The ARC Shed

Contact name: Vanessa Cooper

6
Total bookings

Rating

(4)

over 1 year
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

I am a Certified Decorative Artist and Mixed Media Tutor. My tools of the trade are acrylic paints and a universal medium (fabric hardener) together with complimentary products to create clay, stone and crackle effects. I love teaching people how to create amazing projects using these mediums and I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge and creative skills with you from my home studio and other venues in Warwickshire. Life get busy these days and I don't want anyone to miss out because they can't make a particular date for a workshop. With this in mind, Thursday evenings are now dedicated to my new Club Creative sessions, where you can make any project that takes your fancy, including coming up with your own ideas or designs which I will help you bring to life. Sessions will be held from 7pm-9pm most weeks. So come and join me at one of my scheduled workshops, or on a Thursday evening and let's take some time out to create together. You will be made most welcome and put at ease as I take you through your project step by step.

Courses, kits & gifts

bronze award

LEAMINGTON SPA

Club Creative @ARC Studio

2 hours

Next date: 5th Mar 2026

6 places left

£22.00

bronze award

LEAMINGTON SPA

Garden Plaque-Butterfly

6 hours

Next date: 28th Mar 2026

6 places left

£60.00

bronze award

LEAMINGTON SPA

Garden Plaque-Owl

6 hours

Next date: 14th Mar 2026

6 places left

(1)

£60.00

bronze award

LEAMINGTON SPA

Mixed Media - Journal Cover

4 hours

Next date: 20th Mar 2026

6 places left

£35.00

bronze award

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Wellbeing Wednesdays

3 hours

Next date: 21st Jan 2026

8 places left

£12.00

Recent reviews

All maker's reviews

16 Jun 25'

Bridget reviewed: Garden Plaque-Owl

"What a wonderful day. Vanessa was so welcoming and informative with lots of ideas and assistance but not prescriptive. I was a bit slow to grasp the concept but once you get going, you just let the creativity flow. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful and you felt like you could escape from the everyday pressures. I Highly recommend Vanessa and will definitely be back to do more courses with her."

The ARC Shed responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words Bridget. It was lovely meeting you, and I look forward to creating more with you in the future. Take care. Vanessa x"

11 May 25'

Diana and John reviewed: Canal Roses

"Neither of us are artistic, except for painting large areas - walls! This was a gift for Christmas and since it was quite a distance from home, we both attended the course and made a day of it - seeing Anne Hatherways Cottage, which was next door, after the session. Vanessa was very patient with both of us and we did manage to produce a lovely colourful plaque each. The venue was perfect and Sophie made us drinks and showed us around this new art hub, with plenty of light and airy rooms and the massive garden. They were both very enthusiastic about the place and it's potential. Vanessa provided everything that was needed and was full of encouragement. We are going to try another art session with her at a later date. She is an excellent teacher and full of praise when we managed to correctly do the right paint strokes! At the beginning, she explained about how canal painting was done, always odd numbers of painted flowers/leaves on a piece (never even), the colours used, over painting strokes to give depth and that anyone can paint anything for in or around the house and garden. Thank you for such a lovely experience."

The ARC Shed responded:

"Dear Diana John Thank you for your kind words and such a lovely review. Feedback is always very much appreciated and it was my absolute pleasure to meet you both and teach you the delights of painting canal roses. You created two lovely plaques and the comments on my social media posts all agree, so well done! Keep practicing and I really look forward to seeing you both again in the not too distant future. My very best wishes, Vanessa x"

24 Sep 24'

Joan Smith reviewed: Lennie Lizard - Powertex

"My daughter and I really enjoyed the day. Lots of fun"

The ARC Shed responded:

"I’m so glad you both enjoyed the day! It was lovely to meet you both. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, it’s very much appreciated. Vanessa x"

11 Sep 24'

Amanda Herriott reviewed: Castles & Roses - Painting

"I thoroughly enjoyed Vanessa's workshop. She shared her skill and knowledge with generosity, enthusiasm and was passionate about her craft. It was a pleasure to learn from her and I thoroughly recommend others to try her classes out!"

The ARC Shed responded:

"Hi Mandy, What a lovely review, thank you so much! It was my absolute pleasure to have you and John join me. I can talk for hours about art styles and think of another 100 things I want to show you all, so your own interest and eagerness to learn more made it difficult to contain myself 😂 I'm so glad you both enjoyed the workshop, your finished projects were beautifully executed. Thank you again for the glowing review, I hope to see you both again at a future workshop. All the best, Vanessa"