... we've been doing lots! We appreciate that you won't know about it unless we tell you so here's a roundup. This year we've been chatting to new tutors, planning new workshops with existing ones and making all sorts of plans for 2024. But, before we start, here's what we've been up to so far in January and February:
And we've got some exciting news in the development of the business - keep an eye on the local press, Facebook and Instagram over the next month or so to find out about a new venture that we've been working on!
Now, without further ado, here's what we've got coming up over the next 3 months - although do keep visiting our Workshops page as we do add more from time to time:
Jesmonite Planter Workshop: Still a couple of places on this on Sunday 3rd March, 10am-1pm: Make a marbled planter, learning how to mix and pour coloured jesmonite into moulds to create your own unique pieces. Your tutor is Jess from incredible Selfish Design and this workshop is £45 - a few places still left!
Experimental Print Making 4-Week Workshop: Tuesdays 10am-12 noon from 5th to 26th March. Learn from Sarah Nkugwa of Pop Print Studio. You'll cover monotype, tetra pac printing with chiné colle, stamp making and kitchen lithograph to name a few. All materials will be provided, just bring your ideas and prepare to get experimental! Still places left - all four classes for £50!
5th March - try Collagraph with Evelyn Polk. Collagraph printing produces some surprising, unexpected results, making it a very experimental and exciting printing technique. This workshop is in two parts: 5th and 12th March 6pm-8:30pm and all materials are provided - just bring some enthusiasm!
9th March from 10am-4pm learn to create lino prints using a single piece of Lino with artist Helen Maxwell. Learn about creating a balanced design, how to safely use cutting tools and how to produce your final print. You will be able to make several prints during the session and will be guided on experimental techniques to make each one a bit different!
Regular tutor Sarah Nkugwa of Pop Print Studio will introduce you to the technique of drypoint etching and chine collé. Transfer your simple line drawings into unique fine art prints! You'll learn to prepare and select suitable artwork, transfer them to drypoint plates and then ink up and print them using specialist etching inks and a small etching press. 10th March 9:30-12:30
On 7th April from 10am-3pm, take part in Experimental Cyanotypes with photographer and artist Mikaela Rackham. You'll be creating cyanotypes using a range of natural forms, and learning about this photographic printing method that involves coating the paper with chemicals to make it light sensitive. Items are laid on the paper and the exposed area turns a Prussian blue (where the name blue print comes from!) You'll also be able to experiment with salts, hydrogen peroxide and wet cyanotypes for different effects.
Unusually, there's a couple of places left on this Fused Glass Flower workshop on 13th April from 9:30am-1pm with our very own Danielle Hopkinson. You'll learn glass cutting and decorating with frits, stringers and high fire paints to create 3 unique flowers.
Your creations will be fired in our kilns after the workshop ready for you to collect a few days later.
If you'd like to try garden flowers - fused flowers on longer stems, take a look at our May workshops - they're new and we're looking at offering these into
the future.
A new workshop from regular tutor, jeweller Andrea Wright: Textured Drop Earrings on 14th April from 10am-1pm. Made from silver sheet and wire, Andrea will teach you how to measure, saw, punch and drill, file and sand and apply texture to the main body of the earrings before adding hooks and beads. Don't delay with this one - only 4 places!
Our final workshop in April is on 27th from 10am to 5pm and is a Vitreous Enamelling Master Class with Dale Devereux Barker. Dale will encourage and guide you through the creative and technical aspects of enamelling and you'll design and produce two completed artworks by the end of the day. No experience is needed, just a willingness to experiment and to have fun!
And that's just the beginning...
We've got lots of other workshops on our list, for later on in the year, and new classes are being added all the time. Take a look at all the new skills you could learn and book for yourself, or for a gift for others. Talking of which, we also offer gift vouchers if you'd like to give the gift of creativity but would rather let your friend or loved one choose for themselves (Mothers' Day's on the 10th March... just saying!)
And finally...
We've been getting out and about - bringing Stoke Bridge Workshops out of the building. Towards the end of last year, we held a series of workshops at Blackthorpe Barn, and we're currently setting up Easter and Summer holiday workshops at Paddy & Scott's on Ipswich Waterfront for both adults and kids.
If you'd like to chat about us coming to your venue - printmaking, glass fusing, pottery or something different, please get in touch.
Keep your eyes peeled on Instagram and Facebook for news of all workshops as we introduce them and, as always, we look forward to welcoming you to our events and workshops very soon.
Danielle and Ian