Welcome
YarMakers was established as a “dynamic program centred on creativity and resilience, drawing inspiration from Great Yarmouth's rich tradition of skilled craftsmanship, its history of productive industry, and a commitment to ongoing innovation.”
Over the past year, we have seen it develop into a significant platform for connecting people in Great Yarmouth through a diverse range of FREE enriching experiences—workshops, talks, socials, and events. Creative practitioners and residents alike have had the opportunity to explore new activities together, supporting the mutual development of new skills and enhancing existing ones.
This initiative has also allowed us to explore the versatility of PrimeYarc as a space, prompting deeper reflection on its potential as a multi-functional creative hub for the community.
Displayed here is our collective journey: from crafting connections in the community to a focused effort to explore the “Power of Making” and the practical abilities distributed across our communities. These actions enable positive outcomes around agency, equity, need, and curiosity.
As you'll see, YarMakers has been a significant catalyst for experimentation, while also advancing PrimeYarc as a well-equipped creative hub for ongoing exchange and innovation.
Co-design & Collaboration
The programme has been shaped with the invaluable input of participants.
Through regular discussions, we've explored the programme's aims and objectives, ensuring they reflect the needs and aspirations of the community. Together, we've considered how to broaden our reach and deepen our impact, making collaborative decisions on what people want more of, what inspires them, and how best to foster creativity and connection.
This ongoing dialogue has been central to YarMakers, ensuring it remains a dynamic, responsive, and inclusive initiative for Great Yarmouth. Thank you to every one invoved for your dedication, insights, and enthusiasm—you've been instrumental in bringing this vision to life!
Phase #1 Taster Activities
- Getting Ready/ space creation – Kaavous Clayton
- Danish Cord Weaving – Monica Cass
- Papier-mâché Techniques – Sue Parr
- Visible Mending (patches, sashiko and boro) – Kate Harper
- Animation Devices (Phenakistoscopes) – Charlie Ditcham
- Make a Party, PARTY!! – Eva Freeman & Jenny Pengilly (El Warcha Tottenham)
- Sewing Communities – Tracy Brock
- Drawing Your Town – Tom & Tommy
- Gelli Plate Printmaking – Emma Armstrong
- Natural Dyeing Techniques – Ellery Child and Annie Hall
All of these activities have proven to us that having a space to explore creativity, materials and let our imaginations run freely does help to foster new connections, and making together is a powerful way to build community.
Socials
Our socials have brought energy and excitement to PrimeYarc, creating unforgettable moments that celebrate creativity, community, and collaboration.
El Warcha Tottenham
Co-directors Eva Freeman and Jenny Pengilly joined us to share their practice, exploring how they co-create vibrant social spaces and events with communities. Together, we reflected on the role of parties and collective gatherings in our lives, culminating in a fantastic PARTY that brought our ideas to life!
NOKI-NESTT-FEST
We were thrilled to host special guest artist NOKI for a day of fashion freedom with the NOKI-NESTT-FEST. Attendees dove into live screen printing on old branded t-shirts, promoting selfexpression and individuality in contrast to mass-consumer culture.
YarMakers MEGAMIX Weekender
The MEGAMIX Weekender at PrimeYarc was two days of creative fun, featuring free drop-in workshops, craft demos, and tasty food. Visitors tried hands-on activities like gelli printing, totem pole building, and paper bead crafting. A special printmaking workshop walk with Ellery Child took creativity to the streets of Great Yarmouth. This event was part of the Norfolk Makers Festival, celebrating local artists and crafters from across the region.
Phase #2
Regular Workshops
Journeys in Stitch
Led by Tracy Brock
This program began as a 4-week sociable and informal sewing course in Spring 2024. Its success inspired an expanded 8-week creative adventure, offering a welcoming space for both seasoned pros and beginners passionate about sewing and fabric arts.
Participants crafted a beautiful collection of useful, everyday items —designed together to celebrate contemporary lifestyle, leisure, and survival. The group display showcases their joyful, practical creations.
Rubbish Chairs
Led by Kaavous Clayton
This woodworking course transformed remnants from originalprojects; into unique, sustainable furniture pieces.
Using basic household tools and recycled materials, participants explored the art of turning off-cuts into functional and unconventional designs. Whether creating chairs, tables, or unexpected objects, this course celebrated eco-friendly creativity while making furniture with a story.
One-off Workshops
Sign Making: Activism or Promotion
Led by Harry Malt
This one-off workshop embraced the art of visual communication.
Whether for activism, promotion, or practical purposes like a Christmas market stall, participants explored the history of signs, discussing design, format, and context.
The group then designed and painted their own custom signs, each telling a unique story with bold visuals and purpose.
Melting Pot (Clay)
Led by Arainne Waterlow
This one-off hands-on workshop was hosted in the Old Potteries and brought the community together to create a large communal vessel inspired by Great Yarmouth's clay heritage.
Participants shaped and designed the piece collaboratively, incorporating personal inspirations and stories. Smaller “satellite dishes” were also produced by participants allowing for a range of expressions.
The final creations will be on view and serve a community feast during the end-of-season celebrations on December 14th at PrimeYarc.
Evolving Sessions
Community Poster Making (Printmaking)
Led by Ellery Child & Julie Bolus
This workshop delved into the vibrant world of printmaking to craft posters celebrating Great Yarmouth's treasures.
Participants brainstormed messages, derviing a community manifesto (of sorts), and explored techniques like gelli printing, color layering, and collaging. The final stencils were prepared for screenprinting in a future session, culminating in bold, community-driven art.
Curtain Collective (An ongoing project through 2025)
Led by Clare Southern
This collaborative textile project celebrates Great Yarmouth's essence through mixed-media craft. Drawing, dyeing, printmaking, and sewing come together to create a large curtain inspired by the town's iconic features.
The work is enriched with community storytelling, including Gia Mawusi's poem Between Yesterday and Tomorrow, intricately embroidered into the fabric. Contributions are always welcome—join the collective effort to weave Yarmouth's story into art.
Young YarMakers
This term, under-16s have been gathering at PrimeYarc for Young YarMakers, a FREE art club packed with fun, creative activities, and a side of table tennis and delicious snacks!
Each week, our expereinced artitst-educatiors lead a fresh workshop is inspired by gallery exhibitions, the work of our favorite artists, and what's happening around us. From t-shirt design and toy making to pasta-making, upcycling objects, inventing sound-making sculptures, printing, and even bee hive patterns, there's always something exciting to explore.
Next year, we'll be running these sessions again and introducing workshops tailored for older participants aged 12–18.
