Tish Creative School, based at Elcot Park, Marlborough is getting ready to open its doors to students young and old for craft classes. From next week, September 7, the School will be offering after school clubs for children 8-11 and 11-14 together with evening classes for adults.
Owner and founder of the School, Tia Shortall told Marlborough.news, “I’m incredibly proud to launch Tish Creative School and I’m looking forward to sharing it with the Marlborough community.
It’s been tough trying to build a business during lockdown, but in some ways it’s exactly the right time. Now more than ever children and adults are looking for ways to enrich their learning experience and get hands on.
I wanted to create a freeing and fun space that helps kids and adults to tune into their curious, creative sides. Tish is something quite unique in that it spans craft tuition, children’s activity provision and education – I’m not sure there’s anything like it.
Tia Shortall, owner of Tish Creative School working with students in the summer holidays Students with their up-cycled clothes
We’ve got Autumn classes, Halloween holiday camp and a huge Christmas calendar planned so it’s really a very exciting time.”
Tia, a Cambridge University graduate whose background is in business and marketing, grew up in Marlborough and attended St John’s. Her marketing experience led to an interest in design which in turn encouraged her to build her skills in sewing and jewellery making. For many years she has worked as a children’s coach at the Moonrakers Roller Skating Club based at Marlborough Leisure Centre.
Tia says, “The School has been founded on a philosophy of providing freedom to explore and create in small groups with lots of expertise on hand. The classes and courses on offer combine a wide range of different crafty techniques with quirky activity ideas to create activities that are fantastically fun. Participants have opportunities to learn to sew, make jewellery, junk model, make cosmetics – and much more.
Autumn courses include ‘Making Magic for Muggles’ for young Harry Potter lovers, ‘Reuse & Refashion’ which teaches older children techniques to upcycle clothes and textiles, and Handmade Gifts for the very organised adults out there already preparing for Christmas!
I believe that everyone – no matter their age – can learn to embrace their creative side. It takes a little bit of courage on your part and a lot of glitter on ours, so why not have a bash?”
Courses start from £80 for a 7-week course of 1.5-hour sessions in the studio at Elcot Park, a Covid-safe environment. Places are still available to book for courses starting in September. Children can be collected from St Mary’s School. Tish Creative School also offers to host birthday parties. For more information about what’s on offer, visit the website by clicking here
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