Exeter Custom House presents a series of festive events including craft workshops, midwinter poetry and a performance by a local choir from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 16 December.
The events begin on Tuesday 5 December with a willow star making workshop from 7-9pm led by participatory arts duo Vik and and Hannah of Weird Sticks CIC.
On Thursday 7 December Devon artist Helen McCormick will lead a lino printing from 6.30-9.30pm during which attendees will create their own hand-made Christmas cards.
Then from 11am-3pm on Saturday 9 December the Art Work Exeter team will hold a series of hour-long drop-in workshops for participants to make tree ornaments with recycled and scrap materials using glitter, decoupage, metal embossing and more. Each session begins on the hour.
On Wednesday 13 December from 6.30-7.30pm a Midwinter poetry and harp interactive event hosted by Literature Works will feature poet Caleb Parkin and harpist Scarlett Smith, both from Bristol.
Then on Saturday 16 December from 2-3pm Mum’s Choir Exeter will sing carols and Christmas songs outside the custom house building.
Exeter Custom House
Exeter Custom House was built in 1681, the first in England constructed for this purpose. It was in use by HM Customs until 1989, with building access only available on Red Coat guided tours.
Exeter Canal & Quay Trust and Exeter City Council jointly opened the building as as visitor centre in 2015.
Exeter Custom House now hosts arts and cultural events via rolling three-year “cultural partnerships” residencies. These are currently held by Art Work Exeter and Literature Works.
The Christmas at the Custom House willow star making workshop and lino printing session each cost £30, plus a £1 booking fee.
Midwinter poetry and harp event tickets cost £10, or £5 for concessions.
The tree ornament workshop and Mum’s Choir Exeter performance are both free to attend.
For more information visit the Exeter Custom House website.
