Contemporary Crafts Courses in London
City Lit is the place to develop your craft. Throughout the year, we offer classes in Basketry, Bookbinding, Calligraphy and Mosaics. We have a range of courses to suit our students at every level — from introductory courses for curious beginners, to advanced long courses if you are a professional and you want to develop your practice.
Our studios are perfectly equipped which allows us to create engaging and interactive courses for you. All our tutors are experienced crafters, designers, and makers in their own fields. So as a City Lit student, you’ll get the benefit of learning from their working knowledge.
Our courses also make use of the City Lit Design and Digital lab creating craft courses with a digital element to explore the possibilities of working with traditional craft. Many of our courses are delivered online, offering more accessibility for learners.
We host exhibitions throughout the year at City Lit Gallery where our students showcase their amazing work.
- Try it out calligraphy: formal and modern
Course start date: Sat 14 Feb 2026Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharon ShawWould you like to find out about the difference between formal calligraphy and modern calligraphy? Come along to this session and have a go at writing both styles. Beginners and improvers welcome.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Willow basketry: zig zag basket Course start date: Mon 16 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katie PriceExplore the possibilities of the ‘zig zag weave’ in willow basketry. We will produce samples of the weave, and use these practices to create a modern functional round basket.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Pocket bindings: books with reusable covers Course start date: Wed 18 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nesta DaviesCreate two attractive, functional books which slip neatly into bespoke covers. Internal pockets mean the books can be removed and a replaced with new ones when full. Beautifully reusable wrapping!Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £299.00 - Calligraphy for beginners and improvers Course start date: Fri 20 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharon ShawLearn and develop calligraphy skills on this beginners and improvers course. You will practice with a range of pens and papers, and create a finished example using a favourite quotation. Advice will be given on tools and materials. Suitable for left or right handers.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Calligraphy: illumination and gilding Course start date: Tue 24 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Emiko HashiguchiLearn how to apply gold leaf with various gilding sizes and decorate letters with gouache and watercolour. Suitable for those who are new to illumination as well as those with some experience.
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Calligraphy after work Course start date: Thu 26 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ivo GrantinsLearn the principles and explore the essential steps of calligraphy using a range of tools and techniques to create an individual piece. Suitable for beginners as well as improvers, left or right handers welcome.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Bookbinding: 5 projects for beginnersCourse start date: Thu 26 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alessia TumbioloA five-day introductory course to bookbinding with an exciting range of graded projects. Come armed with enthusiasm and walk away with a stack of small books and a heap of information on materials, tools and techniques.
Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00 - Visible stitches, spectacular spines: experiments in exposed sewing Course start date: Fri 27 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alessia TumbioloExplore the creative possibilities of visible sewing in bookbinding through structure and materials. Experiment with wrapping, folding and piercing to produce a set of books where the spine is the star!Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Basketry techniques for contemporary craft makers Course start date: Wed 11 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John PageIf you are looking to learn a number of basketry techniques to use on your professional contemporary craft practice, this is the course for you.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Sewn boards and drum leaf bindings for book arts Course start date: Mon 16 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettThese book forms are great for making artists’ books and books with content, as they both open flat with little or no restriction at the spine fold. Come and make some models to experiment with, or bring some artwork with you and use this to produce two versatile and creative structures. Some experience of sewing multi-section books will be helpful but not essential.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Try it out: bookbinding Course start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate RochesterDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Try it out calligraphy: modern copperplate Course start date: Mon 30 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksThis short workshop will guide you through the basics of Modern Copperplate Calligraphy. Once the art form of expert craftsman, calligraphy is now a popular creative outlet, flexible enough to reflect the personality, style, and creativity of every individual. Everyone can learn it and have a lot of fun while doing so! Suitable for left-handers and right-handers.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Try it out: basketry Course start date: Wed 1 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John PageMake a small basket using the interesting basketry technique of Plaiting which is used throughout the world.
Be amazed by the potential of plaited basketry which will leave you wanting to learn more.
This course is ideal for beginners, or students wishing to refresh basic bias plaited basketry techniques.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Elegant capitals in modern calligraphy Course start date: Sun 12 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksCapital letters are the jewels of calligraphy - bold, graceful, and endlessly expressive. This course invites you to master the art of elegant capitals, blending technical precision with creativity to elevate your calligraphic work. Whether you are looking to refine your skills or bring a modern edge to traditional forms, this six-week class offers the perfect space to experiment, practise, and create beautiful capital letterforms.
Full fee £459.00 Senior fee £367.00 Concession £298.00 - Calligraphy: modern copperplate Course start date: Mon 13 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to write elegant letterforms using a pointed pen with ink. Once you have learnt how to write a basic copperplate alphabet, we will begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers, and both left-handers and right-handers.Full fee £459.00 Senior fee £367.00 Concession £298.00
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