Calendar of Courses
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3 events,
NURTURE THROUGH NATURE WINTER YOGA RETREAT
Develop a sense of harmony and balance within yourself and the world in which you live. Suitable for all abilities. Using Ayurvedic wisdom, practicing ‘pranayama’ (breath control), ‘asanas’ (yoga postures) and through ‘dhyana’ (meditation) we will look to nature to nurture an inner state of peace and calm. Andrea Sanders-Fox Residential: £305 Non-residential: £220
FULLY BOOKED: THE AXE FACTOR: EXPLORING NEOLITHIC STONE AXE PRODUCTION, EXCHANGE AND COMMUNICATION
Six thousand years ago, the Central Lake District was the focus of an intensive production process with a wide distribution network. A very particular type of stone, which outcropped around the highest fells, was much sought after by Neolithic communities. They quarried, shaped, and polished it to create valuable axe-heads that were traded throughout Britain
FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SEASCAPES, SKIES AND LANDSCAPES
Extend your artistic skills to create dramatic seascapes and skies using soft pastels. Demonstrations throughout, support for beginners and encouragement for the more experienced. Supportive one-to-one critique encouraging you to use this exciting and very versatile medium. Residential: £410 Non-residential: £285
2 events,
THE VICTORIANS
The Victorian Age in Britain was an age of great dynamism, creativity, complexity and change. Through a series of biographical talks on notable figures such as Florence Nightingale, Joseph Paxton, Catherine Booth, Thomas Cook & Son and Lord Curzon of Kedleston (Viceroy of India), this course will shine a light on themes as diverse as
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: GEOLOGY OF SCOTLAND
Scotland has had an extremely eventful geological history for a country of its size, and this is reflected in its vast array of geological features. Come on this course and discover some of the oldest rocks on our planet. This is an entirely indoor course delivered through a series of illustrated talks. A large selection
FULLY BOOKED: EXPRESSIVE LANDSCAPES WITH SOFT PASTELS
For experienced artists wanting to become more expressive and confident with abstract techniques when using soft and hard pastels (with fixative) on different surfaces. Weather permitting, Higham's grounds will provide direct inspiration from nature alongside studio-based direction. Some of the taught techniques on this workshop are not for complete art beginners but pastel newbies are
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 for drawn thread and cut linen work to create
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: STRING CHAMBER MUSIC WORKSHOP
A course for preformed string chamber music groups, working at self programmed repertoire. Cath Yates (violin/viola) and Heather Bills (cello) will join the tutoring team. Residential: £330 Non-residential: £245
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: COLLOGRAPH PRINTMAKING
Ideal as an introduction to experimental collagraph printing, or as a refresher. This course covers basic collagraph plate making techniques such as masking, layering, impressing and cutting into the surface. Understand how to create texture and line as well as tones from very dark to very light in your plates, using a combination of everyday
FULLY BOOKED: YOGA & WALKING: SPRING
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; the purpose of which is to leave the student supple, relaxed, refreshed and uplifted. The
WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
On this course you will be shown stitching techniques that are all grouped under the heading of whitework. As the name suggests they are all stitched on white fabric with white threads. We will look at both Schwalm and Mountmellik embroidery techniques. Some embroidery experience is recommended for this course. For those wishing to spend
4 events,
BRIGHT COLOURS IN A DARK MONTH
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, this short painting course with Robert will focus on getting to grips with the creative potential of Derwent's Inktense blocks on Canson cotton rich watercolour paper (all materials provided). This highly versatile new painting medium allows for bold mark-making, glazing and layering - perfect for achieving expressive, semi-abstract compositions. We will take a
7 events,
WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
On this course you will be shown stitching techniques that are all grouped under the heading of whitework. As the name suggests they are all stitched on white fabric with white threads. We will look at both Schwalm and Mountmellik embroidery techniques. Some embroidery experience is recommended for this course. Residential: £305 Non-residential: £220
UPHOLSTERY WEEKEND
Hands-on! Bring chair, stool, ottoman, headboard... Build up from scratch or just re-cover, tackle interior paddings with traditional or modern techniques. Please contact Cathy prior to your course to discuss your project needs. Contact information available from the Higham office. Residential: £305 Non-residential: £220
RECORDERS: POST-BEGINNERS (GRADES 1-3)
Don’t be scared to make mistakes - have fun and make music! A chance for those with a developing interest in recorder playing to progress their musicality in a gentle way with like-minded people under professional guidance. Residential: £310 Non-residential: £230
5 events,
INSPIRED BY BLOOMSBURY
A joyful painting course with inspiration from work by artists of the Bloomsbury Group, our very own English Post Impressionists! Work from set-ups in the studio and use the interior spaces of Higham Hall to explore the ideas behind their painting process and develop your own work using theirs as a starting point. Residential: £410
ADVANCED WOODWIND ENSEMBLES
A course for wind players from Grade 8 to Diploma, working in detail on wind chamber repertoire for large and smaller ensembles. There will be an informal concert on the morning of the last day. All applications to be made initially through Laurence to ascertain ensemble line-up. www.laurenceperkins.com/wind-serenades Residential: £770 Non-residential: £580 We can pick
2 events,
BOOKBINDING: SPRINGBACK BINDING MODEL
A chance to make this amazing book structure - something that should be tackled at least once in a lifetime. The historical development of the account book was originally patented in Great Britain in 1799. As a style the spring back is firmly rooted in the ‘trade’ binding tradition; it’s robustness and ability to lie
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: COLOURED PENCIL WORKSHOP
For beginners and improvers. Bring your own photographs of your pet, other animals, birds, landscape, or inanimate objects. Learn about the different ways you can use pencil, layering, blending, removing colour to create texture and depth. Bring your own good quality coloured pencils (the tutor will be using Derwent Inktense), together with an A3 size
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: LAKES, RIVERS AND SPRING WOODLANDS – PAINTING NATURE WITH ACRYLICS
A taught course with step-by-step instruction to produce two beautiful paintings featuring lakes/rivers and spring woodlands. We will use acrylic paints, brushes and any other painting tools that you wish to bring. Learn to employ a range of techniques to achieve realism, impressionistic techniques and coherent tonal qualities, pushing the boundaries of the acrylic medium.
FULLY BOOKED: PIANO WORKSHOP
A performance-based workshop where up to 10 players of Grade 7 standard and above prepare a short recital of between 15-20 minutes to play to the other participants. If possible, please bring along extra copies of the works being performed for the other players. John will give constructive suggestions for improving aspects of interpretation, technique,
4 events,
OIL PASTELS
Suitable for beginners and improvers. Oil pastels are a beautiful and versatile medium to use, whether for a quick sketch or a finished painting for exhibition. The rich, pure colour of oil pastels can be applied with a myriad of techniques; some we will practice, such as laying on glazes of colour, blending, impasto and
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: FRANCES IN RESIDENCE – FOCUS ON COLOUR EXPERIMENTS
Explore colour dynamics, using strong and vibrant colour, tonal contrasts and subtle colour to express mood and harmony. This course will be suitable for beginners who would like to learn about colour dynamics but is also good for people seeking to push their work to new levels. Work alongside Frances who will be developing her
THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE EARLY STUARTS 1603-1660
In this short course we will explore something of the revolution in art and architecture in England during the first half of the seventeenth-century, associated with such names as Inigo Jones, Charles I, Anthony Van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens. We will also consider the effects of Civil War, the Puritan Republic and the Restoration
TWISTED LOG CABIN
Take a look on Pinterest and you will find many twisted log cabin quilts. They look complicated but are actually very easy with the main difficulties coming from the colours of the fabrics. On this course, you could make a quilt using square, triangular or hexagonal twisted log cabin blocks or just make one of
6 events,
FULLY BOOKED: LEATHERWORK: HAND-STITCHED TOOL HOLDER
Leatherwork is a great craft; using traditional methods to make quality items that will last you for years. In this course you will learn how to make your own hand-stitched leather and canvas tool holder, which is adjustable to your tools. Residential: £355 Non-residential: £270
TICKET TO RIDE – PART 1
An exploration of multiple styles of 20th century popular music, from the great American songbook, the emergence of jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll and onwards to pop music of the 1960’s, spearheaded by an examination of many of the songs of The Beatles. From there, the course will delve into the multiple genres of
FULLY BOOKED: SILVER CLAY JEWELLERY
Silver Clay is a remarkable material made up of fine silver particles, an organic plant-based binder and water. It can be moulded, rolled, textured and shaped to create hand-crafted pieces which are then fired and polished to make fine hallmark-quality silver jewellery. With expert guidance, make up to three professionally styled pieces over a weekend.
6 events,
LINO-CUT PRINTMAKING
Using traditional lino-cut printmaking techniques, print your own images to create individual and decorative cards or pictures with expert guidance from Clare Melinksy. Clare is a renowned illustrator whose lino cut designs are used on product packaging, book covers, magazines, cards and even postage stamps. All tools needed are provided as part of the course:
FOLK SINGING WITH WILL AND ROSIE
A gentle introduction to singing folk music in three- and four-part harmony! Can’t read music? No problem - folk is an oral tradition, and we teach everything by ear. Learn how to warm up your voice, then sing in rounds and in parts, as you become acquainted with a wonderful folk repertoire with two tutors
FULLY BOOKED: CAPTURE SCOTTISH SCAPES: EXPLORE EXPRESSIVE MIXED MEDIA
Working in layers with mixed media to create expressive landscape paintings inspired by Scotland, using reference photos provided by your tutor. A combination of group activities that encourage you to paint loosely and explore colour alongside one-to-one tutorship to create your individual paintings. Mixed media, for all levels. Residential: £590 Non-residential: £405
4 events,
PHILOSOPHY AND NATURE: DEEP ECOLOGY
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu. This course will take a gently philosophical approach to the relationship between humanity and nature. Exploring the thought-provoking ideas of Arne Naess and ‘Deep Ecology’, Henry David Thoreau’s ‘Walden’ and the Daoist worldview of harmony with nature, we will consider how these concepts might
4 events,
“I HACK AND HAMMER AT THE HANDIWORK OF VERSE” AN EXPLORATION OF NORMAN NICHOLSON’S POETRY
Norman Nicholson (1914-1987) was the foremost Cumbrian poet of his period and was honoured with several awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry (1977). Proud to be a regional poet, Nicholson’s work in many genres was nationally and internationally known and respected. Indeed, as his Guardian obituary notes, ‘some critics considered him the best
7 events,
FULLY BOOKED: JAPANESE BORO SLOW STITCHING
Simply spend peaceful time being creative. Slow stitching is perfect for experiencing mindful relaxation. We’ll be inspired by the Japanese Boro tradition that values cloth as a precious resource, extending its life by reusing every scrap. Working intuitively, you’ll discover freedom in working without pre-planned designs. Beautiful results & rewarding experience! No sewing skills needed.
HIGHAM HALL CHOIR: ‘OTHER WORDLY’
Exploring the stunning Requiem by Herbert Howells and music by Renaissance composer Dionisius Prioris (1460 - 1514) whose music can only be described as crystalline and other worldly. We'll explore more early composers such as John Sheppard (In pace), William Byrd's Resurrexi and have a taste of Gregorian chant (In paradisum). Music is sent out
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO LOVE
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO LOVE
This talk will explore diverse perspectives on love. Beginning with Plato’s The Symposium, we’ll discuss physical attraction and spiritual beauty. Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving will proffer psychological insights, emphasizing love as an art that requires practice, care, and knowledge. Lastly, we’ll engage with Bell Hooks’ All About Love, advocating for love as a
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO LOVE
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO LOVE
This talk will explore diverse perspectives on love. Beginning with Plato’s The Symposium, we’ll discuss physical attraction and spiritual beauty. Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving will proffer psychological insights, emphasizing love as an art that requires practice, care, and knowledge. Lastly, we’ll engage with Bell Hooks’ All About Love, advocating for love as a
4 events,
EXPERIMENTAL DRAWING
EXPERIMENTAL DRAWING
A fun course experimenting with different approaches to drawing, taking inspiration from artists both contemporary and traditional. A great class for those looking to progress and expand their drawing methods. £95 including lunch BOOK ONLINE: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DSHT
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND
‘Nothing is more important than your health’ is a common wisdom expression and in this workshop Lina will invite participants to explore this further. Using the ancient health paradigm from Ayurveda and modern neuroscience concepts, Lina will offer ideas and practices to support a healthy way of being. £95 including lunch
5 events,
SPRING BULBS, BUDS AND BLOSSOM IN THE LANDSCAPE
Express your feelings by drawing and painting nature bursting out from hedgerows, verges, meadows and woods in spring. This special time of year is all about the energy and optimism of growth and colour. The course will help you observe directly from nature through outdoor sketching to then develop powerful expressive responses in the studio
FULLY BOOKED: SIX OF THE BEST CLASSICAL SYMPHONIES
Sharing our time with Haydn and Mozart, we will consider some of the most impressive symphonies of the Viennese Classical Era. Haydn’s Surprise, Clock and London symphonies confirm his mastery as the so-called Father of the Symphony. Mozart’s final three symphonies, nos. 39, 40 & 41 are generally regarded as his finest symphonic works. Ian
FULLY BOOKED: BOTANICAL ART IN COLOURED PENCIL: CAPTURING THE SIGNS OF SPRING
With colour creeping back into the plant world, what better time to capture the colours, textures and unfurling forms of spring: explore emerging fern crosiers, velvety wallflowers and violets, the fresh yellows of narcissi and true blues of grape hyacinths, the silky petals of early cherry blossom, the joyous riot of primula flowers and the
SPRING BULBS, BUDS AND BLOSSOM IN THE LANDSCAPE
Express your feelings in drawing and painting about nature bursting out from hedgerows, verges, meadows and woods in spring. This special time of year is all about the energy and optimism of growth and colour. The course will help you observe directly from nature through outdoor sketching then develop powerful expressive responses in the studio
5 events,
300 – THREE CENTURIES OF ANGLO-SCOTTISH WARFARE
A narrative overview of the Anglo-Scottish Border wars (1296 – 1603), focusing on conflict and identity, military activity and fortifications, battles, weapons and armour, the riding names, the blood feud/vendetta, the Border Laws and wardens, literary and cultural legacies, what are the resonances today? John Sadler Residential: £360 Non-residential: £255 (incl. field trips)
5 events,
WATERLOO ASSOCIATION WEEKEND
The Napoleonic Wars are often seen as the first modern global conflict which was brought to an end at the Battle of Waterloo. In this the 210th anniversary year, we will devote the entire weekend to the study of this dramatic campaign. We will analyse the composition of the French army of 1815, and the
3 events,
INNER SOLWAY HERITAGE
Minibus fieldtrips exploring the rich heritage of the inner Solway coast of Cumbria in England and Dumfries and Galloway in South West Scotland. Taking in the local history, landscape, lesser known heritage sites and cultural activities of an intriguing part of the British coast. Fiona Stoddart Residential: £535 Non-residential: £380 (incl. fieldtrips)
CAPTURING FLOWERS IN WATERCOLOUR AND PENCIL
Drawing and painting flowers is a lovely thing to do, though if you have never done it before it can be a bit daunting. Learn how to draw a basic flower and leaf shapes to start building your confidence then build upon this to produce a finished piece with details and shading. We will be