Calendar of Courses
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2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WOODCARVING: RELIEF AND CREATIVE
Transform a block of wood into a unique picture. Bring ideas or use Sharon's books for inspiration. Transfer a pattern, use chisels, learn techniques. Beginners and experienced. Sharon Littley (S Wales www.highamhall.com/sharon-littley) Residential: £520 Non-residential: £350
FULLY BOOKED: CHAMBER MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL
For pre-formed trios, quartets and quintets. Groups work together in the mornings at self-selected repertoire. Afternoons free to explore the beautiful surroundings. Remaining sessions for mixed ensembles. Large library of music to explore. Co-ordinator: Louise Latham (Gr. Manchester www.highamhall.com/louise-latham) Residential: £465 Non-residential: £330
3 events,
CREATIVE STITCHING FOR THE TERRIFIED!
A fun way to get serious with stitching little creative projects using a stash of bits and pieces. Basic materials provided, but feel free to bring some of your own if you wish. Ann will guide you with professional tips to see what you can end up with. Relaxed and absorbing, a course to inspire
MODERN ART ON LOCATION: WEST COAST ARTISTS POST-WAR TO THE PRESENT
Elizabeth combines lectures and a full day trip to Cumbrian locations associated with a wealth of (sometimes lesser known) art and writing: poet Norman Nicholson, painters Sheila Fell, Percy Kelly, Bill Bell, Bill Peascod, Conrad Atkinson and photographer Raymond Moore. For fans of 20th century art and social history with a bit of rambling including
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: TRY FOR A DAY: BOTANICAL PAINTING FOR THE TERRIFIED
FULLY BOOKED: TRY FOR A DAY: BOTANICAL PAINTING FOR THE TERRIFIED
Spend the morning building confidence by practising watercolour techniques painting petals, leaves and berries. The afternoon is spent painting flowers and plants from the beautiful gardens here at Higham. Informal, fun and relaxed. Everyone welcome, even if you think you won't be any good! All materials supplied and you get to keep your sketchbook. Lis
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: RUSKIN LACE
A Lake District speciality since 1884, using Needlepoint Lace techniques for drawn thread and cut linen work with geometric designs. Suitable for both beginner and experienced. If required, a starter pack (£12) is purchasable from the Tutor. Karen Quickfall (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/karen-quickfall) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
FULLY BOOKED: SING WITH OTHERS: YES YOU CAN!
If you have minimal experience in singing with others, believe you can't sing, or feel a bit rusty, then this is your discovery course to find your voice and use it in the very first steps of singing together. There will be a holistic approach and a lot of fun along the way. No music
FULLY BOOKED: DISCOVERING PEN AND INK
Create textures, tonal areas and decorative patterns in pen and ink, then combine them to create a finished drawing. With demos throughout and access to a variety of pens to experiment with, by the end you should be able to handle your materials with confidence. Jane Beech (Cheshire www.highamhall.com/jane-beech) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
6 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
White-on-white embroidery. Sample different types and techniques of Whitework or work on your piece. Angie Burt (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/angie-burt) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255
FULLY BOOKED: SCREEN GODDESSES: FROM GARBO TO STREISAND
In the 1920s they were exotic, by the end of the 1960s they were even Jewish, but they were always beautiful and invariably thin. How accurately did Hollywood films reflect the changing status of women in American society and how far did they influence that change? How was it possible that both Doris Day and Marilyn Monroe
FULLY BOOKED: RACHMANINOV’S WORKS FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA
Rachmaninov's reputation rests largely on his piano concertos and his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Includes a special feature on American pianist Van Cliburn who won Russia's top piano competition at the height of the Cold War by playing Rachmaninov. Ian France (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/ian-france) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: STUMPWORK
Coloured silks and metallic threads on heavy silk show insects, fruit, small animals and flowers in Elizabethan stumpwork. A modern piece may be any raised design, inspired by a book, picture or photograph using any fabric and thread you'd like for texture. Jane Matthews (Yorkshire www.highamhall.com/jane-matthews) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 CANVAS WITH A TWIST followsJane
FULLY BOOKED: DRAWING AND PAINTING LAKELAND CHURCHES
The North Lakes has some characterful settings for Churches - atmospheric qualities ideal for mixed-media sketching and painting on location. Join Lionel on five expeditions helping you develop both observational skills in drawing and imaginative use of colour in two or more media combined. Lionel Playford (N Pennines www.highamhall.com/lionel-playford) Residential: £380 Non-residential: £270 (incl.
FULLY BOOKED: INTRO TO MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ILLUMINATION (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
Skills passed down by medieval craftspeople to create small-scale designs using 24 carat gold leaf and pigments (a small amount of lead is possible). No drawing experience necessary, choose from a selection of medieval designs, including illuminated letters. Toni Watts (Lincoln www.highamhall.com/toni-watts) Residential: £290 Non-residential: £210 (incl. materials) Toni's FURTHER ILLUMINATION follows
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: CANVAS WITH A TWIST: THREAD, BEAD AND PAINT
Choose a photo from a selection which will be printed onto an A4 piece of canvas. The excitement is seeing how the image develops as you embellish some areas with stitches in various threads and beads and highlight with metallic paint. Jane Matthews (Yorkshire www.highamhall.com/jane-matthews) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 STUMPWORK precedes
FULLY BOOKED: FURTHER MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ILLUMINATION (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
More advanced illumination: make perfect manuscript gesso using a traditional recipe, lay it smoothly and gild with loose leaf gold. Practical tips on mastering technique, creating raised areas of gilding with a high shine. Those who are already able to make and lay gesso are welcome to work on their own projects with help and
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: YOGA AND WALKING: LATE SUMMER
A perfect mix - sessions of Hatha Yoga (postures, breathing exercises, relaxation) coupled with guided walks of 3-5 miles (requiring a reasonable level of fitness) among the peaceful northern fells - which will leave you feeling supple, relaxed and refreshed! Suitable for beginners and experienced. Gill Hunter with Alan Hunter (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/gill-hunter) Residential: £480 Non-residential:
6 events,
EXPRESSIVE SKETCHBOOKS
Expressive Sketchbooks - loosen up working from what you see (with some outside work, weather permitting). Alex Jakob-Whitworth (Eden Valley www.highamhall.com/alex-jakob-whitworth) Residential:£365 Non-residential: £255
COLOURED PENCILS: LATE SUMMER FRUIT
Use this very forgiving medium, enjoy a relaxing few days of creativity. Draw your subject to show it at its best, choose the right colours, learn tricks to create a beautiful botanical illustration to be proud of. Demos and individual tuition throughout from an RHS gold medal award-winning Tutor. Janie Pirie (Suffolk www.highamhall.com/janie-pirie) Residential: £560
BLAKE & PALMER: VISIONARY & DREAMER
William Blake, renowned for his poem ‘Jerusalem’, is England’s greatest poet/painter. A young disciple of his, Samuel Palmer, found his spirituality in the English landscape, painting images unique to British art. Blake’s complex theology and dramatic pictures are in stark contrast to the gentle pastorals of Palmer’s English countryside. Tim Stimson (Lincolnshire www.highamhall.com/tim-stimson) Residential:
6 events,
ENAMELLING LONG WEEKEND
Work on copper, silver, or steel. Make enamelled jewellery, small tiles, or panels. Skills include: enamel application, kiln use, control and safety, foils, stencils, sgraffito and other techniques as desired. Absolute beginners welcome. Materials purchasable from Tutor (£5-£20 dependent upon project). Tilly Wilkinson (Wirral www.highamhall.com/tilly-wilkinson) Residential: £475 Non-residential: £340
SIBELIUS AND GRIEG
Sibelius (1865-1957) and Grieg (1843-1907) were 2 of the foremost composers to emerge from Scandinavia in the Romantic era. They complement each other well, with the Finnish master excelling in larger-scale symphonic form, and the Norwegian being a supreme craftsman of chamber and piano music, and songs. We will look into their lives and musical
FULLY BOOKED: SWEDISH IMPRESSIONISM: ART AND SOCIETY TRANSFORMED
In this course we will look at The Opponents ,who can be likened to the Swedish Impressionists. Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn, with other significant artists, evolved new ways of depicting their world, whilst concerned that their art should also contribute to a more enlightened society, which they successfully helped to create. Tim Stimson
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: PIANO WORKSHOP
For up to ten players* of Grade 7 and above. Prepare a 20-minute programme to be played and discussed; if possible, bring along spare copies of pieces for others. Suggestions for improvement, style, technique and presentation will be offered. Non-competitive with a joint recital on the last morning. *Non-performing Listeners also welcome. John Gough
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: ELIZABETHAN STYLE EMBROIDERY
This course will introduce you to the beautiful art of Elizabethan Style embroidery. We will create a small-scale design in a hoop using stitches that were commonly used during and appropriate to this period. Suitable for all levels of embroidery knowledge. Helen McCook (Staffordshire www.highamhall.com/helen-mccook) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255 (Materials kit purchasable c£50 from
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: BOTANICAL COLOURED PENCIL: PREPARING FOR AUTUMN – LEAVES, FRUITS AND SEEDS
Botanical Art in Coloured Pencil: Looking at September Forms and Colour. A little research of your own will reveal the diversity of plants used for health, healing, wellbeing and diet. You could combine plants with similar properties. Compose a page of mixed specimens, or just an individual plant, perhaps with details of parts. Relaxed atmosphere,
THE ICE AGE AND ITS AFTERMATH IN LAKELAND
Geological trips (with some rough, possibly muddy, footpaths and a little elevation close to the road) with evening lectures. View glacial landforms and features that have formed since the ice disappeared (screes, landslides, river terraces and floodplains) with landscape changes still happening today. Suitable for all interested in Geology. Prepare for walking and weather!
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: EXQUISITE EMBROIDERY: UNFINISHED OBJECTS (UFOs) AND MOUNTING
This workshop is to help anyone with a part-worked embroidery project that they are stuck on, aren't sure how to progress, or have simply lost their mojo! You can also learn how to mount an embroidery. Helen McCook (Staffordshire www.highamhall.com/helen-mccook) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255 (Materials kit purchasable from Tutor) Follows Helen's Elizabethan course.
6 events,
BOTANICAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
Seed heads and fruit in the hedgerow will inspire you to draw and paint from nature. Accurately portray them in watercolour with help and individual tuition. For both beginners and the more experienced. Marion Wilson SBA (W Cumbria www.highamhall.com/marion-wilson) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255 Marion has also got a new PAINTING FUNGHI course starting 1st
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN: ARCHITECT IN CONTEXT
Mathematician, Engineer, Architect: Wren stamped his genius and personality on late 17th century Britain. From star gazing at Oxford in the 1650s to the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, spend some time in his company, exploring the results of that genius and personality. Dr. Andrew Lacey (Cambridgeshire www.highamhall.com/andrew-lacey) and Mrs Vanessa Lacey Residential: £270
VISITING LAKELAND GARDENS
Join expert Louise on an intimate tour of gardens, some not normally open to the public. Take inspiration and meet gardeners, viewing behind the gates, walls and hedges of some hidden horticultural gems of the Lake District. Louise Stoddart (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/louise-stoddart) Residential: £405 Non-residential: £295 (incl. field trips) A repeat of July's course.
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: FUN WITH ABSTRACTION!
More and more painters are tempted by Abstraction. Some add elements in to modernise their own art. Others just want to have fun and express themselves in a non-realistic way, embracing the freedom. On this joyous painting course, explore colour combinations, compatible shapes, the balance of busy and empty and which compositional formats work most
4 events,
YOU THE JURY: CASEBOOK NUMBER FIVE
After listening to and discussing evidence with fellow Jurors, you will be able to pronounce your verdict on five separate (real-life) murder cases, which occurred between 1900-1975, chosen for the insights they can give us on our judicial system and social history. Come equipped with pen, notebook and open mind... N.B. This format involves lots
3 events,
LACE AS YOU LIKE IT (INCLUDING TANTALISING TORCHON) PT1
*TWIN COURSE* Discover handmade bobbin lace, work on your UFOs and pick Jan's brain. She will also bring patterns from her Tantalising Torchon collection, exploring some more unusual aspects of this neglected lace. Total beginner through to advanced - all welcome! Jan Gardiner (Somerset www.highamhall.com/jan-gardiner) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 (Basic materials purchasable from Tutor
4 events,
LACE AS YOU LIKE IT (INCLUDING TANTALISING TORCHON) PT2
*TWIN COURSE* Discover handmade bobbin lace, work on your UFO's and pick Jan's brain. She will also bring patterns from her Tantalising Torchon collection, exploring some more unusual aspects of this neglected lace. Total beginner through to advanced all welcome! Jan Gardiner (Somerset www.highamhall.com/jan-gardiner) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 (Basic materials purchasable from Tutor c£5-£10.)Jan
UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN ENERGY SYSTEM: INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAKRA SYSTEM
UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN ENERGY SYSTEM: INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAKRA SYSTEM
This workshop will enable participants to explore The Chakra system and its relevance to: living a western lifestyle; work of Drs Deepak Chopra, Candace Pert and Daniel Segal and their mindbody theories for stress management, mental wellness, emotional regulation, self-actualisation and enlightenment; how to bring Chakra awareness into everyday life Lina Mookerjee (N Cumbria www.highamhall.com/lina-mookerjee)
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SKIES, LAND AND SEASCAPE IN SOFT PASTELS
Extend your artistic skills with pastel for seascapes, dramatic skies and landscapes. Demos throughout, support for beginners, encouragement for more experienced with demanding, yet supportive critiques to enable all to reach full potential. Eileen Gardner (Fife www.highamhall.com/eileen-gardner) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255
SHAKESPEARE’S HAMLET
Join us to explore Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, in which the ghost of Hamlet's father urges his introspective son to revenge his murder. The royal court of Denmark slowly disintegrates under the weight of grief, madness and suspicion. Lectures and discussion are supported with film clips throughout. Clare Smout (Shropshire www.highamhall.com/clare-smout) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
4 events,
MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS
Our seasonal opportunity to develop fungi identification skills with a respected expert in a prime natural area. Minibus field trips: easy, but off-path walking. Collect and observe fungi in various habitats, examine finds, accurately identify with a range of keys for identification to both genus and species. For anyone interested in fungi, seasoned or unseasoned,
PAINTING FUNGI
*NEW*A chance for botanical painting alongside our annual MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS course which should mean a wide range of real examples and mycological expertise will be immediately to hand if you wish to deepen your knowledge of your subject. Marion Wilson SBA (W Cumbria highamhall.com/marion-wilson) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255 This is an extra course in