Craft + Cuppa: Diya Painting

Date

02 Nov 2026

Time

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Price

FREE

Location

Polden Commons

Location

Polden Commons

ResLife Katie

Paint a little light

Get ready for the festival of lights

Diwali, the festival of lights, is almost here, and we're getting ready to celebrate with an evening of diya painting at this week's Craft + Cuppa.

Diyas are small clay lamps that are lit during Diwali to symbolise the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes, temples and streets glow with them throughout the festival. In this session, you'll paint your own clay diya with bright colours, patterns and designs, ready to take home as a keepsake and a way to bring Diwali to your room.

Whether you celebrate Diwali every year or you're curious to learn about a festival that's new to you, everyone is welcome. Grab a hot drink, settle in and enjoy a calm, creative start to the week with other residents.

No experience needed, and all materials are provided. Just bring yourself and your creativity!

Create. Celebrate. Illuminate.

Polden Common Room is on the ground floor of Polden B Block, next to the Polden Cafe and just along from the West Accommodation Centre. The room is fully accessible with step-free access and a range of booth and table seating. There are accessible toilets on the same floor. ResLife Ambassadors will be there to welcome you.

You'll be able to recognise them in their light blue RLA hoodies and t-shirts with the ResLife logo on.

You can find out more about Polden Common Room here

Craft + Cuppa is a relaxed, drop-in session. There's no formal start or end, so arrive when it suits you and stay for as long (or as little) as you like.

When you arrive, our RLAs will get you set up at a cloth-covered table with a clay diya, paints and brushes, and share some traditional patterns and ideas if you need inspiration. You'll take your diya home with you once it's dry.

There will be some quiet background music playing, and the volume can be changed if you speak to an RLA.

There's no official icebreaker. You can chat with other students while you make, or keep to yourself if that's more your vibe.

Hot drinks will be available throughout. Help us make this a sustainable event by bringing your own mug.

If you need a quieter spot or a break, just let one of our RLAs know and they'll be happy to help.

If you would like to attend more events like this one, make sure to check the ResLife Events page regularly for our latest updates.

For more ways to connect, you can see events hosted by the SU here, as well as information on societies and how you can join.

Please note:

We have photographers and film-makers at some of our events to capture footage to share online and for use in future promotional materials. If you don't want to be featured, please inform a member of the ResLife Team.