Workshops, Lectures & Activities

Free, Cost involved, Timed sessions

Pre-booking necessary at the Information Centre

Art in Herts

An opportunity for you to meet members from some of the art & craft groups from around the county. A new feature for the Festival of Living Crafts 2008, the Art in Herts pavilion will be filled with interest and activities. If you have ever thought of joining a local art or craft group and finding out what they do, now is your chance!

Painting with Light Experience

For the first time since the art form was invented twenty-six years ago, the secrets behind the preparation of a finished “Photo-Graphics” are revealed and you are invited to engage with that process and create your own unique composition at the show.

Drawing Masterclass

Join internationally renowned artist Julia Sorrell to develop your drawing skills, using charcoal, pen & ink, pastels and chalk. Julia will improve your technique using natural forms as the subject. All materials provided.

Glassblowing

Watch a beautiful vase or bowl being created from a molten gob of glass with spectacular demonstrations by skilled artisans from Barleylands Glassworks.

Wildlife Painting

'Have-a-go' at wildlife painting. Join professional artist Linda Wain who will giving instruction on how to paint wildlife with live animals as subjects. Materials provided.

Pyrography Workshop

Pyrography 'hands on' workshop and demonstration. 'Burning Ambition' offers the opportunity to make your own plaque, coaster or key fob with the guidance and instruction of a very skilled ex Head of Art! Work can be taken home at the end of the day.

Clay Days

Lucienne de Mauny will hold fun open sessions teaching construction techniques and the skills used in modelling clay. 'Hands on' session are also available for primary or secondary school groups (& their teachers) who would like to establish or develop clay work in their schools. Themes for the work can be discussed beforehand and a resource pack for teachers will be available. These courses will run on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th from 10.45am - 1.00pm or 2.15pm - 4.30pm. (Max. group size: 16)

Collagraph Print Workshops

A collagraph is produced when a printing plate is textured by scouring, peeling back and sticking on textured materials such as wallpaper, sand and organic matter, eg. rice and seeds. The plate is then sealed, inked and pulled through a press before being hand embellished. Kim Major George will be running three workshop sessions at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.30pm. Each will be about 1hr long and the finished work can be taken home when dry. (Max. of 8 people per session)

Puppet Theatre and Workshop

Performances at 11.30am and 2.30pm
Workshops at 1.00pm and 4.00pm.

Performances of 'The Mousehole Cat' by the professional theatre company, Puppet Craft, featuring beautiful wooden puppets. Also workshops giving the opportunity to discuss or ask about the puppets, the performance and how to make and experiment with simple ideas for puppetry.
Duration of each activity approximately 50 minutes.

Raku Firing

Glaze and fire your own pot. Select your piece from a range of prepared vessels and choose the colour for your glazes. The firing takes around 10 minutes and the finished piece can be taken home.

Watercolour Lectures

Timed demonstrations and lectures by artist Tony Cowlishaw who specialises in tranquil and atmospheric English watercolour paintings of rural landscapes, coastal and marine scenes. Simplified talks for groups of schoolchildren will be available by request. Aided by video close ups as he works and talks.

Lectures at 11.00am and 1.00pm and 3.15pm.

Ceramic Painting

'Paint Pots' offer the opportunity to try ceramic painting. Choose your piece, paint it with underglaze colours and have it professionally glazed and fired. Your artwork will then be posted to your school or home.

Silk painting [Cost incurred if an individually painted item is sent to your school or home]

A vibrant and contemporary display of silk painting, exhibited by The Guild of Silk Painters, incorporating a wide variety of skills and techniques by many different artists. Also an opportunity to try your hand at this vibrant craft. Either 'have a go' on a sampler or, for a small charge, paint your own silk which will be professionally fixed and sent to your school or home.

Costume Drawing Workshop

Costume drawing workshop for children aged over 7 years. An opportunity to design and draw an outfit under the guidance of an experienced costume designer. A range of ideas suitable for both boys and girls.

Ceramic Working Studio

A ceramic studio where the ceramicist can demonstrate and discuss all the various stages of ceramic construction, from start to finish.

Potters Wheel

Try throwing an earthenware pot on a potters wheel. Tuition and expert guidance given. Protective apron provided!

Jewellery Studio

Visit a working silversmithing studio and see a ring being crafted from start to finish. Also demonstrations of the lost wax casting technique.

Willow Weaving

Try your hand at willow weaving with instructor Adrian Charlton. The basic form will have been created for you and you will find out how fascinating this ancient craft is.

Felt Making

Demonstrations and 'have a go' sessions of the ancient craft of feltmaking - the transformation of sheeps wool with soap, water and other materials, into contemporary clothing, toys, jewellery, art and functional items.

Spinning and Weaving

Try your hand at these ancient crafts with up to six different types of wheels and looms.

Talks on Nelson and the crafts involved during the construction of HMS Victory

Timed talks about Nelson and the techniques used to construct the Navy's flagship of the day, HMS Victory. You will be amazed by some of the facts and figures. Also see some beautiful craftwork made from the original oak, copper and other materials salvaged during the restoration of HMS Victory.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THESE AND ALL THE OTHER EXCITING ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE AT LIVING CRAFTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE LIVING CRAFTS OFFICE ON 023 9286 3871.