Welcome to Forge Cottage Children's Art club And Adult Art Studio

Forge Cottage art studio is located in Elmstone, near Preston, Kent.  We are an award winning club run by Mark Mason a full time artist and Alison Rainey a film and television hair and makeup artist. The club opened in April 2012 and has been successfully offering after school art class and holiday tuition in arts and crafts ever since. We offer 6, 1hr and 45 minute classes per week of tuition and each is designed for all ages between 7 and 17.  

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We also offer adult art classes on Wednesday mornings, 10am - 12.00pm, Thursday mornings 10am - 12.00pm and Tuesday evenings 6.30pm - 8.30pm.  Basic art materials are provided as well as halftime refreshments. These classes are fun and relaxed and cater for all ages and abilities.

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All materials are provided and we offer refreshments at halftime. The studio is set in 1.2 acres of gated gardens and has ample free parking. The club, grounds and tutors are fully insured with their own public liability insurance and enhanced DBS. Please email us on forgecottageartclub@outlook.com for current availability or click on our Book a class but for further information.

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In April 2020 we launched our online content and classes can be viewed on our Facebook page or on our brand new you tube channel. Forge Cottage art club

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Our Children's Classes

For all children from the ages of

 7 - 17 years of age 

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• Tuesday 4.15pm - 6.00pm

• Wednesday 5.15 - 7.00pm 

• Thursday 4.30pm - 6.15pm

• Saturdays

• 09.30 am - 11.15 am

• 2.00pm - 3.45pm

• 4.15 pm - 6.00 pm

• Adult art classes

• Tuesday Evenings 6.30pm - 8.30pm

• Wednesday mornings 10am - 12pm

• Thursday mornings 10am - 12pm

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STUDIOS and Garden

ART STUDIO

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The art studio building itself has been a Blacksmith forge since the Victorian times, built circa 1844, however, there has been a forge on the site since at least 1588 in the reign of Queen Elizabeth the 1st. It would have been rebuilt at least once over the years. The land and was owned by Juliana De Leybourne, The Infanta of Kent, a medieval Countess who passed away in 1367. When she passed away without heirs it went to the crown and was then held by the reigning King Edward III. It was held by the crown for another 200 years and then given along with its attached Manor named Elmerstone Mannor to a Simon Lynch. He rented out the land, forge and dwellings to Gabriel Drayson in 1588.  There has been a steady succession of tenants over the last 430 years or so and ultimately being rebuilt by  John Baker Field in 1844.  In 2011 it was converted into the art studio as it is today.  The studio consists of main class room and separate kitchen area and toilet  and waiting area for parents.  The gardens on the outside are fenced and gated where parents are welcome to sit whilst the club is in session.