Organising Workshops

Textile workshops are something I have run alongside my artwork since 2016, when I was part of a group of artists in residence at Sussex Prairie Gardens.  I have always enjoyed sharing what I do with others and it is great to see what other people create when given starting points, some structure and permission to play.

As a college lecturer with 20 years experience of lesson planning I am very used to teaching, however the feel of a workshop is very different.  People are often booking as a treat or a recreational activity so it needs to feel relaxed, informal and enjoyable whilst balancing the need to produce something from the session that participants feel a sense of achievement with.

Not having to produce official paperwork or meet examining body requirements is a joy!  However planning is key to a successful workshop and taking all the equipment and materials to a venue involves a lot of careful organisation and good storage systems.  Ensuring I meet the needs of complete beginners so they can build their confidence, and experienced participants who want to extend their skills is important, so individual tutorials are always a feature of my workshops as well as getting to know the participants.

One of the biggest lessons continues to be not trying to cram too much into a workshop, sometimes the simplest one technique workshops like batik or appliqué, or hand painting with stitch are the most successful. 

I have a couple of one day workshops coming up this summer with further details on my calendar. 

Do get in touch if you would like more information.