Programme of Events 2014

WESTBURY ARTS CENTRE

Welcome to the new, exciting 2014 programme of events for your local Arts Centre based in the Shenley Wood area of

Milton Keynes.We offer Creative Art workshops, Lifestyle workshops, and Family events all year round. If you have an idea or creative community project you

would like Westbury Arts Centre to help with then please contact Julie on 01908 501214. Please visit our website for further information on exhibiting artists, workshops, exhibitions and community and family events. www.westburyartscentre.co.uk

We have colour coded our events to make it easier to find what you are looking for:

Creative workshops and events Lifestyle Workshops

Events for Families and Children

WORKSHOPS - FEBRUARY

Gong Meditation. £Free

This is a chance to try Gong Meditation. Pam Mullet will lead you through this ancient form of relaxation. Please bring yoga mats, pillows and warm clothes. This is a free event and is limited to 10 places.

The Gong is one of man’s oldest therapeutic instruments, and is used in yoga, sound meditation, and vibrational therapy from the distant past to present. The Gong is an ideal tool for stress

reduction, stimulation of the glandular system, and as a facilitator to break up emotional blockages. Sound & music are nutrients for the nervous system. The auditory mechanism is a mega-portal to

the brain and sonic tools empower health, learning and productivity. Due to its nature, the gong resonates all cells of the body simultaneously in a most powerful & effective way. The goal in all

healing, meditative, spiritual and transformational pursuits is to raise an individuals’ vibratory frequency, and thereby changing a person’s nature of being, restoring the intrinsic state of balance.

Friday 7th February 7.00 - 9.00

Alexander Technique. £POA

Neal Morley has been teaching Alexander technique for over 20 years and offers one to one sessions fortnightly on a Monday afternoon in the drawing room at Westbury Arts Centre or day workshops by appointment. The Alexander Technique is a skill for self-development teaching you to change long-standing habits that cause unnecessary tension in everything you do. Whatever your age or ability, the Technique can help boost your performance in any activity and relieve the pain and stress caused by postural habits, like slouching or rounded shoulders. To contact Neal and find out more about Alexander Technique please look at his website www.alexanderworks.co.uk or email neal@alexanderworks.co.uk or call Tel: 01869 347655

MARCH

International Women’s Day. £FreeThis is a day workshop in celebration of International Women’s day. Cindy Woolacott, will start the session with an introduction to Calligraphy. Using this beautiful skill and the written word you will create a piece of written art work to take away with you. In the afternoon there will be a demonstration on mono printing by Julie LeFevre followed by time to create your own series of prints, possibly inspired by family photos. This is a free event and is limited to 10 places.Saturday 8th March 10.00 – 4.00

Watercolour Painting. £25.00Acclaimed watercolour artist Kate Wyatt will show you a host of techniques to allow you to experiment with watercolour paint. Whether you are a beginner or have experience of this type of painting then use this course to broaden your knowledge. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Westbury Arts Centre to inspire your work.This class is limited to 4 people. You will work in Kate’s studio surrounded by her work, giving you an intimate look at her work and time to ask questions and to see water colour techniques you would like to try, before creating your own pieces to take home with you. Saturday 15th March 1.00 – 4.00

Expressionist Paint Day. £25.00

Inspired by the Hindu festival Holi, this is a half day workshop learning to be expressive and experimental with paint, creating large abstract paintings and exploring the potential of colour and mark making you will have the chance to get messy (if you want) to and to convey an idea using a range of handmade painting tools. If you have not worked on a large scale before challenge yourself, and play with colour in a big way. Sunday 16th March 1.00 – 4.00

Upcycling Furniture. £25.00This is a half day workshop focussing on the skills needed to upcycle a piece of your own furniture, and to create and restore something new for your home. Materials will be provided such as chalk paint, and wax and you will be shown the tricks of the trade, and how to distress your object, you will be able to produce a range of samples that you will be able to adapt and use on your own furniture. This course is for a maximum of 6 people and is suitable for beginners. Please bring pieces of furniture you want to upcycle. This workshop will be led by Tajinder Bhui and is a taster for a series of further courses throughout the year which will look at creating your own stencils, using crackle glazes and decoupage. Saturday 22nd March 1.00 – 4.00

Exploring the power of colour.

Printing on Clay. (Photolithography on clay) £25.00This half day workshop allows you to create a series of ceramic tiles. This process allows you to transfer a photocopied image directly on to the clay ready for firing. Julie LeFevre is an experienced artist working with ceramics and mixed media and will show you this specialist ceramics process. Suitable for beginners. Please bring your own images with you to use on the day although there will be a selection available for you to use. For additional information on the types of photocopy that are suitable please call Westbury Arts Centre on 01908 501214 and ask for Julie. This course is suitable for anyone interested in a new creative process or art teachers or those interested in ceramics. Saturday 29th March 1.00 – 4.00

APRIL Stained Glass £90.00Following on from the success of last years Stained glass programme we are pleased to be joined once again by Michael Ross. The workshop will allow you to create a piece of stained glass or to begin bigger projects for your home. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced, Michael will work with you to create something amazing. Michael provides all the glass in a host of beautiful colours, and textures that you can use, and he shows a range of examples of his own work and the historic glass he has collected to inspire your own designs. Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th April 10.00 – 4.00

Ceramic egg painting, chickens optional! £10.00This is chance to make a series of clay eggs and chickens that will make fantastic gifts for Easter. JulieLeFevre works with ceramics and has a host of ideas and techniques to share with you. The session will allow you time to model each piece of clay into a design of your choice ready for drying. There will time to plan your own patterns ready to paint on the eggs. This workshop is suitable for children over 8 years of age. Saturday 12th April 1.00 – 4.00

Pin Hole Camera £25.00Tracey Sherwood will lead this family workshop, showing you how to create your own camera from a cardboard box. Please bring a shoe box or similar small box with you that ideally you will have painted black (inside). You will use your camera to create your very own photos that you will be shown how to develop in our dark room. Suitable for children over 8 years of age accompanied by an adult. Saturday 26th April 10.00 – 4.00

Cyanotype workshop. Westbury Arts Centres Dark Room. The 2013 graduate exhibition. Bucks Open studios.

MAY

Westbury Arts Centre is pleased to work with Buckingham Arts Modern and Contemporary, offering a comprehensive series of drawing workshops suitable for all abilities. Artists Gino Ballantyne and Sue Baker Kenton have a wealth of experience and will be your tutors for this comprehensive series of drawing workshops.

Drawing on Location £65.00

Using the setting of Westbury Art Centre, you will make drawings from the surrounding landscape with its orchard, bee hive colonies and Tudor architecture. Its wild gardens being a surprise in the centre of Milton Keynes and full of inspiring scenes. These drawings will then be developed in the drawing studio at Westbury where you will be encouraged to personalise your drawing process. Thursday1st May 10.00 - 4.00

Drawing from the Figure (model) £65.00

The session offers an opportunity to explore both analytical and expressive approaches to drawing from the figure. Through an exploration of these two processes you will be able to contextualise your drawing practice. Analysing your ideas you will be able to develop a drawing practice from a contemporary viewpoint. Thursday 8th May 10.00 - 4.00

Drawing with Colour (model) £65.00

Explore the relationship between colour and drawing and build imaginative bridges between these two expressive worlds. You will look at the visual and expressive qualities of colour and mark making. Thursday 15th May 10.00 - 4.00

Sketching - line and washes (model) £65.00

Working directly from the figure, explore the possibilities of this rich and subtle medium. Referencing historical and contemporary examples you will develop a personal language of mark making. Experience of figure drawing recommended. Thursday 22nd May 10.00 - 4.00

MAY (continued) Watercolour and mixed media drawing on location £65.00

Using the figure as a basis for observational study you will use a range of methods to develop your skills and confidence in this exciting medium. Explore the sensitivity of water based media such as inks, watercolour, gouache, acrylic and water soluble pens. Use a variety of application techniques to gain insight into the rich possibilities of the watercolour medium. Thursday 29th May 10.00 - 4.00.

Evening class - Life drawing - Advanced £105.00 (for 5 weeks)

The course is ideal for someone with previous life drawing experience, looking to progress their drawing in a more personal way. We will investigate: Compositional devices (balance, shape and line) structure, tone and narratives in relation to single or multiple figures.

Thursday 1st May until 29th May 2014, 19.00-21.00 (5 weeks)

Artists Gino Ballantyne and Sue Baker Kenton.

MAY (continued) Ceramic Clock making workshop with Majolica Glaze. £90.00

Sally Brooks, Ceramic Artist and Architect will lead this two day workshop which will allow you to create your own clock, and to try this historic method of glazing , a decorative process where colourful imagery is painted over a white glaze. This wonderful technique allows her to create vibrant imagery on pottery without fear of the colours running or blending together as many glazes do when they accidentally overlap. Day One: This day will allow you to design and make your clock from earthenware clay ready for it to dry over the week and to be bisque fired. Day Two: Majolica, also referred to as maiolica, is a fabulous decorative technique for potters who wish to treat their surfaces like canvas – especially if they wish to maintain crisp line work in the finished product. Majolica is the perfect technique as it requires only one glaze, a few over glazes, and an electric kiln to create beautiful effects. All materials will be provided. Saturday 17th and 24th May 10.00 – 4.00

Cathy Read’s 2013 Workshop. Sculpture at Westbury Arts Centre. Paper Clay Workshop.

MAY (continued)

Puppet Making and Puppetry. £25.00

This is a day workshop that will show you how to make a simple table top puppet and then in the afternoon you will concentrate on skills involved in bringing your puppet to life. Working with Shelly Atton, co-founder and Artistic Director of Moon On A Stick Puppet Theatre Company, who are currently enjoying success in London with their show The Mermaid Of Zennor. Shelly also creates puppets by commission and leads workshops with international schools such as Harrow, Amman Baccalaureate and Moscow. Shelly is also a professionally trained actor enjoying roles on stage in London and on television campaigns with Save the Children, Special K and E.On. With this wealth of experience she will inspire your puppet making skills and take you through the first steps of becoming a puppeteer. Suitable for children over 11 years of age and for anyone interested in the use of puppets in the theatre. Saturday 17th May 10.00 – 4.00

JUNE Upcycle a piece of Textiles/Clothing £45.00Using a piece of clothing such as a shirt, you will upcycle an old treasured or found item of textiles, to create a new piece of fashion. Sally Hutson of stitchyWooWoo has worked with Textiles her whole life and has a personal love of all things vintage. She was head of Fashion and Textiles at Milton Keynes College and is a textiles historian. Her work creates pretty jackets, shirts, and clothing as well as other textile items out of damask tablecloths, 1940's doilies and lace which she then embellishes with free motion embroidery. And Westbury Arts Centre is pleased to invite Sally back to once again share her wealth of knowledge with you. Please bring an item of clothing such as a shirt and any bric a brac, and if possible a sewing machine. (Sally will have some materials with her for use on the day). Saturday 14th June 10.00 – 4.00

*Bucks Open Studios. Westbury Arts Centre Studio holders and guests will be opening their studios during this exciting event. Throughout this 2 week period the studio will have an exhibition of invited artists work in both the House and Barn Gallery at Westbury Arts Centre and all are welcome to the Opening day on the 7 th June

when refreshments will be available. Saturday 7th 15th June

Cyanotype Photography £45.00Using this traditional photography process, you will have the opportunity to create a series of photographic responses. Tracey Sherwood is a professional Photographer and Senior Lecturer at Northampton University. This day is suitable for accompanied children. Saturday 21st June 10.oo – 4.00

Cyanotypeprints, hanging out to dry. textile panel with vintage lace. Grinding down pigments. Hammering in the metalwork workshop.

YogaThis is an introduction to yoga. Weather permitting some of the day will take place outside on the lawn in the beautiful wild garden, an oasis of calm. Please bring a yoga mat with you and wear comfy clothes. For more details about this class please contact Julie on 01908 501214 Saturday 28th June 10.00 – 4.00

JULY Watercolour and Collage. £45.00Acclaimed watercolour artist Kate Wyatt will show you a host of techniques to allow you to experiment with watercolour paint. Whether you are a beginner or have experience of this type of painting then use this course to broaden your knowledge. Combining watercolour techniques with collage and mixed media, create something beautiful and unique adding extra depth to your work Saturday 12th July 10.00 – 4.00

Life Sculpting in Clay. £90.00This is a two day workshop, working from a life model you will have the chance to draw from the figure and then to create a clay sculpture. There will be time to make quick 3D sketches using clay, and then to refine these maquette’s creating your final pieces to be fired. Working with Kirsteen Holuj who is an accomplished ceramics artist and the life model you will make scale models, leading to your final sculpture. All materials will be provided. Please phone Julie on 01908 501214 to find out more.

Saturday and Sunday 19thand 20th July 10.00 – 4.00

Kirsteen Holuj Ceramics. Cyanotype Workshop. Matt Taylor Photography. Open studios 2013. Group Exhitition 2013.

JULY CONTINUED Stone Carving. £130.00For the second year running, we are lucky to have Adam Williamson taking this weekend workshop. This two day course will allow you to share in some of his knowledge and to expand or begin your skills when working with stone. He is an award winning sculptor and painter who is based in London. He has undertaken a long list of prestigious commissions. His Clients include, HRH the Prince of Wales, The Shakespeare’s Globe, Westminster Abbey, Kew Gardens, Oxford University, London Zoo and The British Museum. Create something from stone! ·Students learn simple masonry and carving exercises: roughing out, carving, refining and perfecting the use of mallets (hammers), chisels and rifflers. They then produce their own piece using Limestone or other suitable stone. Goggles and masks, mallets or hammers, chisels, G clamps, tables or benches will all be provided. If weather permits you will be working outside, or in the Barn Gallery and workshop spaces, it can be cold so please come in warm clothing. There is space for a maximum number of 6 students on this workshop. Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th July 10 – 5.00

Adam Williamson demonstrating how to rough out stone carvings on his 2013 course

AUGUST Calligraphy. £45.00Professional Calligrapher Cindy Wonnacott will be working with you to create a beautifully drawn alphabet and the written word. You will learn this traditional skill working in a small class with a maximum of 6 spaces available. If you have your own calligraphy tools and sketch books and other art materials please bring them. If not all materials and tools will be provided. Saturday 9th August 10 – 4.00

Pit firing in the Garden £65.00Day 1: the workshop will start with a day creating a series of pots and objects that will be bisque fired ready for next week’s pit firing. Day 2: The pit will be dug and the objects will be placed in the pit ready for firing along with a mixture of oxides and organic materials. But if any budding potters out there have some fired bisque already that they would like to put in the pit then come along, bring your banana skins, dried manure etc. to put in the pit…fingers crossed for good weather. Julie leFevre will show you this traditional and surprising way to fire your work. Saturday 16th August 10 – 4.00 Saturday 23rd August 6 -9pm

Lighting the fire at the Pit Firing. Metalwork workshop. Stone carving in the sun. Photo workshop. .

Experimental Metalwork, (creating a mirror frame.) £55.00This workshop will allow you to combine traditional techniques such as embossing, patination and gilding. You will create a mirror frame that explores these processes and your own designs. You will build final images layer by layer, pushing the metal and surface to create something unique. All materials will be provided, but if you have your own specialist materials. This course is limited to 6 places. Kate is traditionally trained as a silversmith and uses these skills to create unique fine art pieces that are made from metal and use traditional jewellery skills. Saturday 23rd August 10 – 4.00

Creative Machine Sewing £90.00This is a two day workshop led by Helen den Dulk, which will use alternative materials and methods to create 2D and 3D machine stitched art. Helen is the founder of ‘Stitch and bitch’, the sewing group at Festive Road, where she used her textiles knowledge and her experience as a mixed media artist.The course is suitable for all abilities and is for a maximum of six people. Participants will spend the first day experimenting and planning with literally any materials that can be sewn: fabric, paper, plastic and materials they create themselves, such as fusible web, and laminated items. The second day will focus on making final pieces, inspired by each individual’s earlier experimentation. There will be sewing machines available and materials but please feel free to bring your own.Saturday 30th and 31st August 10.00 – 4.00

Examples of textile pieces of work using a variety of techniques.

Please note, all workshops will run if there is a minimum of 4 people attending each session.

Westbury Arts Centre reserves the right to cancel a class if necessary but will give as much notice as possible in the case of unforeseen circumstances.

SEPTEMBER

Shakespeare Festival, Open Studios and Heritage Weekend Westbury Arts Centre’s is based in a 17th Century farmhouse, with parts dating back to the Domesday Book. We will be open to the public, with performances, exhibitions, and open studios taking place over the weekend.

Now in its third year the weekend will see daily performances of Shakespeare’s Playlets performed on the lawn by a host of fantastic local actors (or in the Barn if the weather is wet!) See web site for details.Saturday 13th and 14th sept 10 – 4.00 Shakespeare performances are daily at 3pm; please bring a picnic and something comfy to sit on.

Shakespeare2013

SPECIAL EVENTS International Women’s Day.This is a day workshop for women in celebration of International Women’s Day. Cindy Wonnacott, Calligraphy Artist will start the session with an introduction to this beautiful technique and then using the written word you will create a piece of written art work to take away with you. The theme for today is 'the times of our lives' and the women taking part will be asked to produce a story, poem, or whatever, and use calligraphy techniques taught by Cindy to highlight their interpretations of this phrase. The hope is to create a special booklet as a memory of the day. This is a free event and is limited to 10 places. Saturday 8th March 10 – 4.00

Bucks Open Studios and Exhibition Westbury Arts Centre Studio holders and guests will be opening their studios during this exciting event. The studios will be open for the first 2 weeks of this 3 week period. The studio will have an exhibition of invited artists work in both the House and Barn Gallery at Westbury Arts Centre and all are welcome to the Opening day on the 7 th June when refreshments will be available. Saturday 7th until 15th June 10 – 4.00 See website for participating artists and opening times.

Festival of Light Inspired by the Hindu festival of Diwali the festival of light which this year is 23 – 27 October, this one day workshop will be a chance to create a series of lanterns, suitable for children, at the end of the workshop all the lanterns will be lit and displayed in the garden before being taken home. This is an event suitable for all the family.Saturday 25th October 10 – 4.00

Westbury Arts Centre Seasonal Fair.

This year’s seasonal fair is a chance for Westbury Arts Centre to welcome the local community to a celebration of all things seasonal, handmade and vintage. Mince pies, raffles and traditional games will make this a great event for all the family and friends please see web site for details

Saturday 22nd/23rd November 11.00 – 4.00 daily

RAKU

Westbury Arts Centre is pleased to work with MKRaku, offering a comprehensive series of Raku workshops suitable for all abilities.*There are a selection of Raku courses throughout the summer please contact Mark Compton or Kirsteen Holuj via email on mkraku@yahoo.co.uk or call Westbury Arts Centre on 01908 501214 for more information.

Making Pots -Raku Workshop. Based in the drawing room looking over the lawn, this one day workshop will be a chance to make pots for the later Raku firings listed

below. Saturday 15 March 10.00 – 4.00

Raku Day Workshops.These raku days are based in Westbury Arts Centres garden, come dressed for the weather and smoke and enjoy seeing your pots transform as the emerge from the smoke, with an array of fantastic effects. Each day is 10.00am until 4.00pm or until the pots are finished.Saturday 29 March 10.00 – 4.00, Saturday 26 April, Saturday 24 May, Sunday 22 June, Saturday 26 July tbc.

EXHIBITIONS An Exhibition of work from Milton Keynes College HND PhotographyShowcasing the work of L3 and HND Photography students from MK College. All are welcome to the open evening on Friday 25th April from 5pm -7pmSaturday 26th - 24th April 11 – 4.00 The exhibition will be open at weekends and by appointment in the week

Bucks Open Studios and Exhibition To complement Bucks Open Studios, there will be an exhibition of invited artists work in both the House and Barn Gallery at Westbury Arts Centre and all are welcome to the Opening day on the 7th June when refreshments will be available throughout the day. Saturday 7th until 15th June 10 – 4.00 See website for participating artists and full opening times.

Graduate ExhibitionAn exhibition of Westbury Arts Centres invited graduate artists from its annual national residency scheme. This exhibition will be a chance to see a selection of The University of Northampton’s recent graduate’s degree show work. The exhibition will be open at weekends and by appointment in the week

Exhibition of Work by Lesley Humphreys

Westbury Arts Centre’s are pleased to welcome Local artist Lesley Humphreys. This intensely personal body of work deals with the memoirs and memory of Eileen. The project began with over 5 hours of recorded interviews which were transcribed into just under 20,000 words. These words have now been edited down and are embedded into the work. This exhibition shows large scale pieces of art that show the different aspects of Eileen’s life with edited audio accompaniment, capturing moments such as her time as a seamstress using dressmaking patterns, buttons and thread and her war years as she had much to say about being bombed out three times. Lesley uses mixed media and the written word to allow the viewer to step into Eileen’s life. .See web site for details

Saturday 13th - 27th Sept 11.00 – 4.00 The exhibition will be open at weekends and by appointment in the week

Graduate Artist 2013 Andrea Willette.

CHILDRENS EVENTS Westbury Arts Centre Saturday Morning Arts Club

Each session is 2 hours, is aimed at 8 -16 year olds, and is £10.00 per session.

All art materials are provided. The art club will run fortnightly. Please see web site for details.

Dates to be confirmedSpring Half Term 17th – 21st MarchHalf term 26th -30th May

Ceramic egg painting, chickens optional!This is chance to make a series of air drying clay eggs and chickens that will make fantastic gifts for Easter. Model each piece ready for drying and taking home for you to paint. There will time to design your own patterns ready to paint on the eggs. This workshop is suitable for children. Saturday 12th April 1 – 4.00

Pin Hole Camera Tracey Sherwood will lead this family workshop, showing you how to create your own camera from a cardboard box. Please bring a shoe box or similar small box with you that ideally you will have painted black (inside). You will use your camera to create your very own photos that you will be shown how to develop in our dark room. Suitable for children over 8 years of age accompanied by an adult. Saturday 26th April 10 – 4.00

Puppet Making and Puppetry.

This is a day workshop that will show you how to make a puppet and then the afternoon will concentrate on skills involved in puppetry. Working with Shelly Atton, co-founder of ‘Moon on a Stick’, puppet theatre group. She has a wealth of experience and she will inform your puppet making skills and take you through the first steps of becoming a puppeteer. Saturday 17th Maynd 1.00– 4.00

Festival of Light Inspired by the Hindu festival of Diwali the festival of light which this year is 23 – 27 October, this one day workshop will be a chance to create a series of lanterns, suitable for children, at the end of the workshop all the lanterns will be lit and displayed in the garden before being taken home. This is an event suitable for all the family.Saturday 25th October 10 – 4.00

Stone Carving Workshop.