Compass and Action Hero are constructing 2000 paper buildings for an interactive installation at Compass Festival in November 2026, and we need your help!

 

Since January 2026, we’ve been working with local architects 3xa Design, Page Park, Bauman Lyons, Whitby Wood & KPP to design paper models of Leeds’ houses, shops & iconic landmarks.

Over the next 6 months, we’re inviting Leeds residents to construct a miniature city through a series of free paper-modelling workshops hosted in libraries & community centres in neighbourhoods across the borough.

We’ve partnered up with 18 community groups and libraries in neighbourhoods across Leeds, where free workshops will be taking place throughout summer.

The workshops will be hosted by 3 incredible local artists: Ed Thompson (@edekthompson) Michaela Lesayova (@___livingwell) and Mahshid Alavi (@mahshidea). 

A person wearing a jade coloured jacket is holding a paper model of a house in both hands and is sitting a dark wooden table with a pair of scissors, cutting board & paper scraps on the surface
Image credit: Verity Hannaway-Mackay

Important information

  • Each workshop is 2* hours long (*with the exception of the workshops at Leeds City Museum, which are 1 hour long)
  • All materials will be provided. You’re very welcome to take some paper-modelling packs home with you to continue the activity at home. If you do, please return your completed paper buildings to the workshop location- the team there will keep them safe before being collected by a member of the Compass team.
  • Due to the use of craft knives, the sessions are age restricted 10 years +. Children under 10 years of age are of course welcome to along to the sessions with their guardian.
  • All participants will be asked to sign a craft knife waiver.

On arrival at the workshop, please ask a member of staff to direct you to the From Ashes workshop room.

Below you will find a list of all of our upcoming workshops, along with a booking link to reserve your free spot. Please email any questions about the workshops to producing@compassliveart.org.uk.

Images of people participating in From Ashes paper-modelling workshops
Image credit: Verity Hannaway-Mackay

Workshop Listings

JUNE

  • Mon 22 June, 10am-12pm, Rothwell Community (Rothwell, LS26 0AD) BOOK HERE 
  • Tue 23 June, 1-3pm, The Compton Centre Community Hub (Harehills, LS9 7BG) BOOK HERE

JULY

  • Wed 1 July, 3-4pm, “Keep Crafting” adult craft group, Leeds City Museum (Leeds City-Centre, LS2 8BH) BOOK HERE
  • Tue 14 July, 10am-12pm, Armley Community Hub & Library (Armley, LS12 1UQ) BOOK HERE
  • Thu 16 July, 1-3pm, Seacroft Community Hub & Library (Seacroft, LS14 6JD) BOOK HERE
  • Wed 22 July, 4.30-7.30pm, Left Bank (Hyde Park/ Burley, LS6 1LJ) BOOK HERE

AUGUST

  • Sat 1 Aug, 10am-12pm, Space2 Leeds (Gipton, LS9 6NL) BOOK HERE
  • Tue 18 Aug, 1-3pm, The Compton Centre, Community Hub & Library (Harehills, LS9 7BG) BOOK HERE
  • Mon 24 August, 10am-12pm, Hunslet Community Hub & Library (Hunslet, LS10 2NS) BOOK HERE

SEPTEMBER 

  • Wed 2 September, 3-4pm, “Keep Crafting” adult craft group, Leeds City Museum (Leeds City-Centre, LS2 8BH) BOOK HERE
  • Sat 19 September, 1-3pm, Pudsey Library (Pudsey, LS28 7TY), Booking link pending

 

Want to bring a From Ashes workshop to your school, place of work or local community space? Please email producing@compassliveart.org.uk and we will take the conversation from there!