Hotel Elephant launches a free Art & Design Saturday Club for local 13–16-year-olds

Times: 10 am - 1 pm

Part 1: Weekly on Saturday, 8th November - 13th December

Part 2: Weekly on Saturday, early February - March/April 2026 (exact dates TBC shortly)

As part of the National Saturday Club network, local young people can now apply to join the Art & Design Saturday Club at Hotel Elephant. The programme starts in early November 2025 and will offer a unique opportunity to explore creativity, build skills and discover potential career paths in the textiles and creative industries.

About the club:
Do you want to enrich your design and making skills in the world of sustainable textiles? Join us for a 15-week program taking place in two parts in the Autumn and Spring terms, where you will be taught by educational tutors from industry to enhance your creativity, confidence and skills in Textiles.

Part 1: Starting in early November, students will collaborate and make an inspirational wall-hanging that will promote eco-sustainable messages. They will use a variety of textile materials, techniques and processes, exploring print, appliqué, embroidery and upcycled fabric/ plastic manipulation. 

Part 2: Starting in early February 2026, students will develop their design ideas and making skills to create an upcycled garment or accessory outcome for a group collection.

Throughout the 15-week program, students will get the opportunity to meet the creative professionals working in our studios, who will share insights into what it's like working within the creative industries. This could include studio visits and demonstrations from studio members who work within the fashion, costume and textiles fields. In addition, students will participate in three national events as part of the National Saturday Club network. These events are free and include the Visit, a group visit to a cultural institution, the Masterclass, a masterclass delivered by an industry professional from the creative industries, culminating in the Summer Show and graduation, where students will come together to celebrate their achievements and showcase their work to friends and family. 

Special thanks to the Inspiring Elephant Fund, whose valuable support has enabled us to launch the 2025/26 club.

Who can apply?

Any young person aged 13-16 years old. For young people looking to complete the application form themselves, please ensure you do so with the knowledge of your parent/guardian/carer

How to apply?

Please visit saturday-club.org/club/hotel-elephant/ for more details and to apply to join.

Places will be allocated in the Autumn term. 

About your Tutor

The program will be delivered by Debra Boxall, a freelance textile designer with 20 years of experience and a secondary school teacher of Design Technology, Art and Design, who has 14 years of experience planning, designing, and delivering projects for:- Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 in London. Debra is passionate about sustainability in Textiles/fashion and champions innovation and creativity in young people.

Key dates and timings;

The club will run for three hours, 10 am - 1 pm, on Saturdays during term time. The program will offer a total of 15 sessions, which will include 12 taught workshop sessions, plus 3 external visits as part of the National Saturday Club Network. 

Part one: 8th November - 13th December 2025

Part two: early February - March/April 2026 (exact dates TBC shortly)

Key contact information:

Email: workshops@hotelelephant.co.uk 

Phone: 02038574826

For press enquiries, please email: press@hotelelephant.co.uk

You can download the full press release HERE