Sunderland - Creative Development Events
Hi all, Jay here 🥰
Welcome to the Sunderland - Creative Development Events section of the ArtyParti website.
Here, you’ll find a range of events covering a range of disciplines, all focused on creative activities, creative practice development, or where meeting other creatives in the area is part of the experience.
Scroll down to see Sunderland-based events, separated by month.
This is a living document, with new events and organisations added over time. If you know about anything that’s not included that you’d like to add,
please shoot me an email to JaySykesMedia@gmail.com
September 2026
Tue 1st - 6pm - ArtyParti - ‘Writer’s Unblock’ - Port Independent - £5 (Includes a +1. Free for our ‘Friend’ & ‘Bestie’ supporters on Patreon)
A writing group with a twist - framed around a podcast recording + informal networking, we invite writers of any discipline to get together - to discuss practice, solve problems, and collaborate together as a critically supportive community.
Wed 2nd - 6pm - Holmeside Writers - Ship Isis - Free
A monthly writers group.
Thu 3rd - 7pm - The Dog House - Charity Comedy Night - Diego’s Joint - £15
A one-off comedy event to raise money for Jarrow Mindset. Performers: Kit Alan, Mike Milligan, Mikey Milligan, Anthony Shields, and Dan Ward. Comparé: Gareth Harrison.
Fri 4th - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ - Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Mon 7th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Mon 7th - 6pm - Pink Collar Gallery - ‘Joy is Resistance - Signs of Strength’ - Port Independent - £5
Signs of Strength invites participants to create bold, text-based art inspired by their own experiences, values and hopes. What message do you want to share with your younger self, your future sense or people in your community? Drawing inspiration from community organising and social justice movements, participants will explore typography, colour, and printmaking techniques to make text-based art to inspire, encourage and empower.
Thu 10th - 6pm* - King Ink CIC - ‘Spoken Word Open Mic’ - Pop Recs - Free
A monthly open mic for poets and spoken word performers.* Doors open at 6pm, the open mic begins at 7pm.
Thu 10th - 7pm - Sunderland Culture - ‘Hotseat Life Drawing’ - Arts Centre Washington - £14
Grab a drink from the bar, pick your materials, sit, sketch… then switch. No fixed seats here— Move. Explore. Every angle offers a new perspective. With tiered seating for elevated viewpoints, a selection of easels, great models, lively atmosphere and eclectic playlists. Models will pose in a range of dynamic poses with props thrown in for visual interest. This is an ideal class for developing hand-eye coordination, experimenting with style and media.
Fri 11th - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ - Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Mon 14th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Betsy Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Mon 14th - 6pm - Pink Collar Gallery - ‘Joy is Resistance - Am the Story’ - Port Independent - £5
A community-led embroidery project by creative Michaela Wetherell that centres women’s lives, identities, and stories through stitched portraiture. Come along and create your own embroidered portrait that honours your stories, memories, experiences, and reflections. Your work will feature in a collaborative final piece that will form a powerful visual archive that challenges dominant narratives around value, visibility, and cultural memory.No embroidery experience is necessary. Materials provided.
Thu 17th - 9am - North East BIC - ‘Inspire Lab Sunderland’ - North East BIC - Free
Designed to support you on your self-employment journey, Inspire Lab brings together aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners across Sunderland to connect, collaborate and learn from one another in a welcoming environment. We’ll hear from Susan French, the founder of Crew Gal Creative House, a North East-based organisation creating more accessible pathways into the creative industries.
Thu 17th - 6:30pm* - Sunderland Lit & Phil - ‘Britain’s Literary Crisis’ - Pop Recs - £10
* Doors open at 6:30pm, the panel begins at 7pm.
Fri 18th - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ - Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Fri 18th - 6pm - ArtyParti - ‘Processing: Art-Making for Mental Wellbeing’ - Port Independent - £15 (Free for our ‘Bestie’ supporters on Patreon)
A series of workshops focused on creativity as a wellbeing activity, delivered by Dima Jafar of Pathways Therapy. We’ll be exploring ways that you can integrate creative activities into your everyday life that benefit you and your mental wellbeing. All materials provided.
Mon 21st - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Mon 21st - 6pm - Pink Collar Gallery - ‘Joy is Resistance - Signs of Strength’ - Port Independent - £5
Signs of Strength invites participants to create bold, text-based art inspired by their own experiences, values and hopes. What message do you want to share with your younger self, your future sense or people in your community? Drawing inspiration from community organising and social justice movements, participants will explore typography, colour, and printmaking techniques to make text-based art to inspire, encourage and empower.
Wed 23rd - 6pm - ArtyParti - ‘Sunderland Scratch’ - Port Independent - £5 (Includes a +1. Free for our ‘Friend’ & ‘Bestie’ supporters on Patreon)
Bringing together scriptwriters & screenwriters to read work in progress, script-in-hand, for feedback and development. Join our critically supportive community to enhance your writing craft.
Thu 24th - 7pm - King Ink CIC - ‘Poet’s Corner’ - Bridge Hotel - Free
A monthly poetry discussion group.
Fri 25th - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ - Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Fri 25th - 6pm - Nightbloom Events - ‘Studio Ghibli Craft & Sip’ - D20 Bar - £30
A cosy evening of crafting, themed drinks, and Ghibli magic. Nightbloom Events is partnering with Kikara Draws to bring a bracelet-making Craft & Sip, inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and My Neighbourhood Totoro. Choose your favourite charms, pair them with frosted glass beads, and create your own bracelet to take home.
Mon 28th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Tue ??? - 6:30pm - Reel Creatives - ‘The Hub’ - 3 Stories - Free
October 2026
Fri 2nd - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Mon 5th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Mon 5th - 6pm - ArtyParti - ‘Your Artistic Identity’ Port Independent £5 (Includes a +1. Free for our ‘Friend’ & ‘Bestie’ supporters on Patreon)
This event series is about developing your voice as a creative practitioner. We’ll work together collaboratively to create material useful for articulating your practice. This month, with a guest facilitator, we're focusing on bid-writing for funding and grant applications, to give you confidence in answering questions and meeting general criteria when applying for funding in how you articulate your aims, ambitions, and existing practice.
Wed 7th - 6pm - Holmeside Writers - Ship Isis - Free
A monthly writers group.
Thu 8th - 6pm - Justine Sless - ‘Comedy Workshop & Bobby Thompson Comedy Tribute Night’ - Diego’s Joint
Thu 8th - 6pm* - King Ink CIC - ‘Spoken Word Open Mic’ - Pop Recs - Free
A monthly open mic for poets and spoken word performers.
* Doors open at 6pm, the open mic begins at 7pm.
Fri 9th - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Mon 12th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Tue 13th - 12pm - Sunderland Lit & Phil Society - ‘Justine Sless - Author Talk’ - Chapter 13 Books - Free
Comedian and author Justine Sless, in conversation with Sunderland Lit & Phil Society’s Auburn Langleyabout her third book ‘Before I Sing You This Song’.
Thu 15th - 6:30pm* - Sunderland Lit & Phil - ‘Gothic Literature’ - Pop Recs - £10
* Doors open at 6:30pm, the panel begins at 7pm.
Fri 16th - 10am - Harbour Studios CIC - ‘Glass & Ceramics Friday’ Port Independent - Free
Catch up and meet fellow glass and ceramics makers, share what you’re working on, and spend a couple of hours together. An informal chance to hear more about the plans, find out what’s happening, and have conversations about the future of glass and ceramics in Sunderland.
Mon 19th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Wed 21st - ArtyParti - ‘Queer Art Market’ - D20 Bar - Free
Showcasing work by queer artists and creatives living in Sunderland. Expect a range of art; from canvases to miniatures, calligraphy to greeting cards, lino prints to original novels. Join us to find joyful gifts, unique items for your home, or to support members of Sunderland’s creative community.
Thu 22nd - 6pm - ArtyParti - ‘Show & Tell’ - Port Independent - £5 (Includes a +1. Free for our ‘Friend’ & ‘Bestie’ supporters on Patreon)
A live podcast recording where artists & creatives of any discipline are invited to share their work & projects. We discuss and celebrate that work together. We'd love for you to join us - whether as artist, or audience.
Thu 22nd - 7pm - Sunderland Culture - ‘Hotseat Life Drawing’ - Arts Centre Washington - £14
Grab a drink from the bar, pick your materials, sit, sketch… then switch. No fixed seats here— Move. Explore. Every angle offers a new perspective. With tiered seating for elevated viewpoints, a selection of easels, great models, lively atmosphere and eclectic playlists. Models will pose in a range of dynamic poses with props thrown in for visual interest. This is an ideal class for developing hand-eye coordination, experimenting with style and media.
Thu 24th - 7pm - King Ink CIC - ‘Poet’s Corner’ - Bridge Hotel - Free
A monthly poetry discussion group.
Mon 28th - 11am - Soundboard Sunderland - Besty Jenny Wellbeing Café - Free
A creative writing group for anyone who needs to be heard. Make mental health a priority each week with an array of creative resources. Write it down, say it out loud, or just listen. We will provide prompts, but you are also free to explore other tools and support, to help you make the difference you need to live well and truthfully.
Tue ??? - 6:30pm - Reel Creatives - ‘The Hub’ - 3 Stories - Free