Plants are our Teachers workshops

2023 sees the exciting launch of the year long Plants are our Teachers programme.

Over a series of bi-monthly weekend workshops participants will be led on a journey of learning from plants through deep attention. Different approaches to drawing, painting and printmaking will open up new ways of seeing, to build a conversation and kinship with the natural world. Workshops take place at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, working outside or in the shelter of the A+E project space (in the Chapter House). Participants will be expertly guided through different approaches to drawing, painting and printmaking by the experienced artist and teacher Sarah Gittins.

These workshops are suitable for all levels of experience and ability, from beginners to advanced.

Workshop Details:

March 11th-12th

Drawing the Path of Spring: making mixed media, drawn scrolls that celebrate the flowers, growth and colours of early spring. This workshop includes a close look at the flowers lining the paths of Phoebe Anna Traquair’s Song School Mural (located onsite).

May 13th-14th 

Blossom Print: a celebration of blossom through drawing and relief print. Paying close attention to seasonal blossoms through observational and expressive drawings and linocut print carving. Each participant will make a small edition of prints, adding colour through chine colle.

July 8th-9th 

Climbing Inside a Flower: taking a bee’s eye view of summer colour. This workshop promises a rich immersion in the worlds of flower colour observation, colour mixing and oil painting.

September 9th-10th

Drawing a Homage to the Harvest: a celebration of food plants. Celebrating the plants of the allotment garden and hedgerow through exploratory drawing. Using foraged, plant-based inks and mixed-media.

November 11th-12th

Being with the Earth: drawing and painting withering and wintering. Making and using simple earth pigments, we will observe the dying back and return to earth of garden plants in the winter. From swift studies made through close observation, a small series of paintings will be developed to tell a story of wintering.

Workshops will run over weekends from 10am to 4.30pm

Prices

One workshop: £120 (£80)*

Block booking discount: all five workshops for £500 (£350)*

(*Limited subsidised places are available on request.)

Participants may wish to sign up for the whole series of workshops or to book particular sessions if preferred. The course fees include all materials.

Contact A+E for further details and booking.