Aubergine Arts continues free neurodivergent-friendly creative programme in Cardiff
Aubergine Arts
Aubergine Arts is continuing its programme of free, neurodivergent-friendly workshops, open mics and creative events in Cardiff, supported through a second round of Arts Council of Wales Create funding.
Events take place at Aubergine Café and other arts and community spaces across the city, creating welcoming opportunities to try something creative, develop skills, perform or simply come along and listen.
Aubergine CIC is proud to announce that Aubergine Arts is continuing its programme of free creative workshops, open mics and events, designed with neurodivergent people in mind while being open and welcoming to everyone.
The programme brings together artists working across writing, visual arts, craft, performance and other creative practices. Events take place at Aubergine Café, alongside activity with partner arts spaces and organisations across Cardiff.
The regular Aubergine Open Mic Night, hosted by Frances Abigail Bolley, offers a relaxed and supportive space for music, poetry and other performance. People can perform, with no pressure to take part. Visitors can also enjoy a range of Vegan dishes, snacks and drinks at Aubergine Café
Alongside the open mic nights, the programme includes:
20 August, 6pm to 8pm: Cross-Stitch with Mab Jones, Aubergine Café
Have fun with colourful threads and wooden blanks and create a keyring, bookmark or wall hanging to take home. The workshop is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.
3 September, 6pm to 8pm: Embracing Imperfections with Ink Sketching with Howl Hubbard, Aubergine Café
A reflective drawing workshop exploring messy and unintentional mark-making, with no pencils or erasers allowed!
17 September, 6pm to 8pm: Fungal Folklore: Zine Making with Izzy McLeod, Aubergine Café
Explore the weird and wonderful world of fungi, discover some of the Welsh folklore associated with them and make your own zines.
1 October, 6pm to 8pm: Poetry and Performance with Rachel Helena Walsh, Aubergine Café
A workshop exploring inspiration, writing prompts and performance techniques for anyone interested in creating poetry and performing words.
Fortnightly Open Mic nights, take place on 13 and 27 August and 10 and 24 September 2026.
Aubergine Arts is also working with NoFit State Community Circus on further workshops. Dates and details are currently being confirmed and will be announced separately.
The programme will culminate in a showcase bringing together work and performers from across the programme. The venue, date and time are still to be confirmed.
A neurodivergent-friendly approach
Accessibility and neuro-inclusion are built into the programme rather than treated as an addition.
Events at Aubergine Café offer a small and supportive environment, with fidget toys and ear defenders available, a visual story, wheelchair access and an accessible toilet.
The programme is designed to give people different ways to engage. People can try something unfamiliar, develop an existing creative interest, perform in front of a supportive audience or attend without pressure to actively take part.
“Through last year’s arts programme, we learned that there is a community of neurodivergent creatives that are just yearning for space and opportunity to be able to express their art, develop and create. There are so many gifts and talents in our community, what’s lacking is neurodivergently accessible opportunities to share and grow what we have.
So many creative programmes that would benefit the neurodivergent community are not accessible to us. We don’t know what is expected, and we don’t know what to expect. When we don’t know if we’ll be accepted, or if our needs will be accommodated, we’re not turning up.
This year we have had the opportunity to collaborate with other venues and creative organisations, such as The Sustainable Studio, No Fit State, Porters, Sherman Theatre and Ardour Academy. This has allowed us to offer things like sewing and circus workshops that we couldn’t in our cafe. It’s also allowed us to introduce our community to new spaces and activities, and build connections they might not have otherwise accessed.” Frances Abigail Bolley, Aubergine Arts Programme Manager.
About the artists
Mab Jones is a writer and artist with extensive workshop facilitation experience. She was recently Artist in Residence in Barry and Penarth Library Makerspaces through ArcadeCampfa. She is the author of eight books and has taught for Cardiff University, Nexus Literature and Arts, the Cultural Youth Olympiad and others.
Howl Hubbard is a multidisciplinary artist, convenor and practitioner whose practice explores nature and embodiment through art and community care. They are the founder of Lone Worlds and Garddio.
Izzy McLeod is a science communicator and participatory arts facilitator focused on queer ecology and mycology. Their work explores fungi, nature connection, LGBTQ+ rights, disability justice and Welsh folklore through workshops, walks and zines.
Rachel Helena Walsh is an Irish performer, artist and poet based in Wales. She runs Poetry For You at Cardiff Market and co-runs Moonchild Poetry at Porter's, alongside working across live art, radio, spoken word, theatre and clown.
Made possible by Arts Council of Wales Create funding.
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Date for the diary - Aubergine Cafe is also hosting a FREE end of Summer Pizza Party on Saturday 5 September from 1-5pm, Cathays Community Centre. Come and see out the summer with Aubergine. Hang out, make your own pick 'n' mix vegan pizzas, make some art and help shape what Aubergine does next. No art experience needed. No pressure to join in with everything.
