Coda Music & Arts Trust

Dorset Art Weeks at Coda, 2026

Moments from our amazing taster workshops with the resident studio artists here at Coda, which included clay sculpting, sewing, silversmithing, lino printing and cordage making 🧶🗜️

Thank you to all who visited the studios for creative activity and chat. And a big thank you to our artists for offering such a diverse range of practices and crafts for visitors to explore!

Don't forget you can also spend time in the wonderful - which sits right alongside the gallery and studios - for coffee, cakes and lunches.

Find out more about our resident Coda artists: coda.org.uk/resident-artists
Explore upcoming creative workshops: coda.org.uk/whats-on (link in bio)

Songwriter's Circle with Esther Keappock 🪕 our relaxed meet-ups for songwriters of all levels!

Gather with musician and songwriter Esther to share music making ideas with a growing community of local musicians. Bring along new ideas, works in progress, or finished songs.

No pressure - just an open circle where inspiration is found and new connections are formed!

Upcoming dates: Fri 19th June | Fri 10th July
Time: 6pm-8pm
Tickets: £5pp donation

Book via the link in our bio, or here: coda.org.uk/shop/p/songwriters-circle-18-summer

1: Sarah Pardoe
2: Serrah Svga Sillah shot by

The countdown is on! ⏳

In just a few weeks, Kingfishers Live Music Weekend returns to the beautiful gardens of Kingfishers House, Lymington, for a weekend of exceptional live music in support of Coda and

Whether you're joining us for the elegance of opera on Saturday evening, the uplifting rhythm & blues of The Cosimo Matassa Project on Father's Day, or making a weekend of it, there's still time to book your spot.

🎭 Saturday 20 June - An Evening of Opera
🎷 Sunday 21 June - Rhythm & Blues with The Cosimo Matassa Project

Expect wonderful music, delicious food and drink, stunning surroundings, and the chance to support two local charities making a difference in our community.

Tickets are selling now – don't miss out!

Book via the link in our bio or visit:
https://hammersleyhomes.org/music-weekend/

How do you create exhibition spaces that genuinely invite participation? 💭

Join artists Lucy Cran and Bill Leslie of Leap Then Look for an informal artist talk exploring their approach to creating accessible, interactive experiences for audiences of all ages 🌀

Thursday 11 June, 3pm–5pm
Coda Music & Arts Trust
Free to attend

Designed for arts professionals, producers, educators and creative practitioners, this is an opportunity to hear about the development of PLAY INTERACT EXPLORE, ask questions, exchange ideas, and connect with others working in local arts and culture.

Find out more & RSVP via the link in our bio, or here: coda.org.uk/whats-on

This Spring, our gallery was transformed by ten local artists - the Guardians of Play.

Following a 3-day intensive residency led by Magic Acorns, the artists - spanning dance, music and visual arts - came together to experiment, learn and play. Guided with care and curiosity, they created an immersive “garden” designed with babies, young children, and their carers in mind.

Throughout May, the Guardians of Play have been delivering explorative sensory play sessions, welcoming over 25 local families, and 4 different groups from Dell Cottage Nursery! 💫

Attendees have left feeling calm, connected, and cared-for.

In the gallery, visitors have explored and played, leaving their own mark and contributing to this interactive and collaborative space.

Thank you to all who have spent time in the gallery, and with the Guardians of Play! Lots more to come from this fantastic collective... 👀

Find out more about our Early Years programme via coda.org.uk/early-years
Explore upcoming exhibitions: coda.org.uk/exhibitions

Waterfall Garden - a community art installation at St John's, Boldre

This June, St John the Baptist Church in Lymington will be transformed into the Waterfall Garden - an art installation made entirely from recycled materials, created by members of the local community.

Explore and enjoy:
- A dramatic 40-foot "waterfall", cascading into a shimmering "pool"
- Vibrant fabric flowers & wildlife displays
- Handcrafted dragonflies, butterflies, bulrushes, lilies & fish
- Cream tea afternoons on selected dates

Spend some time in this peaceful and historical setting, supporting three local charities (including Coda), and celebrating the power of creativity!

Open daily from 12th June
Free to visit, no booking required

Find out more: bsbb.org.uk/our-churches/st-johns/waterfall-garden-2026/

COMING SOON 📣 Play Interact Explore - an interactive exhibition with Leap Then Look

Play Interact Explore invites audiences of all ages to experiment with sculpture, sound, moving image, and performance 🔊🌀

Exhibition open: 15th June - 31st July, weekdays 10am-4pm
Free to visit | All welcome

The exhibition is designed as a space for curiosity and discovery, where visitors are encouraged to make, play, and collaborate in shaping their own experience.

As part of our Early Years programme at Coda, Lucy and Bill (founders of Leap Then Look) are offering opportunities to learn more about their approach to participation, play, and audience engagement.
Reach out to [email protected] to find out more!

Learn more about Leap Then Look: leapthenlook.org.uk/about
Learn more about their upcoming exhibition: coda.org.uk/exhibitions

Image credits:
1 & 2 - Hugh Fox
3 - Colin Davidson

Spend Father's Day listening to New Orleans Rhythm & Blues in a laid-back garden setting with food, drinks, and breathtaking coastal views 🎷🌅

London-based band share a love for early R&B, paying homage to legendary New Orleans record producer Cosimo Matassa, and the artists who passed through his studios!

Expect the likes of Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner, and Ray Charles - capturing the spirit, soulfulness and groove of the many great records that emerged from Cosimo's studios in the late 1940s and onwards...

Sun 21st June - doors 12:30pm, performance from 3pm

Book tickets via the link in our bio, or here: hammersleyhomes.org/music-weekend/
PURCHASE BEFORE 31st MAY FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS! 📣

All ticket sales help to fund Coda & Hammersley Homes's work supporting local people facing mental health challenges.

Dorset Art Weeks at Coda - Taster Workshops 🧶🗜

Join our resident studio artists at Coda for a diverse range of creative activities and projects!

Try out...
Lino printing with
Sewing with
Silversmithing with
Community pottery and textiles projects with

The artists will also be opening up their studios so you can explore their spaces, learn about their creative practices, and discover their current projects!

The wonderful Debbie & Molly are also serving refreshing drinks, coffees and lunches onsite in 🌸

Find out more about Dorset Art Weeks: dorsetartweeks.co.uk
Book workshops: coda.org.uk/whats-on