Beginner

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Students spend time learning the very basics of the taught medium, for example, how to mix colours, use different tools, set up an easel. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience, they tend to follow a more structured path than our other courses, ensuring each student receives the guidance they need from the tutor.

LAURA RIBBONS

Laura Ribbons is an artist, curator and arts educator based in Hastings. Laura has been working in watercolours for over 10 years and is a passionate advocate for the medium. She is a graduate of Wimbledon College of Art with a degree in Fine Art (Painting). She was the winner of the 2012 Orbis Art Prize and was nominated for the Clyde & Co Art Awards the same year.

In 2016 Laura gained a Masters degree in Environmental Anthropology from the University of Kent, allowing her to further develop her interests in plant-human relations and the climate crisis, both topics which conceptually inform her practice. Laura has exhibited widely and her works feature in a number of private collections across the UK, she has also exhibited in Spain where she lived from 2018 – 2019. In 2022 Laura was invited to take part in the Towner Gallery’s Open Plan Residency programme. As a socially-engaged arts practitioner Laura has worked on projects with a number of high profile galleries including the Towner Gallery, Watts Gallery – Artist Village and Pallant House Gallery.

Mermaid Court

165A Borough High Street London SE1 1HR tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Borough (both a 5 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough High Street”.

We cannot store your bikes at the Academy, however there is on-street bike parking near our Mermaid Court site.

Students are welcome to use our Common Room during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food.

You are also welcome to make tea or coffee.

Terms and Conditions

• By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
• You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

• If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
• Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
• All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
• We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
• Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
• Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.