.

Jun

June 13, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 13, 2026 @ 03:30 pm

Botanical Bas Relief Plaster Relief Tiles

Come along and enjoy this experimental course where you will learn the various steps to making your own bas relief plaster cast plaques.

Jun

June 14, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 14, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Funky Foam Relief Prints

Create colourful layered relief print using foam with print maker Cath Brooke.

Jun

June 19, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 19, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Embroider with Nature

Combine nature with embroidery on this workshop with Embroidery artist and educator Elnaz Yazdani!

Jun

June 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 20, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

From Sketches to Sketchbook

Join arts facilitator Zoe Platt to develop your sketching skills, and learn how to book bind.

Jun

June 21, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 21, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Expressive Bird Painting in Watercolour and Ink

Join Leeds artist and illustrator, Tim Gomersall, for a day of watercolour painting.

Jun

June 26, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 26, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Creative Ways to Dye Fabric with Indigo

Join hand-dying expert Debbie Tomkies for a day exploring what Indigo has to offer.

Jun

June 27, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 27, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving in a Day

Spend a day learning to weave on one of our looms!

Jun

June 28, 2026 @ 10:00 am - June 28, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

Screen Print and Construct your own Lampshade

Join textile designer Millie Rothera for a morning of screen printing to create your own lampshade!

Jul

July 4, 2026 @ 10:00 am - July 4, 2026 @ 03:00 pm

Wild Cordage with Alice Fox

An introduction to gathering and processing plant-based fibres that grow wild.

Jul

July 10, 2026 @ 10:30 am - July 10, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Embroidery on Clothing

Learn how to give your clothing a second life through decorative stitch.

Jul

July 11, 2026 @ 10:30 am - July 11, 2026 @ 02:30 pm

Gel Plate Printing & Stitch

In this session you will discover an easy way to learn the art of printing without a press and how to add detail and dimension to your work.

Jul

July 17, 2026 @ 10:00 am - July 19, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Intermediate Weaving Course

This 3 week course is aimed those who have been on the beginners weaving course or already have some experience of weaving on a shaft loom.

Jul

July 17, 2026 @ 10:00 am - July 17, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Printing from Nature

We will be making one off colourful monoprints, printing from leaves and foliage to create colourful layered prints.

Jul

July 18, 2026 @ 10:00 am - July 18, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Introduction to Natural Dyeing

Explore the colours from nature through natural dyeing with Debbie Tomkies.

Jul

July 19, 2026 @ 10:00 am - July 19, 2026 @ 04:30 pm

Monogrammed Glasses/Sunglasses Case

Join designer and leatherworker Katie Roe in a workshop introducing hand leatherwork.

Jul

July 24, 2026 @ 10:00 am - July 26, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Loom Hire with Technician

Have you attended one of our weaving workshops or courses? Want to progress with your weaving? Join Agnis in the weaving shed.

Aug

August 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 20, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Urban sketching: From blank page to creative confidence

Build your creativity and drawing skills in this inspiring 3-part course exploring the exciting world of urban sketching.

Aug

August 8, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 8, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Observing the Seasons – Summer

Returning to the same space throughout the year, we will observe the changing seasons through our colourful and expressive sketches.

Aug

August 22, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 22, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Introduction to Oil Painting

Join Richard Kitson to explore the wonderful, versatile world of oil painting.

Aug

August 30, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 30, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Expressive Bird Painting in Watercolour and Ink

Join Leeds artist and illustrator, Tim Gomersall, for a day of watercolour painting.

Sep

September 5, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 5, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

Visible Mending on clothing

Learn how to mend and embellish your clothing with artist and educator Carolann Allan.

Sep

September 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 6, 2026 @ 04:30 pm

Monogrammed Leather Purse/Case

Join designer and leatherworker Katie Roe in a workshop introducing hand leatherwork.

Sep

September 19, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 19, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

Screen Print and Construct your own Lampshade

Join textile designer Millie Rothera for a morning of screen printing to create your own lampshade!

Sep

September 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 20, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Print, Tie, Resist – Creative Ways to Dye Fabric with Natural Dyes

Try your hand at different ways to dye fabrics, with natural dye expert Debbie Tomkies.

Sep

September 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 20, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Rigid Heddle Loom Workshop

Learn how to use a rigid heddle loom, with weaving tutor Agnis Smallwood.

Sep

September 25, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 9, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Getting started in children’s illustration

This 3-week course will help you to find your way as an illustrator for children.

Sep

September 27, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 27, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Textile Prints Inspired by Sunny Bank Mills

Come and join us for this unique opportunity to delve into the Archive at Sunny Bank Mills and create your own custom lino print for fabric.

Oct

October 4, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 4, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Screen printing with stencils: Creative mini prints

Discover the playful possibilities of screen printing in this hands-on workshop.

Oct

October 4, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 4, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving for Wool Month

Agnis Smallwood has designed a bespoke workshop for Sunny Bank Mills to celebrate Wool Month in October.

Oct

October 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 10, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Portraits in Oils for Beginners

Learn crucial techniques when painting portraits in oils with artist Richard Kitson.

Oct

October 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 10, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving for Wool Month

Agnis Smallwood has designed a bespoke workshop for Sunny Bank Mills to celebrate Wool Month in October.

Oct

October 18, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 18, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Monoprinting Workshop

Join Cath Brooke to create Monoprints using found and cut stencils.

Oct

October 18, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 18, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving for Wool Month

Agnis Smallwood has designed a bespoke workshop for Sunny Bank Mills to celebrate Wool Month in October.

Oct

October 23, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 23, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Introduction to Punch Needle

In this fun and relaxed workshop you'll learn the basics of Punch Needle with Kim Searle.

Oct

October 24, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 24, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Introduction to Botanical Printing

Welcome to the fascinating world of creating beautiful prints on fabric from plants and leaves!

Oct

October 31, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 31, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Observing the Seasons – Autumn

Returning to the same space throughout the year, we will observe the changing seasons through our colourful and expressive sketches.

Nov

November 6, 2026 @ 10:30 am - November 6, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Embroidery Design with Couching/Slow Stitch

Grow your hand embroidery knowledge with textile artist Carol-Ann Allan and learn the basics of Couching.

Museum & Archive bookings

Discover the story of Sunny Bank Mills and its workers during a 1 hour bespoke, interactive guided tour of our on site Museum & Archive. Every Saturday from 10am-3pm. Book directly on our Eventbrite.

We offer group bookings and longer visits for research purposes. Find out more.

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What’s On

Threads Textile Festival 2026

For the Love of Textiles

Book a Visit