Dr Abbie Cairns
@drabbiecairns.bsky.social
Artist-Teacher-Reseacher
A few highlights coming up include the first session of the NSEAD course I am facilitating on the 3rd, the Christmas artists’ meet-up at The Minories on the 10th, and a series of festive WEA courses, including a session on festive art fundamentals on the 17th!
www.wea.org.uk/courses/arts...
www.wea.org.uk/courses/arts...
Craft: Festive Art & Design Fundamentals | WEA
Craft: Festive Art & Design Fundamentals
www.wea.org.uk
November 30, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A few highlights coming up include the first session of the NSEAD course I am facilitating on the 3rd, the Christmas artists’ meet-up at The Minories on the 10th, and a series of festive WEA courses, including a session on festive art fundamentals on the 17th!
www.wea.org.uk/courses/arts...
www.wea.org.uk/courses/arts...
I am looking forward to stepping into December tomorrow. The month ahead brings together book writing, teaching, and art-making.
November 30, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I am looking forward to stepping into December tomorrow. The month ahead brings together book writing, teaching, and art-making.
Freedom!
A powerful word. I decided to just give myself freedom in the studio and played with some paint and some water. It was quite joyful.
Some more playing will follow before I hand it over to Tina to do her thing.
A powerful word. I decided to just give myself freedom in the studio and played with some paint and some water. It was quite joyful.
Some more playing will follow before I hand it over to Tina to do her thing.
November 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Freedom!
A powerful word. I decided to just give myself freedom in the studio and played with some paint and some water. It was quite joyful.
Some more playing will follow before I hand it over to Tina to do her thing.
A powerful word. I decided to just give myself freedom in the studio and played with some paint and some water. It was quite joyful.
Some more playing will follow before I hand it over to Tina to do her thing.
I am delighted to be returning to The Minories this January for our second Creative Retreat Day, a full day dedicated to focused, supported making!
Book here: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Book here: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Creative Retreat Day with Dr Abbie Cairns
Join local artist-teacher-researcher Dr Abbie Cairns for The Minories’ second Creative Retreat Day. A full day of focused, supported time for your...
www.trybooking.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I am delighted to be returning to The Minories this January for our second Creative Retreat Day, a full day dedicated to focused, supported making!
Book here: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Book here: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
I love research and writing, so this is a dream session for me. I hope the MA learners feel the same and leave with tools that strengthen their academic practice!
November 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I love research and writing, so this is a dream session for me. I hope the MA learners feel the same and leave with tools that strengthen their academic practice!
We will distil research ideas into one sentence, use freewriting prompts, craft found research poetry, experiment with research-as-recipe approaches, introduce colour-coding strategies, and build momentum through focused “shut up and write” blocks.
November 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We will distil research ideas into one sentence, use freewriting prompts, craft found research poetry, experiment with research-as-recipe approaches, introduce colour-coding strategies, and build momentum through focused “shut up and write” blocks.
I am excited to be joining the University Centre Colchester MA in Education cohort this evening to lead an online writing retreat for their first module.
November 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I am excited to be joining the University Centre Colchester MA in Education cohort this evening to lead an online writing retreat for their first module.
This marks my first time exhibiting with Artists in the Meadows, and I am excited to be showing work in a new venue and alongside a vibrant community of local artists.
If you are nearby, drop in and take a look. I would love to hear what Trust It evokes for you.
If you are nearby, drop in and take a look. I would love to hear what Trust It evokes for you.
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
This marks my first time exhibiting with Artists in the Meadows, and I am excited to be showing work in a new venue and alongside a vibrant community of local artists.
If you are nearby, drop in and take a look. I would love to hear what Trust It evokes for you.
If you are nearby, drop in and take a look. I would love to hear what Trust It evokes for you.
The exhibition runs throughout December at 32, The Meadows Shopping Centre, 42–47 High Street, Chelmsford CM2 6FD.
Open 10-4 daily.
Open 10-4 daily.
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
The exhibition runs throughout December at 32, The Meadows Shopping Centre, 42–47 High Street, Chelmsford CM2 6FD.
Open 10-4 daily.
Open 10-4 daily.
The piece brings together layered text, abstract forms, and mark-making that explore uncertainty, repetition, and the quiet negotiations we make with ourselves when navigating change and identity.
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
The piece brings together layered text, abstract forms, and mark-making that explore uncertainty, repetition, and the quiet negotiations we make with ourselves when navigating change and identity.
I am delighted to share that my artwork Trust It will soon be on display as part of Artists in the Meadows: Best Exhibition Ever.
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I am delighted to share that my artwork Trust It will soon be on display as part of Artists in the Meadows: Best Exhibition Ever.
It's all in the layers. Some pre-painting and pre-drawing before the drawing and painting.
Another identity outcome for my upcoming exhibition at Patch Colchester in February!
Did you know I used to want to be a chef 👩🍳
Another identity outcome for my upcoming exhibition at Patch Colchester in February!
Did you know I used to want to be a chef 👩🍳
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
It's all in the layers. Some pre-painting and pre-drawing before the drawing and painting.
Another identity outcome for my upcoming exhibition at Patch Colchester in February!
Did you know I used to want to be a chef 👩🍳
Another identity outcome for my upcoming exhibition at Patch Colchester in February!
Did you know I used to want to be a chef 👩🍳
Course dates:
• Session 1 — 3 December 2025
• Session 2 — 4 March 2026
• Session 3 — 3 June 2026
Format: Online, 4–6pm
Cost: £75 (NSEAD members) / £150 (non-members)
I am looking forward to starting this journey with the first group!
@nsead.bsky.social
• Session 1 — 3 December 2025
• Session 2 — 4 March 2026
• Session 3 — 3 June 2026
Format: Online, 4–6pm
Cost: £75 (NSEAD members) / £150 (non-members)
I am looking forward to starting this journey with the first group!
@nsead.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Course dates:
• Session 1 — 3 December 2025
• Session 2 — 4 March 2026
• Session 3 — 3 June 2026
Format: Online, 4–6pm
Cost: £75 (NSEAD members) / £150 (non-members)
I am looking forward to starting this journey with the first group!
@nsead.bsky.social
• Session 1 — 3 December 2025
• Session 2 — 4 March 2026
• Session 3 — 3 June 2026
Format: Online, 4–6pm
Cost: £75 (NSEAD members) / £150 (non-members)
I am looking forward to starting this journey with the first group!
@nsead.bsky.social
If you are working in the post-16 sector and want structured space to explore your professional identity, you can find full details and enrol using the link below.
Sign up here: www.eventbookings.com/b/event/lead...
@nsead.bsky.social
Sign up here: www.eventbookings.com/b/event/lead...
@nsead.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
If you are working in the post-16 sector and want structured space to explore your professional identity, you can find full details and enrol using the link below.
Sign up here: www.eventbookings.com/b/event/lead...
@nsead.bsky.social
Sign up here: www.eventbookings.com/b/event/lead...
@nsead.bsky.social
Across the programme, we will work with the network of enterprises, visual methods, provocations, and reflective tools to support deeper understanding of practice in post-16 art and design.
@nsead.bsky.social
@nsead.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Across the programme, we will work with the network of enterprises, visual methods, provocations, and reflective tools to support deeper understanding of practice in post-16 art and design.
@nsead.bsky.social
@nsead.bsky.social
This three-part online National Society for Education in Art and Design course invites colleagues to examine their professional identities through the lens of the Educator–Artist–Researcher (EAR) framework.
@nsead.bsky.social
@nsead.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This three-part online National Society for Education in Art and Design course invites colleagues to examine their professional identities through the lens of the Educator–Artist–Researcher (EAR) framework.
@nsead.bsky.social
@nsead.bsky.social
Session 1 is ready to go, and I am looking forward to welcoming the first cohort on 3 December for Leading Art & Design: Exploring your Educator–Artist–Researcher Identity in the Post-16 Sector.
@nsead.bsky.social
@nsead.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Session 1 is ready to go, and I am looking forward to welcoming the first cohort on 3 December for Leading Art & Design: Exploring your Educator–Artist–Researcher Identity in the Post-16 Sector.
@nsead.bsky.social
@nsead.bsky.social
Yesterday evening, painting in the near dark.
Some prep for something new!
#Studio #ArtStudio #NewArt #BTS #WorkInProgress #Paint #Board
#CreativeColchester #ColchesterArtist #EssexArtist #AbbieCairns
Some prep for something new!
#Studio #ArtStudio #NewArt #BTS #WorkInProgress #Paint #Board
#CreativeColchester #ColchesterArtist #EssexArtist #AbbieCairns
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Yesterday evening, painting in the near dark.
Some prep for something new!
#Studio #ArtStudio #NewArt #BTS #WorkInProgress #Paint #Board
#CreativeColchester #ColchesterArtist #EssexArtist #AbbieCairns
Some prep for something new!
#Studio #ArtStudio #NewArt #BTS #WorkInProgress #Paint #Board
#CreativeColchester #ColchesterArtist #EssexArtist #AbbieCairns
My works make up just a small contribution to this exhibition that brings together a mix of established and emerging local artists.
A huge well done to everyone involved in shaping Better Together. It is a thoughtful, generous show and well worth a visit.
A huge well done to everyone involved in shaping Better Together. It is a thoughtful, generous show and well worth a visit.
November 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
My works make up just a small contribution to this exhibition that brings together a mix of established and emerging local artists.
A huge well done to everyone involved in shaping Better Together. It is a thoughtful, generous show and well worth a visit.
A huge well done to everyone involved in shaping Better Together. It is a thoughtful, generous show and well worth a visit.
It is always a joy to see my work at The Minories. It is kne of my favourite places to show my work. Within Better Together, I am showing three interconnected pieces that explore togetherness and identity.
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
It is always a joy to see my work at The Minories. It is kne of my favourite places to show my work. Within Better Together, I am showing three interconnected pieces that explore togetherness and identity.
I finally made it into The Minories to see Better Together, and the exhibition closes this weekend. If you can, pop in before Sunday to catch it.
November 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I finally made it into The Minories to see Better Together, and the exhibition closes this weekend. If you can, pop in before Sunday to catch it.
The discussion helped crystallise what ESD can look like in practice across FE (including adult ed!) and skills, moving beyond statements of intent toward meaningful, embedded action.
Thanks to ETF for an engaging and timely session.
Thanks to ETF for an engaging and timely session.
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The discussion helped crystallise what ESD can look like in practice across FE (including adult ed!) and skills, moving beyond statements of intent toward meaningful, embedded action.
Thanks to ETF for an engaging and timely session.
Thanks to ETF for an engaging and timely session.
Yesterday’s Education Training Foundation Spotlight on Education for Sustainable Development session with Geoff Flower and Julia Musson was genuinely thought-provoking.
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Yesterday’s Education Training Foundation Spotlight on Education for Sustainable Development session with Geoff Flower and Julia Musson was genuinely thought-provoking.
If you are interested in the lived realities of EARs, or in how professional identities shift within art and design education, I hope you find the discussion useful! Read the blog here: www.nsead.org/publications...
November 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
If you are interested in the lived realities of EARs, or in how professional identities shift within art and design education, I hope you find the discussion useful! Read the blog here: www.nsead.org/publications...
In the blog, I draw together these reflections to consider how identity, community, and practice continue to evolve across our sector.
November 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In the blog, I draw together these reflections to consider how identity, community, and practice continue to evolve across our sector.