#UnwrapArt 2025: Courses and Workshops
#UnwrapArt is SCAN’s annual campaign inviting the public to support Scotland’s artists and makers while buying gifts and experiences that loved ones will treasure. Our final gift guide for 2025 highlights the range of hands-on workshops and courses delivered by our members across Scotland. A workshop place is an ideal gift for a loved one who enjoys making something of their own, and booking directly supports not only the host organisations, but the freelance creatives who deliver the workshops. We’ve included picks at every price point, suitable for both complete beginners and more experienced artisans.
Print your own tote bag with Print Clan, Glasgow
This fun entry-level screenprinting workshop covers making a own design, preparing it for print, and immortalising it on a cotton tote bag using vivid coloured ink. It’s ideal for someone with no experience in printmaking who wants a hands-on try – and they will leave the session with their own bespoke bag to wear with pride.
£25
Sessions in January, February and March
printclan.co.uk
Cyanotype workshop at Hugo Burge Foundation, Duns
Suitable for beginners, this one-day class teaches the basics of cyanotype, an alternative eco-friendly photography method with lots of potential for creative interpretation. All materials are provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring along small, flat objects – like leaves, dried flowers, lace or keys – that could cast interesting shadows.
£30
23 January
hugoburgefoundation.org
Visible mending at Forgan Arts Centre
This workshop is the perfect meeting of practicality and aesthetics, combining clothes repair with techniques of darning and sashiko stitching. Attendees will be encouraged to create visible mends that celebrate the history of the garment they have brought with them, from a holey pair of socks to a well-worn jacket.
£34
21 February
forganartscentre.co.uk
Relief Printing at Soulisquoy Printmakers, Stromness
Taking place over four weekly sessions, this course introduces the methods of three types of relief printing – lino, woodcut and letterpress – with attendees experimenting to create their own prints. It’s great value for a multi-date course, and ideal for those with no previous printmaking experience.
£95
January–February
soulisquoy.co.uk
Introduction to Wood Engraving at DCA, Dundee
This day-long course offers a great introduction to creating prints from wood engravings.
Attendees will use traditional engraving tools to create their designs, which will be used to make repeat patterns on Japanese papers. They’ll leave the class with a small collection of repeat pattern prints, as well as the wood engravings to keep printing from in future.
£130
18 January
dca.org.uk
Analogue Possibilities at Stills, Edinburgh
This intermediate four-week course takes an expanded look at the possibilities of analogue photography. Conventional materials will be used in conjunction with non-conventional techniques including bas relief printing, cameraless photography, and various methods for pushing and pulling film, with emphasis placed on the transformative potential of darkroom work.
£245
February–March
stills.org
Follow the campaign and tag your contemporary art gift tips on social media at #UnwrapArt