Calendar of Courses
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3 events,
PATCHWORK: BARGELLO
Bargello is usually thought of as an Italian embroidery/tapestry technique, but in this course we are going to be tackling the patchwork version. Use from five to fifteen fabrics to construct the design of your choice – or there is a two-fabric alternative. You can choose to make a wall hanging or a full quilt;
WILLOW ANIMAL SCULPTURES
Delve into the creative world of willow animal sculpture with Phil Bradley, who has been a full-time professional basket-maker and willow sculptor since 1995. With Phil's patient and skillful guidance you will produce at least two sculptural pieces…a bird and a hare or small deer. All materials and tools provided. Phil Bradley (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/phil-bradley) Residential:
PAINTING THE SEA
Cumbria's west coast boasts a wide variety of shoreline subjects for the painter, from dramatic cliffs to tranquil seascapes. Join professional landscape painter Lionel Playford visiting old harbours, sandy beaches, rocky headlands and salt marshes for inspiration. Sharpen up your skills drawing en plein air and learn some useful techniques to capture the dynamism of
4 events,
CALICO GARDENS HAND EMBROIDERY
Calico Gardens embroidery is stitched in tones and shades of one or a few closely matched neutral colours, with subtle enhancements using different threads and stitches to create lots of texture and 3D effects. Beginners and experienced embroiderers all welcome. You can choose to work either on a Calico Garden Sampler to frame once finished,
AN INTRODUCTION TO ZEN AND JAPANESE PHILOSOPHY
Japanese philosophy has historically been a fusion of both indigenous Shinto and continental religions such as Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Having spent centuries in the orbit of both Chinese philosophy and Indian philosophy, modern Japanese thought draws on both of these cultural influences, resulting in a rich religio-philosophical worldview which underpins Japanese aesthetic concepts such
5 events,
A WELCOME IN THE HILLS: REFUGEES IN CUMBRIA IN THE 1930s
During the 1930s, as today, Cumbria hosted many refugee communities. This course will investigate the stories of refugees who fled fascism in Spain, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Austria and who found refuge in Cumbria. It includes a visit to Carlisle Archive Centre to look at the range of documents, photographs and other sources which have survived
8 events,
CALICO GARDENS HAND EMBROIDERY
Calico Gardens embroidery is stitched in tones and shades of one or a few closely matched neutral colours, with subtle enhancements using different threads and stitches to create lots of texture and 3D effects. Beginners and experienced embroiderers all welcome. You can choose to work either on a Calico Garden Sampler to frame once finished,
PALETTE KNIFE EXPERIMENTS
Learn to use the palette knife as part of your mark-making repertoire. Have fun applying paint without a brush! Using drag, scrape and spread techniques. Explore the sculptural qualities of paint playing with textures and layers and mixing colours directly on the surface of the canvas. This humble artist’s tool can unlock many new possibilities
BLOW! INTERMEDIATE WOODWIND WEEKEND
For grades 3 - 5 Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon. Small and larger group playing under patient and supportive professional instruction. A great way to develop your playing! Notify us of instrument when booking. Catriona will also lead the STARTERS' MINI-ORCHESTRA course, 23-25 August. Catriona Melville-Mason Residential: £290 Non-residential: £210
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO NATURE
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO NATURE
Ever pondered the profound mysteries of nature? Can Arne Naess’s deep ecology unveil the wisdom inherent in our connection with the natural world? How does Soga Ryojin’s assertion, “We cannot rise above nature,” resonate in a world balancing technological marvels and ecological consciousness? Join us in exploring these questions, as we attempt to guide ourselves towards a
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WIND SERENADES SUMMER SCHOOL
Wind Chamber course for high-advanced amateur players (diploma standard level 1 minimum) to work in-depth on substantial original repertoire with the highest level of tuition. All works studied will be performed complete in informal concerts on the last day. The course includes a mid-week tutors' concert. All applications to be made initially through Laurence to
2 events,
A VERY SPECIAL WOODWIND RECITAL
A VERY SPECIAL WOODWIND RECITAL
An hour of memorable musical performances, held in our wonderful oak-floored lecture room. Laurence Perkins (bassoon) with Philippa Davies (flute), Colin Honour (clarinet) and Jan Willem Nelleke (piano). Bar open before and after the performance. No interval. ADMISSION £10 Proceeds to Stroke Association.
5 events,
SCULPTURAL NEEDLEFELT
Create a characterful sculpture, c.12-18 inches in size, using wool fibres based on a wire armature. There will be plenty of sources of inspiration and support to try one of a range of stylistic approaches, from art deco abstraction to stone carving and caricature. Sympathetic, patient and knowledgeable guidance from an outstanding felt artist (http://www.furzie.co.uk).
WHAT IS FREEDOM OF THE WILL? DO WE HAVE IT?
Most people believe that they have freedom of the will. Philosophers, however, disagree over whether or not this belief is correct. In this short course, we will consider religious, scientific, ethical and literary views concerning what freedom of the will might be and decide for ourselves whether or not any of these present a compelling case for freedom.
PEWTERWORK
Learn to give form and texture to flat sheet metal. Popularised by the Arts and Crafts Movement, pewterwork uses no heat, heavy tools, or machinery. Simple hand-held tools and an ability to follow direction are all that are needed to produce decorative pieces to wear or give as gifts. All materials are provided. Tilly Wilkinson
AN INFORMAL (& FREE) WOODWIND CONCERT – IN TWO HALVES
AN INFORMAL (& FREE) WOODWIND CONCERT – IN TWO HALVES
All are invited to attend two 45-minute concerts at 11am and 2pm given by diploma-standard players completing a masterclass here at Higham with Laurence Perkins. A little audience will be appreciated! ADMISSION FREE but please do let us know if you intend to come so we can put out enough chairs! You are welcome to
6 events,
FULLY BOOKED: VISITING LAKELAND GARDENS
Join expert horticulturalist Louise on an intimate tour of Lake District gardens, including some not normally open to the public. Meet the gardeners, discover new plants and garden design inspiration behind the gates, walls and clipped hedges of some hidden horticultural gems of the Lake District. The same course is repeated in September. Louise Stoddart
FULLY BOOKED: ADVANCED BOOKBINDING: A QUARTER LEATHER BINDING MODEL
Making books covered in leather is always a challenging but most satisfying thing to do, no matter how many times you do it. We will be making a 19th century smooth spine, quarter-bound book in goatskin leather with decorative paper sidings. We will be making endpapers and hand sewing the text-block, taking the book through
SUNDAY LECTURE: THE INGENIOUS MR FLITCROFT
SUNDAY LECTURE: THE INGENIOUS MR FLITCROFT
..."arguably the most significant Georgian architect of whom most people have never heard," Henry Flitcroft designed some of the greatest country houses of the 18th century including Woburn Abbey, Wimpole and Wentworth Woodhouse. His accomplishments also included furniture, churches and notable London buildings such as Chatham House and Benjamin Franklin House. Author Gill Hedley will lead
4 events,
LEATHERWORK: HAND-STITCHED WALLET
Make your own leather wallet or card holder using the traditional method of hand-stitching the saddle stitch. You will learn how to work with thinner leathers and be able to personalise leather items by hand-tooling your own designs or using stamps. Templates are available if you do not wish to use your own drawings. Roslyn
5 events,
SKETCHBOOK: FAST AND LOOSE!
Relax and enjoy getting back to the basics with artful games to get creative inspiration flowing, all in the privacy of your own sketchbook! Explore new ways of seeing objects, recording your impressions and using your sketchbook so it becomes an essential resource to support your creative thinking. Pam Grant (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/pam-grant) Residential: £290 Non-residential:
FULLY BOOKED: BOOKBINDING: BEGINNERS
An introduction to the basics of hand bookbinding using techniques that have hardly changed in centuries. See how paper is prepared then hand sewn into a single-section pamphlet and a multi-section book. Learn how to prepare the book for covering, using traditional methods with modern materials. Gain experience and insight into book construction and how
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: HARPS NORTH WEST 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Tutors: Shelley Fairplay, Wendy Stewart & Stephen Dunstone, Mary Dunsford Organised by Harps North West festival@harpsnorthwest.org.uk Residential: £350 Non-residential: £290 Before booking please complete the below application form and return to admin@highamhall.com. In the email subject line please use a reference (surname, HIGHAMHNWJUL24) e.g. CookHIGHAMHNWJUL24 Harps North West 20th Anniversary Booking Form To book please
POWERS AND THRONES: WOMEN IN CHARGE OF THE ARTS IN PRE AND POST WAR BRITAIN
POWERS AND THRONES: WOMEN IN CHARGE OF THE ARTS IN PRE AND POST WAR BRITAIN
The talk will look at many, but by no means all, the powerful women who ran commercial and public galleries, were directors of arts organisations or major collectors in Britain from c1930-1960. Some names are well known, like Peggy Guggenheim and Erica Brausen, others kept a modest profile but had a powerful impact, like Dorothy
3 events,
EXPRESSIVE LANDSCAPES: MIXED MEDIA
Explore mixed media techniques using watercolour, gouache, acrylics, inks and soft pastel. We may venture outdoors (weather permitting), painting and drawing in the dramatic Lakeland landscape in order to build up a body of source material to work with, but this course focuses on developing your personal painterly style through exercises in the studio. We
PASTELS PURE AND SIMPLE
Chalk pastel has been used to great effect by artists through the ages, from Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century and Whistler and Degas in the 19th to Paula Rego and Roger Hilton in the 20th. Pastels are versatile and easy to use, delivering vibrant colours across a wide range of tones to create delicate and dramatic effects. Learn and develop
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: GREAT OPERA SCENES BY VERDI AND PUCCINI
In this course we will look at two Italian composers with a passion for passion: Verdi's Rigoletto, Il Trovatore , La Traviata and Puccini's La Boheme, Tosca and Madama Butterfly all revolve around intense scenes in which high drama and high emotion are exquisitely echoed and amplified by their musical scores. Verdi’s scenes revolve around
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: HILLS AND MOORLAND LANDSCAPES IN RECYCLED FABRICS
For beginners and improvers. Create a fabric landscape based on hilly landscapes and moorlands using a wide range of recycled, found and repurposed materials. Explore a wide range of experimental textile and mixed media techniques including layering and blending of fabrics using a sewing machine. From inspiration to realisation, be supported and encouraged to play,
APPRECIATING SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE: THE TEMPEST
Join us to explore Shakespeare’s late comedy of love and magic, power struggles and forgiveness. Consider how Prospero and Miranda, Ariel and Caliban respond to the arrival of outsiders from the past on their Mediterranean island. The weekend includes an outdoor performance by the Festival Players on Saturday, followed by an evening Q&A with the director and cast.
3 events,
SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDEN: THE TEMPEST
SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDEN: THE TEMPEST
The Festival Players return, performing Shakespeare's fantastical and some say allegorical play about magic, betrayal, love and forgiveness. With a bit of romance, comedy and tragedy thrown in for good measure, there's something for everyone. We are hoping for good weather, despite the title of the play, but the show will go on if we have
3 events,
JAZZ PLAYERS’ SUMMER SCHOOL FEATURING ALAN BARNES (SAX)
A serious yet relaxed week for jazz musicians who are able to play and read music to rehearsal band standard. Play a range of material from Swing to Bebop in small groups under the expert guidance of three of the UK's best jazz musicians. All prospective players must contact David 07951 903230 daveblackmusic@hotmail.com before enrolling to
2 events,
JAZZ CONCERT
JAZZ CONCERT
A lively and engaging evening of mainstream jazz with David Black and players from our residential jazz course joined by very special guests saxophonist Alan Barnes and trumpeter Mark Armstrong. Tickets £10 (Bar open)
2 events,
PAINTING AND DRAWING SUMMER SCHOOL
A week of workshops, lectures and demonstrations led by four of our tutors, offering a broad mix of inspiration, approaches, techniques and styles intended to refresh and expand your painting and drawing skills. Bring your favourite media and equipment, use our beautiful setting, and devote some quality time to developing your creative practice. Residential: £640