Applications Now Open: Free Art & Design Saturday Club for 13-16 year olds
Get creative, make friends and explore your future – all for free!
Over 20 weeks across the autumn and spring terms, you’ll take part in exciting, hands-on workshops led by expert tutors. You’ll explore a range of textile techniques including drawing, colour, felting, printing, weaving, natural dyeing, hand and machine sewing, appliqué and embroidery, while building confidence and making friends with people who share your interests.
The programme is split into two parts;
In Part One, you’ll build creative foundations and practical making skills through the theme ‘Who are we?’. You’ll experiment with materials, techniques and ideas to explore self-expression and identity, creating individual textile outcomes along the way. Students will also have opportunities to share and celebrate their work through mini galleries and showcases.
In Part Two, you’ll build on the skills developed in the first half of the programme to create a large-scale collaborative textile wall hanging for the National Saturday Club Summer Show at Somerset House. Working together as a group, you’ll explore shared themes before developing your own individual panel using techniques such as print, natural dyeing, appliqué, embroidery and weaving. These panels will then come together as one collective artwork.
About your tutor
Ellie is a textiles artist and puppet maker, with a First Class degree in Textile Design from Chelsea College of Arts. Her practice centres around natural dyeing, printed textiles and storytelling. Alongside her creative practice, Ellie teaches Fashion and Textiles at college level and has experience delivering art and textiles projects across a range of educational settings. She is passionate about sustainable textiles and encouraging creativity, experimentation and hands-on making in young people.
As part of the National Saturday Club network, you’ll also have the chance to take part in a Masterclass with industry professionals, visit cultural spaces, meet Hotel Elephant studio members, and celebrate your achievements at the end-of-year Summer Show and graduation.
Whether you’re just starting out or already passionate about art, design and textiles, all abilities are welcome. The Club is relaxed, friendly and completely free, offering a space to unlock your creativity, explore future study and career pathways, and have fun.
Special thanks to our funders: Southwark Council’s Culture Together Grant and the Inspiring Elephant Community Fund, who have made our 2026/27 program possible.
Where?
The former St. John's Primary School,
Larcom Street, London, England, SE17 1NJ
Nearest tube: Elephant & Castle
When?
Saturdays, 10 am - 1 pm
3rd October 2026 - 20th March 2027.
Term time only (Saturday Club does not run during school holidays)
Apply now to join the Club – spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis!
About Hotel Elephant
Hotel Elephant is a not-for-profit workspace provider based in the Elephant & Castle, with over 15 years of experience delivering workspace, exhibitions, events, and educational spaces in our neighbourhood. Our aims are;
Provide and safeguard long-term space for the arts, culture and creative enterprise in London
Support artists and makers to establish and maintain a self-sufficient creative practice
Empower young people to develop their creative skills and inspire the next generation of creative professionals
About National Saturday Club
Across the UK, the National Saturday Club gives 13–16-year-olds the opportunity to study subjects they love for free at their local university, college or cultural institution.
The National Saturday Club programme is free, has no exams and offers 13–16-year-olds a unique opportunity to build their skills, develop their confidence, and discover pathways to further study and future careers.
Club members attend weekly Saturday classes led by expert tutors in their local community and take part in national events throughout the year, including visits to leading cultural institutions, Masterclasses with industry, a Summer Show exhibition of all Club members’ work at London’s prestigious Somerset House, and a Graduation Ceremony.
