Saturday 20th September
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Still life drawing workshop inspired by Eularia Clarke’s painting The Five Thousand, part of the Methodist Modern Art Collection

From 5th September to 12th October, South Square Centre will be displaying work from the Methodist Modern Art Collection, part of the Everything Is Connected collection tour. Other venues in Bradford, such as St James Church and Bradford Cathedral, are also displaying work from the collection and will be linked by an art trail.

To celebrate having a selection of paintings from the Methodist Modern Art Collection we are running a Still Life Drawing Workshop responding to the painting in their collection, The Five Thousand, by Eularia Clarke.

Taking inspiration from the picnic style scene, we will set up a dinner table in the centre of the Community Room, where the paintings from the collection will be displayed. The workshop will be led by Zoe Maxwell, a local artist, and she will guide the group through different timed sketches and prompts.

The workshop will be 2 hours long, with sketches starting at 1 minute, eventually building to a 30 minute detailed drawing. For the last 30 minutes of the session we will invite participants to sit and share a snack together, with cake provided by our on site cafe, Plenty At The Square.

We will be joined by the Methodist Modern Art Collection Resident Artist, Imogen Joyce, and Resident Writer, Becky Cherriman who will be taking inspiration from the workshop to inform their residency outcome.

BOOK NOW via Eventbrite, or by popping into South Square.

South Square is delighted to be part of the Bradford 2025 Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.

Here is a list of events we will be holding onsite at South Square on Saturday 20th September.

Still Life Drawing Workshop – 10am – 12pm

To celebrate having a selection of paintings from the Methodist Modern Art Collection we are running a Still Life Drawing Workshop responding to the painting in their collection, The Five Thousand, by Eularia Clarke.

Taking inspiration from the picnic style scene, we will set up a dinner table in the centre of the Community Room, where the paintings from the collection will be displayed. The workshop will be led by Zoe Maxwell, a local artist, and she will guide the group through different timed sketches and prompts.

Free – Click here to book

Mapping Bradford’s History– Talk 1pm – 2pm

Join the Historic Towns Trust to celebrate the city of Bradford through mapping its history.

The talk is about the Historic Towns Trust’s An Historical Map of Bradford publication, which shows the fascinating history of the city centre, and the two conservation areas of Manningham and Little Germany. The map is built on extensive research, drawing information from many archaeological and historical resources, brought together to show the historical development of the city. 

The talk will highlight how we create our maps, how we delivered our Bradford project and share the stories and learnings that the publication has uncovered, which are surprising even its authors in creating a new and more detailed narrative of Bradford’s history. 

As well as the talk, there will be a stall, activities and a small exhibition space, giving more detail about the project, with the opportunity to purchase the publication along with other maps produced by the Historic Towns Trust.

Free, no ticket required

Mary Sykes: The Untold Story of a Bradford Witch – 2:15pm – 3pm

The year is 1649. The aftermath of the Civil War hangs over Bradford. When a child is troubled by terrifying visions, and local livestock are mysteriously killed, suspicion falls on a woman from Bowling: her neighbours are convinced she’s a witch. Join historian, Cat Stiles, as we explore the true story of Mary Sykes to understand more about witch trials in the seventeenth century, and what it really meant to be called a witch.

Cat Stiles (she/her) is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Bristol. Her PhD thesis explores representations of female-presenting monsters in 17^th century culture with a focus on gender, sexuality, and the monstrous body. Her work on Mary Sykes forms part of a larger project that will explore the untold stories of accused witches in Yorkshire.

Free – no ticket required

Saturday 4th October
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Led by artist and painter Alicja Mrozowska, this 2-hour session invites you to experiment with a playful approach to oil painting. Working with a range of prompts and unlikely materials, you will be encouraged to express, play, and develop your own creative responses.

Alicja’s practice often blends personal experience with broader social themes. In this workshop, she shares her intuitive, process-led approach, helping you discover new ways of building images and narratives.

We’ll begin with a series of short exercises, gradually moving into longer painting sessions. There is no pressure for a polished outcome as this is a space to explore and respond freely, allowing ideas to develop naturally through the act of making.

This workshop is suitable for adults of all levels of experience, including complete beginners. All materials will be provided.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

Tickets via Eventre do come with an additional booking fee. To avoid this, you can book in person at South Square, Thornton, Bradford BD13 3LD

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

Play with clay! Join us in our kids clay workshop led by artist Sophia Matty – £15

Sophia is a Leeds based ceramic artist and has lots of experience teaching from various pottery studios. She uses handbuilding technqiues to make sculptural yet functional works out of clay.

In this workshop you will explore different hand building techniques to create your own work of clay. All materials will be provided, with a variety of tools to help you sculpt away.

Suitable for ages 6 -14 years.

Child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, but they are invited to stay in an adjoining room and can grab a drink from the cafe onsite.

BOOK NOW via Eventbrite – £15

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LD.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

Come and create some stunning art from your juice cartons or Tetra Pak. You’ll be guided through each step of the process by artist Annie Fforde – Just £5 a ticket.

We’ll be drawing into the surface with sharp points (such as pen nibs, pencils etc), inking up with coloured inks and printing in our small presses. You can take your creations home.

A stunning and easy to follow way to make art!

Suitable for ages 6+

Child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, but they are invited to stay in an adjoining room and can grab a drink from the cafe onsite.

BOOK NOW via Eventbrite – £5

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LD.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

Come and create some stunning art from your juice cartons or Tetra Pak. You’ll be guided through each step of the process by artist Annie Fforde – Just £5 a ticket.

We’ll be drawing into the surface with sharp points (such as pen nibs, pencils etc), inking up with coloured inks and printing in our small presses. You can take your creations home.

A stunning and easy to follow way to make art!

Suitable for ages 6+

Child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, but they are invited to stay in an adjoining room and can grab a drink from the cafe onsite.

BOOK NOW via Eventbrite – £5

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LD.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!