Calendar of Courses
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4 events,
DRAWING AND PAINTING BUILDINGS
Have you ever wanted to draw or paint buildings but not sure how to start? Then this course is for you. Learn the tricks of the trade looking at perspective, how to accurately measure and transfer what you see and bring character to your drawings using watercolours. Step by step demonstrations throughout. This is your
FULLY BOOKED: RUSKIN LACE
Ruskin Lace is a distinctive form of lace which originated as a cottage industry in the Lake District in the 1880s. You will be working on linen fabric using a combination of drawn thread and cut linen work, with the geometric designs being created using needlelace techniques specific to this type of lace. The course
NORWEGIAN ART: THE EMERGENCE OF THE MODERN
19th century Norway was culturally impoverished by 600 years of foreign control, but by the mid-1800s art was becoming a potent expression of national pride, culminating in the realism of Christian Krohg and the exuberant celebrations of Norwegian landscape of Harald Sohlberg and Nikolai Astrop. Tim Stimson Residential: £350 Non-residential: £245
CREATIVE RELIEF WOODCARVING
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
6 events,
CHORAL MASTERPIECES
Following the inspiring example of Mozart’s Requiem we will immerse ourselves in three requiems from the Romantic era. Brahms’ German Requiem used a Lutheran text and includes the chorus “How lovely are thy dwellings fair”. Verdi’s Requiem is well-known for its dramatic “Dies Irae”; by contrast the opening is quietly pleading. Faure’s Requiem has an
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. Marion Wilson SBA Residential: £485 Non-residential: £330
CINEMA, ART AND HISTORY
This course will be a wide ranging look at the history of cinema in Britain and the USA with three evening screenings and individual sessions on great directors, different genres and the complexities of film-making. Colin Shindler Residential: £485 Non-residential: £330
5 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 focus on Schwalm and Mountmellik embroidery techniques. Some embroidery experience is recommended for this course. Angie Burt Residential: £350 Non-residential: £245
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
6 events,
WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
On this course you will be shown stitching techniques that are all grouped under the heading of White work. As the name suggests they are all stitched on white fabric with white threads. We will focus on Schwalm and Mountmellik embroidery techniques. Some embroidery experience is recommended for this course. Angie Burt Residential: £485 Non-residential:
FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SEASCAPES, SKIES AND LANDSCAPES IN SOFT PASTEL
Extend your artistic skills to create dramatic seascapes and skies using soft pastels. Demonstrations throughout, with constructive one-to-one critiques, support for beginners and encouragement for the more experienced to inspire you to make the most of this exciting and very versatile medium. Eileen Gardner Residential: £585 Non-residential: £380
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,
EXPLORE COLOUR IN PAINTING – HOW TO UNDERSTAND IT AND HOW TO USE IT
Let Alex's knowledge of contemporary painting and colour theory guide you to develop your use and understanding of colour, how to use it to create harmony and balance or introduce drama or calmness where it’s needed. With useful try-outs to practice, perfect to help you see and represent the world in a way that brings
3 events,
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. Louise Stoddart Residential: £525 Non-residential: £370 (incl. fieldtrips)
ANIMAL PORTRAITS IN PASTEL
For both beginners and improvers. Complete a tutor-led portrait of an sheep on velour paper. Learn about various types of pastel and surfaces and practice layering, blinding 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
4 events,
FINDING MY VOICE: ASSERTIVENESS AND STANDING UP FOR MYSELF
FINDING MY VOICE: ASSERTIVENESS AND STANDING UP FOR MYSELF
This session will focus on understanding the meaning of assertiveness and developing skills to build self esteem and improve healthy relationships. A highly participative session where first-stage skills will be taught, facilitated and practised. Lina Mookerjee £95 incl. lunch and refreshments BOOK ONLINE: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EKUM
5 events,
ENAMELLING
Make enamelled jewellery, small tiles or panels working on copper, silver, or steel. Learn various techniques of enamel application as desired (foils, stencils and sgraffito among others) and practice 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. Materials
BOTANICAL ART USING COLOURED PENCIL: DEPICTING THE FRUITS AND SEEDS OF HARVEST TIME
Mid-September is usually a great time to explore gardens and hedgerows to find interesting seeds and seed pods as well as colourful fruits before their colours and forms begin to fade with Autumn. Concentrate on one larger subject or perhaps select a collection of smaller subjects to observe and record in detail and capture in
4 events,
THE GOTHIC REVIVAL IN BRITAIN
Why does Higham Hall pretend to look like a medieval castle? This is one of the questions we will explore on this course devoted to one of the most influential movements in British architectural history. The course will include a visit to Wray Castle, a 19th century Gothic Revival house on the west shore of
3 events,
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,
DRAWING AND PAINTING LAKELAND CHURCHES
The northern Lake District contains many characterful old churches set in beautiful rural locations, some surrounded by mountains or hilly meadows and one or two with views across to the wide Solway estuary. Join Lionel on sketching and painting expeditions to seven different churches and churchyards to hone your skills in drawing both architectural and
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
5 events,
ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IMMERSION RETREAT
Do you love Italy? Are you looking to improve your Italian conversation and immerse yourself in Italian culture? Join Antonella in her retreat at Higham Hall. The retreat will balance structured group activities with plenty of free time to explore Italian film, literature and music. You will be encouraged and supported to build confidence and
NATURE JOURNALLING FOR WELLBEING
Nature and journaling are both great for promoting wellbeing, so combine the two in the relaxing and nurturing environment of Higham. This supportive and nonjudgmental course helps you to develop your own style of journaling, exploring different ways to combine words and art. There will be a focus on promoting good mental health, but also
4 events,
PAINTING TUMBLING WATER
Water cascading over rocks is always captivating, even thrilling to watch in nature. So it's little surprise that it's such a popular subject for painters. Jason has spent years studying this complex subject, finding the best ways to teach painters how to render moving water with greater ease and skill. Why not take the strain
2 events,
RECORDERS GRADES VI – VIII
For intermediate players (Grades 6-8). An opportunity to play together over a pleasant weekend with others, with expert guidance as appropriate. Annemarie Klein Residential: £350 Non-residential: £245
6 events,
SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO AND JULIET
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet challenged existing conventions of tragedy, yet was an instant success and became the world’s most famous love story. Why did it become so enduringly popular? Join us to look more deeply at a familiar play and examine Shakespeare’s use of source material, staging and, above all, poetry. Clare Smout Residential: £350
PHILOSOPHY AND FILM
In this course, we explore themes of morality, ethics, and humanity’s connection to the natural world through four significant films. We begin with 12 Angry Men, where jurors grapple with justice, paired with The Lives of Others, an examination of surveillance and empathy in an oppressive regime. We then delve into Into the Wild, a journey of self-discovery
Philosophy & Film
In this course, we explore themes of morality, ethics, and humanity’s connection to the natural world through four significant films. We begin with 12 Angry Men, where jurors grapple with justice, paired with The Lives of Others, an examination of surveillance and empathy in an oppressive regime. We then delve into Into the Wild, a journey of
SUNDAY LECTURE: COMMON GROUND – THE HISTORY OF COMMON LAND
SUNDAY LECTURE: COMMON GROUND – THE HISTORY OF COMMON LAND
Over a million hectares of Britain have the status of common land: 'half wild' land over which no single individual has exclusive use rights. This talk will take a long view on the subject, charting how the use of common land has changed since the Middle Ages; how it has been claimed as communal space
5 events,
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL DYEING
This course is suitable for beginners and those with some knowledge. We will use traditional plants to dye animal fibres. We will dye small hanks to produce a range of colours. From these, each student will have samples to mount on cards for future reference. A variety of techniques will be used. Judy Hardman Residential:
LAKES, RIVERS AND SPRING WOODLANDS – PAINTING NATURE WITH ACRYLICS
A step-by-step instructional course to guide you in producing two beautiful paintings of both lakes/rivers and spring woodlands using acrylic paints. Learn to employ a range of techniques to achieve realism, impressionism and coherent tonal qualities, pushing the boundaries of the acrylic medium. Please bring your own brushes and any other tools/implements you like to
6 events,
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: £485 Non-residential: £330 (yarns £15 available to purchase from tutor)