Join us in celebrating nature and creativity as we bid farewell to autumn and welcome the darker months with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

Taking inspiration from your own personal experiences and memories in the landscape we will begin to explore these through colour, density and texture. You will weave unique three-dimensional forms using natural materials so you can preserve and treasure those moments forever.

Your tutor will demonstrate several simple techniques including random weaving, which will help you create our structure and explore different approaches. Using your intuition and learnt skills you will have the time and space to experiment and refine your ideas. On the first day you will experiment with weaving two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces. Your tutor encourages students to share ideas and any techniques they might already know with each other.

On the second day we will plan out our woven vessels, prepare our materials and begin to create our structures using various moulds and formers. You will then be encouraged to recall your autumnal memories by layering colour, texture and density onto the vessels in order to create unique one-off artworks which are evocative of nature to you.

Whether you're a beginner or a practicing artist, this workshop is perfect for anyone interested in connecting with nature to unwind and appreciate the beauty of nature's palette.

Included

On this course the tutor will supply all of the materials including weaving materials and different shaped formers to create three-dimensional vessels

What students need to bring

Please bring inspirational images and/or foraged objects from nature to inspire your creative explorations of autumn.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Please be aware that natural materials may cause dust allergies.

Daily Timetable

Course teaching 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching 11am-1pm
Lunch break between 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions