A colourful and spicy Mexican Week of short courses at West Dean College will focus on inspiration from Mexican culture, both traditional and contemporary. The mix of tutors includes those who are either native to Mexico or whose working practices are influenced by Mexican aesthetics. Mexican Week (18 - 23 October) is supported by Anglo Arts, the culture department of The Anglo Mexican Foundation, dedicated to promoting British culture in Mexico and bringing a taste of Mexican culture to the United Kingdom.

Learn to use egg tempera and make your own pigments to complete a painting. Painting in egg tempera: make vibrant pigments and explore techniques with Maz Jackson (Suitable for all £571).

Use myths, poems and legends from Mexico to inspire your paintings. Painting inspired by Mexico: dreams and miracles with Christopher Corr (Suitable for all £520).

Create different prints from a single plate using the drypoint technique. Explore how adding new elements or eliminating others can build up multi-layered images to create unique prints. Experimental printmaking with Demián Flores(Intermediate £569).

Be inspired by the colours, textiles, plants and artefacts of Mexico and explore different shapes and forms that can be cast in resin. Begin by carving in plaster then learn how to make a rubber mould and the methods for casting to create stunning, individual pieces of jewellery. Inspired by Mexico - make resin jewellery with Sophie Simone Cortina (Suitable for all £564).

Learn from a Mexican master of papier-mâché making a range of decorative objects with inspiration from Mexican Festival. The Day of the Dead. Embellish and decorate your finished pieces from a treasure trove of jewels, sparkles, lucky charms and transfers. Make papier-mâché boxes, masks and figures with Boris Spider (Suitable for all £559).

Learn to make fluid, fashionable and wearable clothes without a traditional dress pattern. Starting with plain fabric you will gain experience of how to structure, plan and piece a garment before working on your own design. Freeform pattern cutting and garment making with Mexican panache with Carmen Rion (Intermediate £539).

Master various silk painting methods, using resists and dyes in different applications to alter effects, while taking inspiration from vibrant Mexican imagery. Drawing figurative or abstract images on the silk, you can also add a hand embroidered tufting technique used in traditional Mexican textiles to complement your piece. Vibrant silk painting - inspired by Mexico with Hilary Simon (Suitable for all £539).

Learn traditional Mexican crafts - sequin embroidery, alebrijes (multi-colour acrylic painting), making three-dimensional fabric flowers and working with corn husks to create embellished artefacts. Explore these exciting techniques using designs of the Virgin of Guadalupe - an image that unites both the Aztec and Spanish cultures that define Mexico. Mexican appliqué art textiles and crafts with Katina Riba (Suitable for all £539).

ACCOMMODATION AT WEST DEAN

Wake up to beautiful views over the Sussex Downs in the stately splendour of a country mansion. The bedrooms are a mixture of contemporary and traditional styling. Student rates from £55 Bed & Breakfast.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about Short Courses at West Dean and to browse the digital brochure visit www.westdean.org.uk First time bookings receive a 10% discount telephone bookings only call +44 (0)2143 818300.

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Notes to editors:

• West Dean Gardens are part of The Edward James Foundation which also comprises West Dean College, West Dean Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio. Charity No. 1126084.
• The Anglo Mexican Foundation www.angloarts.mx.
• The award winning Gardens are open from 1 February - 20 December with special event days throughout the year; Easter Egg Trails for children (1 - 6 April), Annual House Opening (9 & 10 May), Design and Craft Fair (19 - 21 June), 20th Anniversary Chilli Fiesta (7 - 9 August), Half Term Halloween activities (26 - 31 October) and Father Christmas visits (12 & 13 and 19 & 20 December).
• The College runs over 700 short courses in arts, crafts, gardening, music and creative writing each year as well as full time postgraduate programmes in Conservation and Creative Arts.
• All photography is free to use for editorial purposes.
• Any journalist interested in visiting the Gardens, attending a course or an event for news or review purposes or filming at West Dean should contact the Media Relations Team.
• West Dean College is situated on the A286, six miles north of Chichester and within easy access of Portsmouth, Guildford, Brighton and London.