Breakdown Bolton

03/06/2026

This week in our third Encaustic Painting session, we explored the use of clear wax, focusing on creating depth through layering techniques and developing our own landscape-inspired artworks.

Participants experimented with building up translucent layers, allowing colours and textures to emerge through the wax and creating beautifully atmospheric effects. It was wonderful to see everyone’s confidence continue to grow as they developed their encaustic skills and creative ideas.

We can’t wait to see how these pieces progress in our final session when we will add top layers and try some more new techniques! 🎨🕯️

28/05/2026

🌿📖 NEW COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT: Plants & Poetry 🎨✨

We’re excited to share our next 4 week creative course as part of our 2026 Bolton’s Fund project.

Over four sessions we’ll be exploring poetry and creative writing alongside creating our own papier-mâché plant sculptures inspired by nature, language and imagination. 🌱🖌️

This relaxed and welcoming course is designed for people with lived experience of mental illness, with no previous experience needed and all materials provided.

📍 Falcon Mill, Handel Street, Bolton BL1 8BL
📅 Fridays — June 12th, 19th & 26th and July 3rd 2026
⏰ 1.15pm – 2.45pm

Spaces are now open to book via our Eventbrite page. We hope to see you there!

27/05/2026

Today we had our second Encaustic Art workshop, continuing to explore the exciting possibilities of working with wax ✨🎨

This week we experimented with incorporating new materials into our paintings, including pressed flowers and pigments, adding extra texture, colour and depth to our encaustic pieces 🌸🌈

It was fascinating to see how different materials interacted with the wax, with each artwork developing its own unique atmosphere and character. The session was full of experimentation, creativity and discovery.

With thanks to for making these sessions possible and improving access to art for people with lived experience of mental health in our area 🎨

23/05/2026

22/05/2026

✨🖋️ Working With Text – Final Session 🎨✨

Today we held our final Working With Text workshop, bringing together all the ideas, themes and techniques explored throughout the course 💜

Participants completed their artwork using a range of different mediums including acrylic, pastel and stitch, layering text, imagery and texture to create contrasting and expressive final pieces.

Over the past weeks we’ve explored identity, narrative, contrast and self-expression through both creative writing and mixed media art, and it’s been wonderful to see everyone’s confidence and creativity grow along the way ✨

We will be listing more workshops for this project soon. With thanks to Bolton’s Fund for making this project possible 🎨🖋️🪡

21/05/2026

🎨✨ Introduction to Encaustic – Session One ✨🎨

Yesterday we held our first Encaustic Art workshop, and it was a fantastic introduction to this unique and expressive process 💜

Participants spent the session experimenting with basic encaustic techniques, exploring how heated wax, colour and layering can be used to create texture, movement and atmosphere within their work.

It was wonderful to see everyone trying out different colours and effects, discovering the unpredictable and exciting qualities of encaustic art as the session developed ✨

With thanks to for making these sessions possible. We’re already looking forward to next week 🎨

20/05/2026

🧵✨ This morning we officially opened the That’s Sew Bolton quilt exhibition at and what a lovely celebration it was✨🧵

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout for the opening and to celebrate all the creativity, hard work and community spirit that has gone into the project over the past 10 months 💜

The quilt brings together embroidered and stitched representations of landmarks, places and memories connected to Bolton, created through collaboration with participants across the project.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended this morning and to everyone who contributed to making That’s Sew Bolton possible alongside our partners at who kindly funded this project 🌟

🪡 The quilt is now on display at Bolton Central Library for public viewing, so please do pop in and take a look! Following this it will also be displayed at and at Falcon Mill.

19/05/2026

18/05/2026

Thank you PropertFixx for your print order. Every order helps. We now print on fleece.

18/05/2026

🧵✨ Reminder: That’s Sew Bolton Exhibition Opening ✨🧵

Just a reminder that our That’s Sew Bolton quilt exhibition opening and celebration is taking place this Wednesday!

We’re incredibly proud to finally share the finished quilt, celebrating Bolton’s landmarks, heritage and creativity through embroidery and textile art 💜

📍 Bolton Central Library
Le Mans Crescent
Bolton
BL1 1SE

📅 Wednesday 20th May 2026
⏰ 10am–11am

☕ Refreshments provided in the Community Room near the ground floor computer area.

We’d love to see everyone who has supported, contributed to or followed the project along the way. Come and celebrate the amazing creativity and community spirit behind That’s Sew Bolton ✨