Calendar of Courses
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
S Sun
1 event,
WOODCARVING: CREATIVE RELIEF CARVING
Relief carving is the process of cutting a pattern or design into a flat surface. For those new to the craft, Sharon will gently guide you through the process of transforming a block of wood into a unique image in relief with generous one-to-one support, technical instruction and extensive knowledge of her subject. Bring your
2 events,
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. Residential £525 Non-residential £390
1 event,
1 event,
1 event,
2 events,
EXPRESSIVE SKETCHBOOKS
For all those wishing to loosen up working from what they see. Let Alex inspire and guide you in her own special and informed way. There may be some outside work, weather permitting.
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: RUSKIN LACE
A Lake District speciality since the late nineteenth century, Ruskin lace was made from hand-spun and woven linen produced by cottagers around Coniston. Karen is a leading exponent of this heritage craft who brings extensive knowledge to support and guide you in traditional needlepoint lace techniques, drawn thread and cut linen work to create beautiful
SING WITH OTHERS: YES YOU CAN!
If you have little experience of singing with others, believe you can’t sing or just feel a bit rusty, then this course will be a journey of discovery to find your voice and use it to join others singing beautiful music together. We take a holistic approach and have a lot of fun along the
TRY FOR A DAY: BOTANICAL PAINTING
TRY FOR A DAY: BOTANICAL PAINTING
This informal and relaxed workshop is a gentle introduction to the delights of drawing from nature. You will spend the morning building confidence while closely observing individual flower petals, leaves and berries and practising watercolour techniques. The afternoon is spent painting flowers and plants from the beautiful gardens here at Higham. Everyone welcome, no experience
6 events,
PHILOSOPHY AND FILM
Immerse yourself in an intellectual sojourn as we navigate the interplay between existential philosophy and the visual language of film, where the profound meets the poetic to forge a unique tapestry of introspection and reflection. Following a now-familiar format, this course is built around a series of structured sessions involving screenings and guided discussion, and
NOW’S THE TIME FOR BRUCKNER
Getting to know Bruckner’s music is a challenge many have shied away from. But as we celebrate 200 years since the Austrian composer’s birth this very week, there can be no better time to grasp the nettle. His ‘romantic’ 4th symphony and the heavenly 7th afford the easiest way into Bruckner’s complex musical legacy. Residential
HOLLYWOOD’S VIEW OF AMERICAN HISTORY 1914-1980
This course looks at Hollywood movies and extracts from them the history of the times in which they were made. While films such as Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940) or On The Waterfront (1954) were overtly political, many Hollywood films offer perhaps unintended insights into American society. These are
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: THE PRE-RAPHAELITE BROTHERHOOD
In this course of illustrated lectures & discussion we will investigate the contribution made to the art world by three great Victorian painters - John Everett Millais, William Holman Hunt and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Their art embodies so much that is at the heart of English identity: poetry, love of nature, love itself. Long the
5 events,
WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
As the name suggests, whitework is traditionally worked with white thread on white fabric. It encompasses a wide range of techniques from the bold to the delicate and is commonly used in bridal, christening wear and ecclesiastical embroidery. Sample different types and techniques of whitework or develop your own piece with Angie’s patient and generous
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO AGEING
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO AGEING
Ever pondered the philosophical intricacies of ageing? Can Confucian virtues guide us through the challenges of later life, emphasizing harmony and virtue? How do David Hume’s skeptical reflections on personal identity and time influence our pursuit of happiness in the twilight years? Join us on an intellectually stimulating journey where these questions unravel the profound
3 events,
DANISH ART: THE GOLDEN AGE
From the early crisp, clear, bright & cheerful images of a gentle landscape and its people in the 19th century, Danish artists evolved a fascinatingly rich diversity of approaches in the dynamic period between 1800 and the early 20th century. British art collections contain few Nordic pictures, so for many these artists will be a
3 events,
WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
As the name suggests, whitework is traditionally worked with white thread on white fabric. It encompasses a wide range of techniques from the bold to the delicate and is commonly used in bridal, christening wear and ecclesiastical embroidery. Sample different types and techniques of whitework or develop your own piece with Angie’s patient and generous
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: LATE SUMMER YOGA AND WALKING
A perfect mix of hatha yoga sessions (working on postures, breathing exercises and relaxation) and guided hill walks of up to 5 miles, sometimes over rough and steep ground (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.
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: CERAMIC SCULPTURE: GET A-HEAD!
Learn how to model clay heads, up to 30cm tall, to be glazed and Raku fired at the end of the course. In the second half of the week you will produce a larger sculpture using Cumbrian brick clay, fired later by us when dry. Residential £710 Non-residential £520
4 events,
EMBROIDERY FOR BEGINNERS
An introduction to embroidery for beginners. Get to know your materials, learn basic embroidery stitches and make your first embroidery with step-by-step guidance and one-to-one support. There will be a variety of starter kits available to buy from the tutor including crewel and calico gardens embroideries, priced from £15 upwards. Residential £290 Non-residential £210
4 events,
DVOŘÁK AND JANÁČEK: 2 CZECH MASTERS
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) and Leoš Janáček (1854- 1928) are 2 of the greatest composers to emerge from the Czech lands; from Bohemia and Moravia respectively. We will explore their contribution to classical music, from the popular orchestral and chamber works of Dvořák to the remarkable operas and choral music of Janáček. Residential £290 Non-residential £210
4 events,
INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE STITCHING
A fun way to get serious, stitching little creative projects using a stash of bits and pieces. Basic materials are provided, but feel free to bring some fabric of your own if you wish. Ann will guide you with professional tips to see what you can end up with. Relaxed and absorbing, this is a
FULLY BOOKED: PIANO WORKSHOP
For up to ten players* at Grade 7 and above. In advance of this intensive, non-competitive workshop, you will prepare a 20-minute programme to be played and discussed; if possible, bring along spare copies of pieces for others. Working with John and fellow workshop participants, you will be encouraged and supported in your playing and
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: ENAMELLING
Make enamelled jewellery, small tiles, or panels working on copper, silver, or steel. Learn the techniques of enamel application, foils, stencils, sgraffito among others as desired, and training in kiln use, control and safety. All abilities welcome from beginners to advanced; students will be supported to work at their own pace on appropriate projects. Residential
6 events,
THE ICE AGE AND ITS AFTERMATH IN LAKELAND
Geological field trips (with some rough, possibly muddy footpaths and a little elevation close to the road) combined with evening lectures. Learn how to identify and understand glacial landforms and features that have formed since the ice disappeared (screes, landslides, river terraces and floodplains) alongside landscape changes still happening today. Suitable for all who are
FULLY BOOKED: BOTANICAL ART WITH COLOURED PENCILS: SEASONAL SPLENDOUR
September is a time of transition with lots of new colours and exciting forms for the botanical artist to record. Autumn’s rich palette of berries and turning foliage contrasts with sculptural flower seed heads. Working at your own pace in a relaxed atmosphere, this course offers an opportunity to continue developing your skills in drawing,
FULLY BOOKED: BOTANICAL ART WITH COLOURED PENCILS: SEASONAL SPLENDOUR
September is a time of transition with lots of new colours and exciting forms for the botanical artist to record. Autumn’s rich palette of berries and turning foliage contrasts with sculptural flower seed heads. Working at your own pace in a relaxed atmosphere, this course offers an opportunity to continue developing your skills in drawing,
7 events,
FULLY BOOKED: ANIMAL PORTRAITS IN PASTEL (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
For both beginners and improvers. Complete a tutor-led portrait of an alpaca on velour paper. Learn about various types of pastel and surfaces and practice layering, blending and building up texture. After this exercise, work on a picture of your own choosing with Paul’s patient and generous one-to-one support. All materials provided but please bring
FULLY BOOKED: THE LIFE OF BUILDINGS: PAST PRESENT FUTURES
In almost every town or village, there’s a building built, once upon a time, for a purpose that no longer exists. It might be a church without a congregation, a big house without a household, or an institution without an institute. What do, or could, we do with such buildings? This course will tell the
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. Residential £430 Non-residential £310 Includes field trips.
5 events,
MOVING AWAY FROM REALISM WITH STILL LIFE
As the title suggests we will be looking at ways to gently move your art from strict copy work into more creative territory. Why still life? Well, still life is an area of art where artists can be more experimental, because they can play more easily with the components. If you don’t like something where
SUNDAY LECTURE: VISUAL ART, LANDSCAPE AND THE ANGLO-SCOTTISH BORDERS
SUNDAY LECTURE: VISUAL ART, LANDSCAPE AND THE ANGLO-SCOTTISH BORDERS
In this lecture, art historian and academic Ysanne Holt will share her current research on the cultural history of this region, exploring artists’ engagements with the landscapes of this cross-border region from the interwar period to the present. Those for consideration include Winifred Nicholson and William Johnstone in the earlier decades, Land/environmental artists of the
3 events,
ADVANCED GOLDWORK
This course is aimed at students who already have knowledge and experience of gold/metal thread work. you will be introduced to more advanced-level skills such as hard string padding, basketweave, or nué, s-ing, plate and manipulated kid, as well as different technical methods of work. We will explore each type of stitch from start to
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WOVEN TAPESTRY: PULLED WARPS
Curved forms created by pulled warps. Making a tapestry to be manipulated into a shape once off the loom. The first of two technical courses led by international award-winning tapestry artist Louise, returning to Higham for the autumn season. Louise’s course Woven Tapesty: Wedge Weave Landscape follows, 28-30 Sept. Residential £295 Non-residential £215
COUNTED TECHNIQUES
During this course we will look at the traditional counted hand embroidery techniques of blackwork, pulled thread work and drawn thread work on evenweave fabric. This course is suitable for all levels of experience. We will explore each type of stitch from start to finish, with added variations to aid understanding. Helen is one of
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SKIES, LAND AND SEASCAPE IN SOFT PASTELS
Extend your artistic skills using pastels to create expressive seascapes, landscapes and dramatic skies. With demonstrations throughout, gentle guidance for beginners, encouragement for the more experienced and constructive oneto-one critique to support you to confidently handle this subtle yet versatile medium. Residential £390 Non-residential £270
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WOVEN TAPESTRY: WEDGE WEAVE LANDSCAPE
This course uses the landscape in and around Higham to explore the wedge weave technique. We will consider how the forms and movement in the landscape may be expressed in this weaverly, rather than literal way. This course follows Louise’s course on Pulled Warp Woven Tapesty, 26-28 Sept. Residential £295 Non-residential £215
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: BOTANICAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
Sculptural seed heads and glowing hedgerow fruits will inspire you to capture the fresh palette and clean lines of autumn. Working direct from nature, learn to accurately depict them in watercolour with technical demonstrations, knowledgeable guidance and one-to-one tuition. For both beginners and the more experienced. Residential £390 Non-residential £270
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: DRAWING AND PAINTING LAKELAND CHURCHES
The northern Lake District is littered with characterful old churches in stunning locations - where the dappled light of old churchyards conjure atmospheric qualities ideal for mixedmedia sketching and painting en plein air. Join Lionel on five days of painting expeditions to hone your skills in drawing both architectural and natural forms and using colour
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: GET WEAVING!
Explore the use of colour and texture. Dress a loom. Understand how to read pattern draft. Suitable for both absolute beginners and developing weavers. Jan Beadle Residential: £410 Non-residential: £285 (yarns £15 available to purchase from tutor)
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: STRING ORCHESTRA WEEKEND
A weekend for string players exploring wonderful music for string orchestra directed by professional violinist, Louise Latham. Repertoire as follows: Torelli Concerto Grosso; Finzi Romance; Janacek Suite; Tippett Little Music for Strings Louise Latham Residential: £320 Non-residential: £235
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WOODCARVING: CREATIVE RELIEF CARVING
Relief carving is the process of cutting a pattern or design into a flat surface. For those new to the craft, Sharon will gently guide you through the process of transforming a block of wood into a unique image in relief with generous one-to-one support, technical instruction and extensive knowledge of her subject. Bring your
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: THE FILM WESTERN FROM 1960 TO THE PRESENT DAY
The Western has always reinvented itself. Though from the 1960s onwards fewer Westerns were made, the images, archetypes and provocations of the genre continued to captivate artists and audiences worldwide. Each era had its take on the cowboy, the cattle baron and the frontier. The course will trace the ways in which the Western continues
DISCOVER THE VERSATILTY OF SOFT PASTEL
Aim for vibrant and atmospheric paintings, be inspired using soft pastels on a variety of different backgrounds. Step by step and personal guidance. For all levels to enjoy. Sue Ford Residential: £305 Non-residential: £220