When: Friday 7 August 2026, 10AM - 4PM
Where: Coventry University, Delia Derbyshire Building, Cox St, Coventry CV1 5PH
Booking: Free workshop (limited capacity). Booking essential.
Making Things Move is a hands-on introduction to motion and mechanics for artists, makers, and the curious. You’ll learn how to bring movement to your artwork using motors, servos, and micro- controllers - no coding experience required! Working with everyday materials you’ll discover how small gestures like a tilt, twitch, or spin can completely change the way an object feels. This workshop is about behaviour and technology: how an uncanny movement can create emotion, humour, or intent within an object.
In this workshop we will:
- Cover how servos and sensors work, and how to connect them with microcontrollers.
- Experiments with materials to explore how objects can move, subtly or dramatically.
- Participants will produce a kinetic prototype to take home.
- We will also explore contemporary examples of kinetic and robotic art.
There will be a break for lunch. Please bring lunch with you, or you can purchase lunch on campus at our cafe, The Hub, or from a nearby supermarket.
Who’s it for?
- Artists and makers who want to animate sculpture, objects, or installations.
- Educators and community artists seeking approachable STEAM-based activities.
- Keen learners and hobbyists who enjoy tinkering, building, or re-imagining.
- No prior technical knowledge is needed!
- This session is not for current Coventry University students. Students will have access to a like for like workshop during term time.
Artists for inspiration:
Tobias Bradford – kinetic installations that breathe and twitch.
Ingrid Bachmann – everyday objects that hum, blink, and respond.
Chico MacMurtrie – large-scale robotic forms and inflatable machines.
Sougwen Chung – human-machine collaboration through drawing and robotics.
Making Things Move is delivered by Coventry University. It is supported by Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands and Contemporary Visual Arts Network West Midlands as part of Ode to the Midlands. The programme invests in artists, organisations, and audiences across the Midlands, strengthening regional connections and expanding access to digital visual arts.
This event forms part of a wider series of Ode to the Midlands workshops, generously supported by universities and partners across the East and West Midlands. All workshops are free and open to the public, offering opportunities to develop digital skills, encourage experimentation, and build confidence across the sector.
Ode to the Midlands is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Access: The workshop space is physically accessible. There is lift and accessible toilet facilities on site. If participants require specific access needs or have any further questions about this workshop please email: ad4502@coventry.ac.uk.
For information on traveling to Coventry University, please visit their website.
