About The Art Shed

The Art Shed is a not for profit community creative studio in the heart of Berkhamsted. We open our doors in June 2026 with a simple belief: that creativity belongs to everyone, not just those with experience, confidence or money to spare.Founded by two passionate local artists, The Art Shed grew out of a shared frustration with how inaccessible creative spaces can be. We wanted somewhere genuinely welcoming – a place where you can turn up as you are, try something new, and find your people along the way.Our workshops are small, friendly and led by experienced instructors. No prior experience is needed for anything we offer. Whether you’re looking for a new skill, a regular reason to get out of the house, or simply an hour or two doing something just for you, there’s a place for you here.Everyone is welcome – and we mean that.We operate a subsidised places model because we believe cost should never be a barrier to taking part. Paid workshops fund reduced price places for people on lower incomes or referred to us through social prescribing pathways. If you’re unsure whether this applies to you, just get in touch – we’ll always do our best to find a way to make it work.You’ll find us at Park Street, Berkhamsted, HP4 1HX.We’d love to see you.

Squeeze the Day — Botanical Painting with Amelia

No experience? No problem. This is the perfect excuse to grab a friend, pour a glass of something fizzy and discover you’re more creative than you think.In this two-hour session, you’ll paint your choice of a sun-drenched lemon or orange botanical directly onto a painted wooden frame board — bold, beautiful and ready to hang on your wall the moment you walk out the door. Your instructor Amelia will guide you through every brushstroke, so even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, you’ll leave with something you’re genuinely proud of.All materials provided. All abilities welcome. Good company guaranteed.£50 per person | 2 hours | Suitable for complete beginners.
Concession places available at £25 – please get in touch to arrange.

Clay Dishes — A Hand-Building Workshop with Michelle

There’s something quietly magical about making something with your hands. In this two-hour beginners session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of hand-building with clay and create your own collection of organic, sculptural dishes – the kind that look like they belong in a ceramics boutique.You’ll choose your own style and make it your own, guided by Michelle every step of the way. No experience needed, just a willingness to get your hands dirty.Once you’ve finished making, Michelle will glaze and fire your pieces for you. Your finished work will be ready to collect usually within two to three weeks – ready to use, gift or show off.All materials included. No experience necessary.£50 per person | 2 hours | Suitable for complete beginners.
Concession places available at £25 – please get in touch to arrange.

From the Beginning — A Six Week Clay Course with Jane.

If you’ve always wanted to try pottery but didn’t know where to start, this is where you begin.From the Beginning is a six week course designed specifically for complete beginners. Over two hours a week, you’ll learn everything you need to work confidently with clay – from your very first thumb pot through to glazing and firing your finished pieces. By the end of the course you’ll have a real body of handmade work to take home, and the skills and confidence to keep making.What you’ll cover:Week 1 – Clay and how to use it
Week 2 – Hand building techniques: thumb pots, coil pots and slab work
Week 3 – Decoration techniques
Week 4 – Preparing your pieces for firing
Week 5 – Underglaze decorating
Week 6 – Glazing and finishingSessions are small – just six people – so you’ll get plenty of attention and support from Jane throughout. All materials are included and your finished, fired pieces are yours to take home.£190 per course | 2 hours per session | Maximum 6 participants | Complete beginners welcome.

Wild Things — Kids Clay Workshop with Jo

Got a little maker at home? This is their moment.In this fun, hands-on session, children will use air dry clay to create their very own animal sculpture or plant pot – letting their imagination run wild from start to finish. Jo will guide them through every step, but there are no rules here – just creativity, and plenty of mess.
Pieces are finished and ready to take home on the day to allow to dry and paint. No kiln, no waiting – just a proud little artist walking out the door with something they made themselves.Suitable for ages 7 to 12. Maximum 8 places.Drop off is welcome – just make sure you’re back at pick up time.All materials provided.
£15 per child | 1.5 hours

Drawn In — Charcoal Drawing with Maud

There’s something wonderfully free about charcoal. It’s bold, it’s expressive, and it’s delightfully messy – which is exactly the point.In this two-hour session, Maud will introduce you to the basics of mark making and charcoal drawing in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. You’ll explore different techniques, experiment with light and shadow, and discover what charcoal can do in your hands. No drawing experience needed – just a willingness to have a go and get a little dirty.Fair warning: charcoal gets everywhere. Come dressed accordingly.All materials provided. No experience necessary.£20 per person | 2 hours | Maximum 6 participants | Suitable for complete beginnersConcession places available at £10 – please get in touch to arrange.

Garden Friends — Clay Bird Feeders with Michelle

Make something beautiful for your garden – and for the birds.In this two-hour workshop, you’ll hand-build your own ceramic bird feeder from scratch, shaping and decorating it in your own style before Michelle glazes and fires it for you. The result is a completely unique, weatherproof feeder that looks as good hanging in a tree as it does as a gift.No experience needed – just a love of making and a soft spot for garden birds.Your finished, fired feeder will be ready to collect within two to three weeks of your session.All materials included. No experience necessary.£50 per person | 2 hours | Maximum 6 participants | Suitable for complete beginnersConcession places available at £25 – please get in touch to arrange.

Make Your Mark — Lino Printing with Amelia

There’s something deeply satisfying about carving your own design and pressing it onto paper – and the results are always surprising.In this two-hour workshop, Amelia will guide you through the art of lino printing from scratch. You’ll carve your own small lino block by hand and use it to create a series of original prints to take home – bold, graphic and completely your own.No experience needed. No artistic confidence required. Just a willingness to pick up a carving tool and see what happens.All materials provided. No experience necessary.£50 per person | 2 hours | Maximum 6 participants | Suitable for complete beginnersConcession places available at £25 – please get in touch to arrange.

Open Studio — Untutored Studio Time

You’ve got the skills. Now make what you want.Open Studio sessions are for makers who want uninterrupted time to work on their own pieces in a well-equipped, friendly space. There’s no teaching, no set project and no instructor – just you, your ideas and two hours of focused making time.
These sessions are ideal if you’ve completed our From the Beginning course or already have some clay experience and want regular time in the studio to develop your own practice.A few things to know:- Clay is available to purchase at cost
- Glazing and firing is included for up to two small pieces per session
- Additional or larger pieces can be fired for £4 each
- Please come ready to work – these sessions are self-directed and there will be no tuition or individual support available£35 per person | 2 hours | Maximum 6 participants.Prior experience required – suitable for those who have completed From the Beginning or have equivalent clay experience.

Hire the Space

Looking for a beautiful, well-equipped creative space in the heart of Berkhamsted? The Art Shed studio is available to hire for workshops, classes, craft groups and community activities.The studio accommodates up to 20 people and is available across four sessions daily. It’s a warm, welcoming space that works equally well for a weekly craft group or a one-off workshop you’re running yourself.Session times and rates:Morning 09:30 – 12:30 | £50
Afternoon 13:00 – 16:00 | £50
After school 16:00 – 18:00 | £35
Evening 18:30 – 21:30 | £50
Full day (all sessions) | £150A 10% discount is available when you book five or more sessions in advance.Kiln firing:Need your work fired? Kiln firing is available as an add-on at £35 per cycle, subject to availability. Just let us know at the time of booking.Good to know:• All sessions include set up and clear up time
• You bring your own materials and equipment
• Hirers are responsible for their own public liability insurance
• Full terms and conditions are available on requestTo check availability or make a booking, get in touch at [email protected]

Participant Booking Terms and Conditions

Version 1.0 | Effective from May 2026Welcome to The Art Shed, a not-for-profit community creative studio in the heart of Berkhamsted. Our mission is to bring people together through making, and to ensure that creative activities are accessible to everyone in our community,regardless of background or income.
By booking a session with us, you agree to the following terms and conditions. We have tried to keep these as straightforward and human as possible. If you have any questions, please get in touch.1. Booking and Payment
All bookings must be made in advance through our booking platform. Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your place. Your booking confirmation will be sent to the email address provided at the time of booking. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive this within 24 hours.2. Cancellations by The Art Shed
We operate a minimum attendance threshold of four participants per session. If a session does not reach this threshold, we reserve the right to cancel it. Where possible, we will give you at least seven days’ notice.
In the event of a cancellation by The Art Shed you will receive a full credit note redeemable against any future session. We do not offer cash refunds for sessions cancelled by us, except in exceptional circumstances at our discretion.
We may also cancel a session at shorter notice in the event of an emergency, instructor illness, or circumstances beyond our control. We will contact you as soon as possible and issue a full credit note.3. Cancellations by Participants
We understand that plans change. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
• If you cancel seven or more days before your session, you will receive a full credit note for the amount paid.
• If you cancel less than seven days before your session, you will receive a credit note for 50% of the amount paid.
• If you cancel on the day of the session, or do not attend without notice, no credit will be issued.
Exception: if you need to cancel due to illness, please let us know as soon as possible. We will issue a full credit note on the basis of self-declaration. We operate a trust-based approach and ask that this exception is used honestly and in the spirit it is intended.
Credit notes are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be used against any session type.4. Concession Places
The Art Shed is committed to making creative activities genuinely accessible. We offer one concession place in every four places at each session, priced at £25 for daytime and evening sessions.
Concession places are for people who would find the full price a barrier to attending. If that describes you, please email us and we will send you a voucher code. No formal proof is required. We trust you.
Concession places are also available to participants referred through social prescribing networks, GP practices, and community mental health services. If you have been referred by a link worker or health professional, please email us before booking.
Weekend workshops are priced at the full rate only. We are not able to offer concession pricing for weekend sessions at this time.5. Age Policy
Our sessions are designed primarily for adults aged 18 and over. However, we recognise that some workshops are well suited to younger participants, and we want to retain the flexibility to welcome them where appropriate.
• The minimum age for each workshop will be stated clearly on the booking page.
• Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the duration of the session, unless otherwise specified.
• The accompanying adult is responsible for the young person’s behaviour and wellbeing throughout the session.6. Health and Access Needs
We want every participant to feel comfortable, safe, and well supported. When you book, you will be given the opportunity to share anything that would help us support you better. This might include mobility requirements, sensory sensitivities, mental health considerations, or anything else relevant to your experience with us.
This information is entirely optional, but where it is shared, we will ensure it reaches the relevant instructor before your session so they can be prepared to support you well.
If your needs change between booking and attending, please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you.7. Photography and Social Media
We love sharing the creativity that happens at The Art Shed on our social media channels, particularly Instagram (@theartshed_berkhamsted). However, we will never photograph or film you without your explicit consent.
At the start of each session, your instructor will ask whether you are happy to be included in any photographs taken during the session. You are under no obligation to consent, and your decision will not affect your experience with us in any way.
If you consent to photography and later change your mind about an image that has been shared, please contact us at [email protected] and we will remove it promptly.8. Behaviour and Community
The Art Shed is a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone. We ask all participants to treat fellow participants, instructors, volunteers, and staff with kindness and respect.
We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or behaviour that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome. Anyone whose behaviour falls short of these standards may be asked to leave and may have their future bookings cancelled without refund.9. Health and Safety
Your safety is our priority. Please follow any health and safety guidance given by your instructor at the start of each session. Some of our materials and equipment require care in handling, and your instructor will brief you on any relevant precautions.
The Art Shed holds public liability insurance. However, we ask participants to take reasonable care of themselves and their belongings. We cannot accept responsibility for personal injury arising from failure to follow safety guidance, or for loss or damage to personal property.10. Data Protection
The Art Shed takes the privacy of our participants seriously. Any personal information you provide at the point of booking, including your name, contact details, health and access information, and concession status, will be held and processed in line with our GDPR Policy, a copy of which is available on request or at [email protected].
We will not share your personal information with third parties except where required by law or where you have given explicit consent. We do not sell personal data.
If you have any questions about how your data is held, or wish to exercise your rights under UK GDPR, please contact our Data Protection Officer, Joan Fisher, at [email protected].11. Changes to These Terms
We may update these terms from time to time. The current version will always be available at our studio and on request. Where changes are significant, we will notify participants by email where we hold contact details.Thank you for being part of The Art Shed community. A place to make, meet and belong.For any questions about these terms, please contact us at [email protected].

Instructor Terms and Conditions

Version 1.0 | Effective from May 2026These terms set out the agreement between The Art Shed CIC and instructors engaged to deliver workshops at our studio. They apply to all instructors regardless of the workshop type or discipline. By accepting a booking from The Art Shed, you agree to these terms.1. Engagement and Scope
The Art Shed engages instructors on a sessional, self-employed basis. Each engagement is for a specific session or series of sessions agreed in advance. This agreement does not constitute a contract of employment, and instructors are responsible for their own tax and National Insurance contributions.
The Art Shed will confirm each booking in writing, including the date, time, duration, workshop type, and agreed fee. Instructors should notify us promptly if any detail is incorrect.2. Fees and Payment
The agreed hourly rate for daytime workshop instruction is £25 per hour. Instructors will be paid for three hours per two-hour session to cover set-up, delivery, and contingency for overrun.
Payment will be made within seven days of the session being delivered, subject to receipt of a valid invoice. Invoices should be submitted to [email protected] promptly following the session.
The Art Shed reserves the right to withhold or adjust payment where a session was not delivered as agreed, or where the instructor did not attend without appropriate notice.3. Cancellation by the Instructor
We understand that circumstances can change. Our cancellation expectations are as follows:
• Where possible, please give at least seven days’ notice if you are unable to deliver a booked session. This allows us to find a replacement or notify participants in good time.
• For cancellations due to illness or genuine emergency at shorter notice, please contact us as soon as possible by phone or message. We will not penalise instructors for genuine last-minute sickness, but early communication is essential.
• Repeated short-notice cancellations, other than for reasons of illness, may result in The Art Shed being unable to offer future bookings.
In the event of a cancellation, The Art Shed will endeavour to reschedule the session where possible and will confirm the revised arrangement in writing.4. Cancellation by The Art Shed
The Art Shed will give instructors at least seven days’ notice if we need to cancel a booked session. Where cancellation occurs with less than seven days’ notice for reasons within our control, we will pay a cancellation fee of 50% of the agreed session fee.
We will not pay a cancellation fee where a session is cancelled due to insufficient participant bookings, instructor unavailability, or circumstances outside our reasonable control such as extreme weather or a facility emergency.5. Materials
The Art Shed will provide the studio space, basic consumables, and any equipment agreed in advance. Instructors are responsible for specifying in advance all materials required for their programme.
Prior to each session or series of sessions, the instructor must provide The Art Shed with a written materials list covering:
• All materials required per participant
• Quantities based on the expected group size
• Any specialist tools or equipment needed that are not standard studio stock
• Any materials the instructor will supply themselves
This list must be provided at least fourteen days before the first session of any new programme to allow The Art Shed to ensure appropriate stock levels. Instructors who fail to provide a materials list in good time may find that not all requested materials are available.
Where materials are to be supplied by the instructor, ownership of those materials remains with the instructor. The Art Shed will not be liable for loss or damage to instructor-supplied materials left on the premises.6. Health, Safety and Safeguarding
All instructors must familiarise themselves with The Art Shed’s health and safety guidance and safeguarding policy before delivering their first session. Copies are available on request from [email protected].
Instructors working with vulnerable adults or young people must hold a current enhanced DBS certificate. The Art Shed may request to see evidence of this prior to engagement.
Instructors are responsible for delivering sessions in a safe, inclusive, and respectful manner consistent with The Art Shed’s values and equalities policy.7. Intellectual Property
Workshop content, lesson plans, and teaching materials developed by the instructor remain the intellectual property of the instructor. The Art Shed will not reproduce or distribute instructor materials without explicit written consent.
The Art Shed may take photographs during sessions for use on our social media and marketing materials. Where photographs include the instructor, we will seek consent in advance.8. Conduct and Representation
Instructors represent The Art Shed when delivering sessions and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and in keeping with our values of warmth, inclusion, and community. The Art Shed reserves the right to terminate an engagement where an instructor’s conduct falls short of these standards.9. Liability
The Art Shed holds public liability insurance covering activities within the studio. Instructors are advised to hold their own professional indemnity and public liability insurance and may be asked to provide evidence of this.
The Art Shed will not be liable for personal injury, loss, or damage arising from an instructor’s failure to follow agreed safety guidance or from the use of instructor-supplied materials or equipment.10. Changes to These Terms
The Art Shed may update these terms from time to time. The current version will be provided at the point of each new engagement. Continued acceptance of bookings constitutes acceptance of the current terms.Thank you for being part of The Art Shed community. A place to make, meet and belong.For any questions about these terms, please contact us at [email protected].

Studio Hire Terms and Conditions

Version 1.0 | Effective from May 2026These terms apply to all sessional hire of The Art Shed studio at Park Street, Berkhamsted. By making a booking, the hirer agrees to these terms in full.1. The Space
The Art Shed studio is available for sessional hire as a creative workspace. Hire is of the studio space only. No materials, equipment, instruction, or other services are included unless explicitly agreed in writing in advance.
The hirer is responsible for bringing all materials, equipment, and resources required to run their activity. The Art Shed accepts no responsibility for the delivery or quality of any activity carried out by a hirer.2. Hire Rates
Sessional hire is available on the following basis:
• Morning session (09:30-12:30: £50. (3-hour session inclusive of set up and clear up time)
• Afternoon session (13:00-16:00): £50 (3-hour session inclusive of set up and clear up time)
• After school session (16:00-18:00) £35
• Evening session (18:30-21:30): £50 (3-hour session inclusive of set up and clear up time)
• Full day (all three sessions): £150
All rates are inclusive of VAT where applicable. A 10% discount is available for hirers booking five or more sessions in advance. Discounted rates must be agreed in writing before the first session.3. Booking and Payment
All bookings must be made in advance and confirmed in writing by The Art Shed. A booking is not confirmed until payment has been received.
Full payment is required at the time of booking for single sessions. For multi-session bookings, payment may be made in advance for the full series or session by session, as agreed at the time of booking.
Payment must be made at time of booking.4. Cancellation by the Hirer
Our cancellation policy for studio hire is as follows:
• Cancellation seven or more days before the session: full refund.
• Cancellation two to six days before the session: 50% refund.
• Cancellation less than 48 hours before the session, or non-attendance: no refund.5. Cancellation by The Art Shed
The Art Shed reserves the right to cancel a booked session in exceptional circumstances, for example a facility emergency, essential maintenance, or circumstances beyond our control. Where we cancel, we will give as much notice as possible and issue a full refund.
The Art Shed is not liable for any consequential costs arising from a cancellation, including costs incurred by the hirer in preparing for or promoting their activity.6. Use of the Space
The studio may be used for creative workshops, classes, meetings, and similar activities consistent with The Art Shed’s community purpose. The following uses are not permitted:
• Commercial events unrelated to arts, crafts, or community activity
• Political or religious meetings of any kind
• Activities that conflict with The Art Shed’s values of inclusion and community
• Sub-letting or sharing the hire with a third party without prior written consent
• Activities involving alcohol without prior written consent
• Any activity that could damage the studio fabric, equipment, or reputation of The Art Shed
The Art Shed reserves the right to refuse or terminate a hire where the use of the space is inconsistent with these terms.7. Care of the Space
The hirer is responsible for leaving the studio in the same condition as found. This includes clearing away all materials and equipment, disposing of waste appropriately, and reporting any accidental damage promptly.
A damage deposit of £50 may be requested for first-time hirers or for activities with a higher risk of mess or damage. This will be returned within seven days of the session provided the space is left in good order. We will contact you after the booking to confirm whether a deposit will be required.
The cost of making good any damage beyond fair wear and tear will be charged to the hirer at cost. The Art Shed reserves the right to cancel future bookings is the above is not adhered to.8. Capacity and Health and Safety
The maximum capacity of the studio is 20 people. The hirer must not exceed this at any time.
The hirer is responsible for the health and safety of all attendees during their session. The Art Shed will provide a basic induction to the space on first hire, covering fire exits, first aid, and emergency procedures. The hirer must ensure all attendees are aware of relevant safety information.
The Art Shed holds public liability insurance for the building. Hirers are strongly advised to hold their own public liability insurance and may be required to provide evidence of this for certain activities.9. Safeguarding
Where the hirer’s activity involves children, young people, or vulnerable adults, the hirer is responsible for ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are in place, including relevant DBS checks for their own staff and volunteers. The Art Shed’s safeguarding policy is available on request.10. Noise and Neighbours
The Art Shed is located in a mixed-use area. Hirers must be mindful of noise levels, particularly during evening sessions. Any outdoor activity must be agreed in advance.11. Photography and Social Media
Hirers are welcome to take photographs during their sessions for their own promotional purposes. Where photographs include identifiable individuals, the hirer is responsible for obtaining appropriate consent. The Art Shed logo or branding must not be used by hirers in their own marketing without prior written consent. The Art Shed is not responsible for publicity for private hirers. The onus is on the hirer to promote their own classes/events although these may be added to The Art Shed website and social media on request.12. Data Protection
Contact and booking information provided by hirers will be held and processed in line with The Art Shed’s GDPR Policy, a copy of which is available on request. We will not share hirer details with third parties except where required by law.13. Changes to These Terms
The Art Shed may update these terms from time to time. The current version will be provided at the point of each new booking.14. Kiln Firing
Kiln firing is available as an optional add-on to studio hire, subject to availability and advance notice. Hirers wishing to use the kiln must request this at the time of booking. Kiln firing is charged per cycle at £35 per cycle. The hirer is responsible for ensuring all work is appropriately prepared and dry before loading. The Art Shed cannot accept liability for damage to work during firing. Firing will be carried out by The Art Shed at a time of our choosing, and completed work will be available for collection within fourteen days of firing. The Art Shed reserves the right to decline a firing request where the clay used is unsuitable for our kiln and firing would be both detrimental to the work and the kiln, where work is not suitably prepared or where kiln capacity does not permit. Please contact us via email at [email protected] if you would like to arrange a kiln firing.Thank you for choosing The Art Shed. A place to make, meet and belong.For any questions about studio hire, please contact us at [email protected].