Artventure Trust
Creative Care in Surrey Since 1984
Artventure is a Guildford-based charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, physical impairments, or autism to be creative, have fun, and make new friends in a safe and sociable environment.
Guildford Festival of the Arts
Join Artventure at the Guildford Festival of the Arts on Thursday to Sunday 1-4 October. Get creative at our craft station! Explore a range of fun, accessible activities suitable for all ages. Paint a colourful rock, make a friendship bracelet to take home or create a paper flower or butterfly for our collaborative artwork. We will be at the Cafe area of G-Live from 11am to 4pm – we hope to see you there!
Our Aims
Working in small groups, and giving one-to-one attention where necessary, our activities are designed to improve self-expression, develop potential and encourage a greater awareness of self-worth coupled with a real sense of achievement.
Our Work
A team of experienced and caring artworkers and volunteers, often practising artists themselves, help participants develop creative and social skills. All areas of the visual arts are explored including painting, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media and photography. The positive, fun and supportive atmosphere encourages self-confidence and independence.
When and Where
We have two dedicated studios in the Guildford area; in the grounds of St Peter’s School in Merrow and in Gosden House School in Bramley, with sessions taking place during the school term time. We also organise excursions, events and exhibitions for our participants. Exhibiting work in public venues increases people’s sense of personal pride.
Support Us
Your help is vital for us to keep going. Please show that you care about what we do and choose the most convenient way for you to support us.
Make A Donation
Even the smallest donations can make all the difference. You can send your donation directly by contacting us or through our Just Giving account by clicking the button below. Please help in any way you can. Thank you.
Our Wish List
In our Wish List you will find materials and equipment we would like to have to be able to offer an even higher level service to our participants. We will take care of the ordering process and we will be in touch when the wish list item you bought for us arrives in the Studio.
Community Lottery
You can now support us through the Guildford Lottery. If you wish to try your luck, please buy a ticket and then we receive 50% of what you spend on the ticket as a donation. It is great help for us if you set up a Direct Debit. Thank you and we wish you the best of luck!
Join Us
Artventure is about people. One of our participants once said that the best thing about Artventure was that it was like a big family, and once you became member of the Artventure family you would be part of it forever. What keeps us together is the genuine care towards our participants and their families.
As a Participant
Our participants contact us directly or they come through referral or via the relevant local caring agencies or social services. Anybody who is over 18 years old and lives with learning disabilities, autism or physical impairments is welcome to join us for a free trial session to see what we have to offer. Most of our clients attend once or twice a week. For participants with a shorter attention span we offer shorter sessions at a discounted price.
As a Volunteer
Volunteers are always most welcome at The Artventure Trust, regardless of age or experience. A few hours of your time can make a real difference. Having enough volunteers every day enables us to provide valuable one on one attention to our clients. We have volunteers from all walks of life, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you think you are interested in getting involved.
Artventure News
Artventure at the Guildford Festival of the Arts
Artventure will run a range of fun, accessible activities, that are suitable for all ages in the Cafe area of G-Live from 11am to 4pm on all four days of the Festival, from Thursday to Sunday 1-4 October. Get creative at our craft station! Paint a colourful rock, make...
Open Studios Exhibition from 6 to 21 June
Please visit our Studio in Merrow to see over a hundred artworks on display. We offer a Cyanotype workshop on 13 June and a Paper Making Workshop on 20 June from 11am to 2pm for £5. Book your place by emailing manager@art-venture.co.uk Address: Artventure Trust, St...
Colour My World – Amy Mears’ Solo Exhibition
Artventure Trust proudly presents Amy Mears’ debut solo show, a vibrant collection of paintings and photographic work highlighting Amy’s curiosity, wit and unmistakable creative voice. Amy - an artist with physical and neurological disabilities - draws inspiration...
Contact Us
Our main studio is located within the beautiful grounds of St Peter’s School in Merrow, Guildford (GU1 2TN), and is open every weekday during school term time from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
St Peter’s School is just off the A25 Epsom Road, approximately one mile east of Guildford city centre. The stops of bus 36 and 37 are five minutes walk from our Studio.
Our studio in Gosden House School in Bramley (GU5 0AH) is open Mondays from 9.30 am to 2.30pm during school term time.
Gosden House School is located right at the border of Shalford and Bramley on the Horsham Road.
Join Our Mailing List
Please sign up here to join our Mailing List. If you do we will send you our newsletters and invitations to our exhibitions. You can expect three or four e-mails per year from us and you can always decide to opt out. We will never give your e-mail address to a third party. Thank you.