Whats coming up at GRAFT?
Exhibitions, workshops, courses and events starting May!
Step inside Graft Studios, a brand-new creative space rooted in one of Sandown’s most distinctive historic buildings. Housed within the North Wing of The Old Town Hall on Grafton Street, Graft Studios brings new life to a place once central to civic life, now reimagined as a home for making, thinking and creative exchange.
Visitors are warmly invited to explore this newly opened space. Whether you’re curious about how artists work, interested in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings, enjoy discovering new creative spaces, or are an artist, maker or creative looking for a new studio.
Graft Studios opening offers a chance to see something at its very beginning — a place where creativity is being actively shaped.
7 days of events in May!
15th-17th & 22nd-25th / 10.30-4.30 / IW Open Studios: Meet Emma Souter and Gareth Rees and explore their workspaces. Ask questions, be nosy, see tools, techniques, finished pieces and work in progress; and find out about the Art and Heritage Craft Classes starting in June.
16th-17th & 23rd-25th / 11am-4pm / Drop in GRAFT Activities: Take part in Story Sharing,Art Treasure Hunt and opportunities to help ideate what comes next at the building.
22nd /6-9pm: GRAFT STUDIOS ‘Opening Celebration’: We would like to invite you to celebrate with us. We hope you can join us and cheer us on as we start our journey!
Come and see how an old building can hold new ideas.
Aimed a building expression, skills and confidence for beginners, and those who may be nervous or are returning to art as a hobby after a long break. A sociable, relaxed and informal group class with a maximum class size of 10 to ensure learners receive ‘one to one’ tutor support and plenty of room.
Learners get to experience working in a space specifically designed for creative use. Priced at £25 per session / £200 for the term. Easels, boards and essential art materials provided.
Subjects vary and include form, colour, line, texture and tone and encourage expressive line and mark making as well as improving traditional observational drawing and painting skills.
Tuition is sold in blocks based around standard term times and holidays.
Summer term: June 4th - July 23rd (8 weeks) 10am-12pm (2hrs) / Thursdays at GRAFT STUDIOS.
Tutor: Emma Souter
These sessions are suitable for all skill levels, from complete beginners to those looking to continue their professional development (CPD) and refine existing skills. Each participant works at their own pace, with Gareth providing tailored, one-to-one guidance throughout. These classes are for anyone looking to slow down, work with their hands and enjoy learning a traditional craft in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Tuition focuses on traditional upholstery techniques such as webbing, stuffing, and hand stitching, with an emphasis on understanding materials and methods as well as developing practical skills. Whether starting from scratch or building on prior experience, learners are supported at every stage.
Available as half or full day bookings, classes are booked in monthly blocks of 4 weekly sessions (£45 per half day).
Wednesdays
AM Session: 9.30-12.30 / £45 per session / £180 Total for 4 weeks
PM Session: 1-4 / £45 / £180 Total for 4 weeks
You can purchase both morning and afternoon sessions to have a full days tuition.
Block 1: June 3rd-24 / Block 2: July 1st -22nd
Learners develop their skills over time. As every project is different, completion within a single block cannot be guaranteed. The focus is on quality, learning, and enjoyment rather than rushing to the finish.
Participants are encouraged to bring along a small piece of furniture to work on. Gareth will assess each item beforehand to ensure it is suitable, helping to guide learners expectations and progression.
Fillings and materials are not included in the course fee, giving participants the flexibility to choose fabrics that suit their own style, project and budget. Gareth will supply traditional fillings and essential upholstery materials at cost and is happy to advise on sourcing everything required.
All essential tools are provided for use during the classes, so participants can get started straight away. Those who develop a passion for the craft may choose to invest in their own toolkit over time.
Classes provide a welcoming, social environment where people can unwind, learn a valuable heritage skill and take pride in transforming something with their own hands.
Enquiries please email: graftstudiosiow@gmail.com
For improvers and artists looking for a weekly boost of creativity and to further develop their painting and drawing confidence, style and expression. A sociable, relaxed and informal group class with a maximum class size of 10 to ensure learners receive ‘one to one’ tutor support and plenty of room.
Learners get to experience working in a space specifically designed for creative use. Priced at £25 per session / £200 for the term. Easels, boards and essential art materials provided.
Covering traditional painting and drawing materials and techniques. Subjects are varied and based around students interests and growth.
Tuition is sold in blocks based around standard term times and holidays.
Summer term: June 4th - July 23rd (8 weeks) 1-3pm (2hrs) / Thursdays at GRAFT STUDIOS.
Tutor: Emma Souter
Who is this workshop for: A 2 day group workshop designed for Artists, Makers and those working in the creative or heritage sector, who want to gain confidence and knowledge in how to run workshops, support learners and share effectively. This course offers an Introduction to Basic Teaching Skills for those who have their subject specialism and wish to write and deliver a course, but have no educational qualification and little teaching experience.
What to expect:
Workshop 1: Basic Teaching Skills, Theory & Practical Planning. (5hours /9.30am-2.30pm / Friday 10th July)
Workshop 2: Micro Teaching, Feedback and Reflective Practice. (5hours / 9.30am-2.30pm / Friday 17th July)
In addition, 2 hours home study is recommended between the first and second session.
These two, professional development workshops are delivered in a supportive and informal atmosphere, introducing theory in a practical way. Tailored to build on learners pre-existing knowledge, improve teaching confidence and help create exciting and successful courses in preparation for delivery.
Price: £200 (10% Discount available for GRAFT Members ) To help prepare learners to sucessfully run courses and workshops, those attending also recieve editable templates. These include registration forms covering medical information and GDPR statement, media consent, learner conduct, a disclaimer, resource form, course overview and lesson plans.
What to bring: Resources for making notes. A charged laptop or tablet. Packed lunch.
Tutor: Emma Souter
27–31 July 2026 at GRAFT STUDIOS in Sandown on the Isle of Wight
A five-day course for upholsterers, makers and students with previous experience who would like to develop their traditional upholstery practice.
Working in a small group, participants will have the opportunity to focus on particular areas of interest or difficulty within their own work. This might include tick mattresses, squab cushions, springing, stuffing, stitching, edge work, foundations, or other aspects of traditional upholstery.
The week will be practical, responsive and studio-based, with individual guidance, demonstration and discussion throughout. Participants may bring a suitable project or use the time to concentrate on specific techniques.
This is a continuing professional development course and is not suitable for complete beginners.
Tutor: Gareth Rees
Location: GRAFT STUDIOS, North Wing, The Old Town Hall, Grafton Street, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8JJ.
Dates: Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July 2026
Duration: Five consecutive days
Level: Intermediate / CPD
Places: Around six participants
Cost: £525
Participants may bring their own materials. Alternatively, Gareth can supply materials at trade cost.
Before booking, attendees should email Gareth at GRAFT Studios to discuss their previous experience and the project or techniques they would like to work on during the week.
Gareth will introduce attendees to each other in advance of the course, should people wish to arrange car sharing or share accommodation.
For those travelling to the Isle of Wight, there are lots of local hotels nearby or holiday lets to choose from. We recommend Just For You Holiday Homes, https://www.justforyouholidayhomes.co.uk/ They offer 5 star service and can facilitate discounted ferry travel with your accommodation booking.
Outside of your daily tuiton you can explore the Island, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a Unesco Biosphere Reserve. With the longer July days you will be spoilt for choice of beaches to visit, go for an evening dip or catch the sunsets, you might want to round off your trip by staying on for a few more days!
Enquiries please email: graftstudiosiow@gmail.com