Gosforth’s newest creative space – The Hut on the Green – has been proving a popular hit in the community since opening in September 2024.
Housed within the former Ladies Bowling Club Pavilion nestled in Gosforth’s Central Park, The Hut on the Green is a creative arts and teaching space for people to explore, learn and create through a diverse range of classes, workshops and events.
Ran by Nick James and his wife Bronwen Deane-James, the project has been developed by Mushroom Works and aims not only to enrich lives but also strengthen the cultural fabric of Gosforth and the wider region – which they say has long been in need of more creative opportunities.
The Hut aims to fill the gap by becoming a centre of cultural value and artist exchange. With classes specialising in arts and crafts to gardening and horticulture, the range of programmes on offer cater to people of all skill levels and interests.
Speaking on how The Hut has been received by locals since opening, Nick said: “The hut had been empty for 15 years and there was previously lots of talk of what it could have been turned into.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
“So now it’s been turned into a really useful and creative outlet, the community are really thankful. Bookings for the new year are already filling up fast.”
“It brings people in connection through a shared experience”, Nick explains, adding: “Life drawing classes are two hours and during the half way point people stop for tea and they’re chatting so much it’s hard to get them back to drawing. It’s good to offer that connection through a nice activity.”
The hut has also opened the doors for more creative opportunities which the pair say they ‘couldn’t have imagined’ before staring.
The classes and programmes include regular and weekly art classes, life drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, print making, woodwork, sewing, basket weaving and sign writing.
Whilst the gardening and ecology programme hosts classes in garden design, introduction to horticulture and even a popular worms and wine talk, with classes designed for both beginners and advanced skill levels.
Bronwen who is also a gardener explained: “It’s become so popular and has been really well received by the community. People have been really pleased this is happening on their doorstep.”
(Image: The Hut on the Green)
The Hut also runs a kids woodwork club called ‘woodpeckers’ that has proven so popular it is now oversubscribed. The group teaches nine to fourteen year-olds how to swing an axe, sharper a knife to carve spoons and sculpt woodwork.
Coming from a woodwork background, Nick a furniture maker added: “It’s an antidote from modern life. Learning traditional skills and working with your hands is a great benefit to mental health. In this post-covid era not often would you see something of people being part of something together.”
“Someone quoted to me that The Hut is a ‘physical manifestation of Tik Tok’, where here instead of just watching people do crafts, they can actually come along and print, weave a basket or paint themselves.”
With new classes commencing from January 6, 2025, The Hut on the Green is set to host a range of new courses including the likes of an interesting Fermentation Workshop on how unlock the secrets to the ancient food preservation technique, as well as an additional kids art and craft club.
Nick Jokes: “There’s much more fun to be had at the Hut than signing up to the gym in January and only going once!”
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The pair also have lots of plans for the new year including a new look complete with bespoke wood furniture and a mural on the outside by local Newcastle artist Prefab77, which Bronwen says will give an indication of what goes on inside.
Looking ahead to summer 2025, Nick explains the Hut will be on the lookout for more creative opportunities, and plans to work alongside Friends of Gosforth Park and Gosforth Shopping Centre to host talks and lectures on cinematography in connection with the film festival on the park green.
For more information on upcoming courses and classes and how to book a place, visit The Hut on the Green website.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gosforths-newest-creative-space-hut-30652842
