The Hidden Gem Art Studio Whitefield
A Multi Award-Winning Independent Art Studio Teaching All Manner Of Art, Pottery & Craft
Established in 2009
What We Do
We are a multi award-winning art studio, with 17 years experience, that runs daily, term-time children’s classes for 7-19 year olds and now, additionally, adult classes on Wednesday evenings!
We pride ourselves on a gentle and nurturing environment in the studio, which is a safe space that provides a therapeutic and educational retreat for children and adults alike.
During the holidays we often run workshops and courses for adults and children.
Check the ‘Events’ section to see what’s on! You’ll not only get information about these, but the option to purchase a ticket(s) and secure your place(s) too!
** We are a “by appointment only” studio and your place is indefinitely and exclusively reserved for you each week on your chosen day and time.
** If you do not have a pre-booked appointment, a scheduled class or are not an already registered student please do NOT visit the studio. We are on private property and our priority is to keep our staff and students safe. Instead, please use the ‘Contact Form’ below to get in touch.
** Lessons cost just £12.50 for the hour. This includes all materials, stock & tuition.
** Although parents are asked to not stay with their child, there is a little area in which to sit and reassure a nervous new starter, which is just a few feet from the studio itself. Details of this are in the ‘Garden Room’ section of the website.
The daily classes are unstructured to allow for creative flow - this means that every student can work on their own individual project. No set themes, no competition, no restrictions!
These can be extremely varied and diverse.
There’s no need to bring expensive materials along as the studio is fully stocked with every conceivable art product.
A small example of the areas we cover are:
~ Sculpting, Pottery & Ceramic Art
~ Needlework & Needle-Felting
~ Embroidery
~ Fabric Art & Sewing
~ Fine Art
~ Drawing Techniques
~ Painting Skills
~ Mixed Media
~ And now introducing: Pryography (Wood Burning)
~ Lino Printing
These are just a few of the activities ….. the list is truly endless!
** The studio is fully stocked with all manner of art products and these are available to all students.
** Every completed piece is yours to keep.
** Each class has a maximum of eight students attending to ensure everyone receives the guidance and support they need.
Classes not only provide a vital creative outlet and freedom of expression, but are also therapeutic and additionally, a good way to form friendships and bonds with likeminded people.
** Art therapy is also an enormous help with various anxiety disorders, depression, autism & ADHD
The timetables for the daily classes are listed below.
We look forward to welcoming you into our little creative community!
** TEACHERS ARE FULLY INSURED & DRB CHECKED
SUNDAY: 11:00am-12:00pm & 12:00pm-1:00pm
MONDAY: 5:00pm-6:00pm & 6:00pm-7:00pm
TUESDAY: 5:00pm-6:00pm & 6:00pm-7:00pm
WEDNESDAY: 5:00pm-6:00pm & 6:00pm-7:00pm ADULT CLASS: 7:30pm-9:00pm
THURSDAY: 5:00pm-6:00pm & 6:00pm-7:00pm
FRIDAY: 5:00pm-6:00pm & 6:00pm-7:00pm
SATURDAY: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Services
These work in the same way as the younger classes - a completely open studio where you can create your own piece at your own pace, with a huge selection of different art materials, all of which are at your disposal.
Whether you want to partake in pottery & ceramics, drawing development, fabric art or honing your painting skills etc... the choice is yours!
* No set themes
* No need to bring along expensive equipment
* No competition or judgement
* Small, cosy classes of six
From a complete novice to an experienced artist, come and take a break from the demands and stresses of life and immerse yourself in your own personal project in a relaxed atmosphere.
Sessions are only £20 pp for 1.5 hours of therapeutic creativity.
Firing & glazing incur a small additional cost of just £5
Booking is via email (please see the 'Contact' section by scrolling down) and is subject to availability.
About
The studio, set within the garden of a listed building and a conservation area in the heart of Whitefield, has been teaching students, from young to old, all manner of arts and crafts for over seventeen years.
As a professional artist, potter and teacher, I have watched many of my students progress from little children with sticky, gluey fingers, flourish into proficient and capable artists, and into young adults who have gone on to have successful careers in art.
I am a mother of four and have experience with teaching Special Needs, small children and the elderly. My own daughter is Autistic. We have a menagerie of animal family members (our beloved dog and six cats) and the cats are sometimes outside by the studio during warmer months and love being fussed by visiting students!
My own background lies very firmly within art. My Mother had a large and successful art studio right in the centre of Manchester. She was well known and highly thought of. She was the designer behind many of the signs, logos and iconic brand name designs recognised world-wide. I grew up surrounded by creativity and talent. My first exhibition was at the age of six and I then went on to paint and sell my watercolours and ceramic pieces in adulthood.
Art is not a luxury - it's a vital and natural part of human nature. One of our first instincts (after our immediate needs of food, water and rest) is to create. Early man daubed designs and patterns on their dwelling places and tiny children are compelled to make marks. It's an essential part of who we are. This philosophy and belief was the driving force behind embarking upon teaching for me. Art, sadly, is often overlooked as a crucial subject within the majority of schools nowadays. My own children's lack of guidance within school prompted my journey and determination to encourage students to be able to have a creative outlet, explore mediums, gain and develop skills, hone talent, boost self esteem and well-being. It’s also an enormous help with soothing anxiety disorders and depression.
Please feel welcome to browse the extensive galleries, follow my various social media pages and to contact me if you wish to enquire further.
Thank you for reading!
Amanda xx
The Garden Room
Its purpose is for parents to stay on hand if your child is a nervous new starter, but without the issues of sitting in on the class itself.
Due to the lack of space in the studio and the fact that an unknown adult can be rather disconcerting to any other students attending, we thought this was the ideal solution.
Relax, read a book, listen the birdsong and the happy sounds emanating from the studio and rest assured that your budding artist is in the safest of hands.
A furry throw/blanket is on hand to snuggle under and there’s also the option of purchasing a hot chocolate (or two) from the studio at just £1 a cup!
Features
Awards
In 2022 I was completely surprised by being awarded a prize after being nominated for services to the local community. It was an absolute honour and one of my most treasured moments. Last year (2024) I was thrilled to receive the Quality Business Award and given the title of the “Best Art School”. Again, an absolute honour. I’m extremely proud to say that we’ve just been awarded the Quality Business Award for the “Best Art School” category for 2025! Thrilled and grateful.
Articles
Exhibition Gallery
Events
A three hour, kiln-fired pottery course. Your first visit will be to create your piece(s), which will then be bisque fired. The second visit is to refine and decorate/glaze your piece(s), which will then have its firing and be ready for collection. - Tickets cover two dates, a week apart. - Adults and children welcome. *Tickets are non-refundable*Read More
- Date:08/08/2025 03:30 PM - 21/08/2025 03:30 PM
- Location
Past Events
| Title | Date | Day | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Pottery Course | 02 Dec 2023 | Saturday | |
| Mini Pottery Course | 22 Oct 2023 | Sunday | Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester, UK |
Pottery Kit Shop
Contact
- Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester, England, United Kingdom
- +44-01617962408 - The Hidden Gem Art Studio Whitefield
- hiddengemstudiowhitefield@gmail.com
- Sunday 11:00am-12:00pm and 12:00pm-1:00pm Monday 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm Tuesday 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm Wednesday 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm Adult class: 7:30pm-9:00pm Thursday 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00-7:00pm Friday 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00-7:00pm Saturday 12:00-1:00pm
