Kids’ Sci-Fi Vortex workshop in Cambridge on 17 August
Children can create futuristic characters and comic-book adventures at the Kids Comic Art Workshop: Sci-Fi Vortex! in Cambridge on Monday 17 August 2026. The session runs from 10.30am to noon at Nightingale Pavilion, costs £12 per child and is intended for children who enjoy comics, doodling or inventing characters. No previous drawing experience is required.
Date, venue and session details
Visit Cambridge Events lists the following practical information:
- Date: 17 August 2026
- Time: 10.30am–12 noon
- Venue: Nightingale Pavilion, Nightingale Recreation Ground, Nightingale Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 8SG
- Price: £12 per session
- Audience: Children interested in comics, drawing and character creation
- Booking: Email russdaff@gmail.com
- Included: Art materials, drinks and biscuits
The pavilion is near Addenbrooke’s Hospital. According to the event listing, the venue is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible, with a designated wheelchair-accessible public toilet.
What children will do during the workshop
Professional comic artist Russ Daff will lead an imaginative drawalong, playful dice games and hands-on comic activities. The workshop uses a story in which Dr Fink accidentally opens a vortex into a mixed-up sci-fi dimension. Participants will respond by drawing strange and futuristic characters and developing their own science-fiction adventures.
The combination of drawing, games and storytelling gives children several ways to contribute ideas rather than requiring them to arrive with a finished concept. The listing says curiosity, imagination and an interest in comics are the only starting points needed, making the session open to beginners as well as children who already draw regularly.
Daff will also bring a library of children’s graphic novels. These will provide visual and storytelling inspiration while participants work on characters and imagined worlds of their own.
About workshop leader Russ Daff
Daff is a professional comic artist and published children’s illustrator who trained at Falmouth School of Art. His graphic novel, Tales of the Emotosphere, was shortlisted for the 2026 Excelsior National Graphic Novel Award.
He previously led a sellout comic art workshop at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus Big Screen. The event description says his workshops combine practical drawing skills with games, storytelling and creative freedom. Daff also works with the Queen Edith’s Community Forum and has received support from Cambridge City Council to expand creative arts provision for children in Queen Edith’s, Cambridge.
Drop-off arrangements and how to book
This is designed as a drop-off session. Parents and carers may stay when their child needs additional support. The source states that Daff and his adult assistant are both DBS checked and that public liability insurance is in place.
Places can be requested by emailing russdaff@gmail.com. Families seeking a place should use that address for booking and for any questions about individual support or access needs before the workshop.
Source: Visit Cambridge Events
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The date, time, venue, price, programme and booking instructions were taken from the Visit Cambridge Events listing.
- Confirmed the workshop date and 10.30am start time
- Matched the venue and Nightingale Avenue address
- Checked the £12 price and booking email
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- Visit Cambridge Events
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- 2026-08-17 09:18
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