We're excited to share with you all of our news on upcoming workshops and things that are happening in our creative space - the rest of this year's looking just great!
Here's what's happening month-on-month - so much to learn...
July's workshops
You told us that you wanted photography workshops so we've got together with freelance photographer and tutor John-Christian Jacques and are offering two great workshops with more to come!
6th July sees the start of a 4-week evening class in SLR camera foundation - learn how to use your camera - don't delay on this one, it's coming up soon - book now! How great would it be to know all about your camera and not just rely on auto settings? So many of us have great cameras but don't use them to their full extent.
On 16th July we're running an introduction to the darkroom full day workshop - if you'd like to learn how to develop your own films and produce negatives and prints from your images, this is the class for you. Work with chemicals and enlargers to create your own photos from your own film, the workshop includes lunch - Book now!
We've still got places on Betty Adamou's Surface Pattern Graphic Design and Illustration (Nature inspired) workshop on 9th July. From 10am-3pm you'll start with a blank canvas and create a beautiful, nature-inspired surface pattern design using Adobe Photoshop.
After the workshop, you can use your pattern for printing on tea towels, tote bags or to frame. At £55 including lunch, get booking now as it's just around the corner!
August's News
Unusually for us we're not offering any workshops in August - that's because we've got some rather exciting news:
We're going to have an Artist in Residence for the month and it's none other than incredible Colombian illustrator extraordinaire Catalina Carvajal! Here's what's happening in Catalina's own words:
"Stoke Bridge Workshops is one of Ipswich's most creative and welcoming spaces. The team opened their doors to me when I was a newcomer in the town.
I've always wanted to have the time and space to create some personal artwork on canvas, and Stoke Bridge Workshops has invited me to be their artist in residence in the summer. I'm so fortunate.
I have several sketchbooks and folders full of drawings, and I would like to revisit them and create new large pieces.
The residency will provide the environment to focus on creating only personal artwork. Although I love working on a brief, I need some creative me-time. I also need some rest from the screen and design software. I love digital painting, but it changes how one observes and draws, and detox is necessary from time to time. I'm planning to work on different images at the same time. I might or might not improvise, but do expect loads of colour and boldness!
I'm excited as this will be time to create whatever I want. Some slots will be available if you would like to come and visit"
(Photos 3 and 4 taken by our friend and photographer Mikaela Rackham)
We'll keep you posted on when you can visit and also on an event that we'll be holding to mark the end of Catalina's residency.
Super-exciting September
We're back with a vengeance in September - we've got 6 exciting workshops ready and waiting for you to book your spaces:
Here's a re-run of a previously popular workshop from Betty Adamou - Introduction to Botanical Illustration - with a close-up twist.
There are only 3 places left on this workshop on Saturday 3rd - here's your link to book your place
Cyanotypes: taking photos without a camera. Professional photographer Mikaela Rackham teaches you how this blueprint method works with chemicals and light reaction. You'll be experimenting with her and taking home an impressive array of beautifully creative prints that you'll have made. 8 places on this workshop on Sunday 4th September - here's your booking link
Learn from the best in the field! Wayne Tanswell's signwriting day workshops receive so much great feedback every time we host them. Previous guests have gone on to practice and perfect their new-found skills and have undertaken signwriting projects themselves. Wayne only teaches with us and Central Saint Martin's College so grab the opportunity when you can - only 2 places left on 7th September!
Here's an exciting new workshop: making marbled planters and terazzo coasters from Jesmonite, a material made using eco-friendly resin. We've got 8 places on this course but suspect it may be quite popular - book now for this September 11th workshop
There are two opportunities this year to take part in our Beginner in Stained Glass weekend workshops: September 17/18 and October 15/16. Danielle and Ian from our sister company the Stained Glass Studio will take you through each step of the process and you'll come away with your very own stained glass panel. Danielle Hopkinson, is the best glass artist and has lots of workshop experience... you'll be in safe hands!
And finally in September, we've got resident potter and Pot Punk himself, Henry Moore taking you through the process of making a set of 4 mugs! Learn the art of throwing pots in a class with just 4 people, each with your own wheel, you'll get to decorate your mugs with mark-making; they'll then be glazed on the inside and fired so that you can then collect them and make lots of tea and coffee for your friends to admire your handiwork. Don't wait - 4 places will be snapped up - book now!
Oh my goodness it's October!
As well as our Beginners' Stained Glass weekend workshop, we've got two other classes already booked in for October - one's a repeat of a very successful workshop from the fabulously creative potter, Henry Moore: hand building an architecturally-inspired planter; the other's a brand new halloween-themed Jesmonite pumpkin-making workshop - what's not to like about that?!
And finally...
We're just finalising details of new jewellery workshops from our friend and incredibly talented tutor Andrea Wright. One will be making a solid silver bangle, the second will be a lariat necklace workshop and the third, a cabochon ring making class - we can't wait to get these loaded onto the site as we know how amazing Andrea's classes are and these ones will be taking place in July, September and October - keep your eyes peeled on Instagram, Facebook and our website for news!
Don't forget, if you'd like to share the art of creativity with someone else, we have gift vouchers in lots of denominations.
As always, stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you to our workshops very soon.
Danielle and Ian