Mary Ward Centre - Changing Lives Together

Congratulations to Mary Ward Centre student Jane Shepherdson on her recent exhibition successes!

One of Jane's artworks was exhibited at the Tower Gallery in May, and another has been selected for the Contemporary Printmaking Prize 2026 exhibition at the Fen Ditton Gallery. The exhibition showcases 40 original prints chosen from more than 500 submissions from artists across the UK.

We're delighted to see Jane's creative practice gaining recognition and are proud to celebrate her achievement!

Looking ahead to September?

Our September 2026 courses will be available to view and enrol online from 9am on Tuesday 16 June. There will be plenty of opportunities to learn something new and develop your skills.

Stay tuned and be among the first to secure your place.

Due to reports of potential violent disruption in stratford, all classes this evening (10 June) have been cancelled and Mary Ward Centre is now closed.

The safety of our learners, visitors and staff is our priority.
For enquiries, please email [email protected]
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

We're delighted to celebrate the success of our ESOL learner Yana Chernikova, whose talent and dedication have been recognised with the acceptance of two paintings into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Yana will have two artworks featured in one of the world's most renowned open-submission exhibitions – a remarkable achievement for any artist.

Yana's success is a wonderful example of how creativity can flourish alongside language learning. Through her commitment to both her studies and her artistic practice, she has achieved something truly special.

We're incredibly proud of Yana and wish her every success as she shares her work with a wider audience.

Congratulations, Yana.

Looking for something creative to do at the weekend?

Join a ceramics course at Mary Ward and discover the joy of working with clay in a welcoming and friendly environment. Whether you're coming with friends, family, or on your own, it's a great way to slow down, try something new, and make something uniquely yours.

Perfect for beginners, you'll explore a range of ceramic techniques, develop practical skills, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating by hand. From shaping and decorating to experimenting with different finishes, each session offers the chance to learn, create, and have fun.

Come along, get your hands dirty, and see where your creativity takes you.

Curious about resin jewellery?

Join our Resin Jewellery course and explore colour, texture, and creativity through resin. Experiment with pigments, dried flowers, glitter, and found objects to create your own unique jewellery pieces — perfect to wear, gift, or keep as a little piece of art.

No experience needed — just bring your imagination.

Love fashion, sewing, or making things from scratch? ✂️✨

Our Pattern Cutting courses starting this June are the perfect introduction to understanding how clothes are designed, shaped and constructed. Learn how to create and adapt patterns, understand garment structure, and turn your ideas into wearable pieces.

Whether you dream of making your own clothes, creating cosplay costumes, tailoring unique outfits, or exploring a future in fashion and costume design, pattern cutting gives you the skills to bring your ideas to life. It’s also a great way to become more confident with sewing and understand how garments really fit the body.

Start designing beyond the high street and create something truly your own.

Still considering getting back into art? A 6-week course might be the perfect place to start.

Our Painting: Colour course explores colour theory, paint, collage and pastels in a supportive and creative studio environment. Suitable for adventurous beginners as well as more experienced artists looking to experiment and develop their practice.

Tutor Anna has extensive experience teaching beginners, so don’t hesitate if you are completely new to painting — or if you currently focus on drawing and would like to explore colour for the first time.

Expect colour mixing, expressive techniques, creative risk-taking and plenty of inspiration along the way.

📍 Stratford
🗓 Thursdays, 10am–1pm
⏳ 6 weeks

Ready to take the next step in counselling?

Our Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is designed for learners who want to develop their practice in a thoughtful, supportive environment. You’ll learn in small groups, with space to reflect, practise, and receive personalised feedback from experienced tutors.

Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience, deepen your self-awareness, and build the skills needed to work ethically with clients — all while being part of a community that supports your growth. An Advanced Learner Loan is available to help make professional training more accessible.

Applications for Level 4 are now open. Visit our website for full course details and how to apply.

Can’t make it to us? You can still join us.

Our Lunch and Learn history courses are short, bite-sized online sessions designed to fit into your day — just enough time to discover something fascinating over lunch.

This time, we’re exploring the surprisingly intriguing story of toilets. From the work of Joseph Bazalgette to the history of sanitation in London, it’s a fun way to uncover how everyday things have shaped the city we live in.

Two one-hour online sessions, plenty of curiosity, and no travel required.
Grab the last chance to join Caryle for a fun session.

🗓️ Tuesday, 12:30 – 13:30, starting 12 May
📍 Online
👤 Caryle Webb-Ingall