Six-week Tapestry and Textile Art Study Programme

Tapestry and Textile Art – Explore and Experiment

6 weeks – Explore and Experiment
Monday 27 September- Friday 5 November 2010

This six week unit is fundamental and exploratory. Fundamental because students are introduced to techniques, skills and appropriate use of materials in each core area. The four core areas are tapestry weaving, stitch, felt and print. Exploratory because students begin to focus on personal creative territory and reflect upon historical and contemporary context. This six week unit consists of the following.

Tapestry Weaving workshop
Tutor: Pat Taylor

This is a two week workshop which includes an induction to WestDeanCollege.

The student is introduced to tapestry weaving through practical workshops supported by comprehensive documentation on context and technique. Teaching methods include demonstrations, individual teaching/ tutorials and tutor led group discussion. Historical tapestry weaving techniques are sensitively explored in a contemporary context.

Stitch workshop10-14 October 2010
Tutor: Michael Brennand-Wood

The student is introduced to stitch through practical workshops supported by comprehensive documentation on context and technique. Teaching methods include demonstrations, individual teaching/ tutorials and tutor led group discussion.Using a variety of materials – threads, cords, sticks, wire – the student develops a personal collection of three dimensional lines. This work provides the essential components to be used in an exploration of stitch, depth, translucency, illusion and structure.

Felt workshop 17-21 October 2010
Tutor: Heather Belcher

The student is introduced to the unique qualities of felt making in a contemporary context through practical workshops supported by comprehensive documentation on context and technique. Teaching methods include demonstrations, individual teaching/ tutorials and tutor led group discussion. Techniques covered include making solid balls, tubes and seamless structures.

Printworkshop 24-28 October 2010
Tutor: Carole Waller

The student is introduced to print through practical workshops supported by comprehensive documentation on context and technique. Teaching methods include demonstrations, individual teaching/ tutorials and tutor led group discussion. Techniques investigated will include paper stencils, monoprinting, photo stencils and painting on fabric.

Drawing
Tutor: Kathy Barker

The student is introduced to drawing practices and approaches. Supported by workshops in technique and use of materials and media the student will work through drawing assignments. The workshop aims to nurture the understanding that drawing as a means to develop and articulate creative ideas and concepts.

Contextual study
The student is introduced to the historical and contextual study within Tapestry and Textile Art.
Lectures, group seminars attend to the nature of creative practice within the disciplines of tapestry weaving, stitch, felt, print and drawing.

6 weeks - Reflecting upon creative practice in Tapestry and Textile Art
Monday 8 November- Friday 17 December 2010

This second six weeks of study is an optional continuation following on from Tapestry and Textile Art – Explore and Experiment and is a catalyst for further exploration, change and synthesis. The student moves deeper into their creative practice, forming and testing new ideas, recognising their own visual vocabulary and establishing their particular area of interest. The focus of interest may be in one core area only, for example, felt. While another student may wish to explore a relationship between two core areas, for example tapestry weaving and print.

The student will investigate materials, media and techniques, developing ideas and establish evaluative skills within personal practice. On completion of this six week programme of study the student is able to work independently and effectively, in order to explore and investigate materials, media and techniques and their relationship with ideas through practice.In addition the student will be encouraged to develop ideas that test creative opportunities within the selected techniques and demonstrate developing evaluative skills within personal practice.

Student initiated assignments will explore ideas and concepts applicable to individual personal research. The assignments are supported by one to one tutorials and group tutorials on techniques, ideas and their relationships and primary and secondary sources. The student is encouraged to create a reflective diary and learning journal. Visits to London Galleries and Museums are time tabled.

The tutor
Pat Taylor: Programme Tutor, Tapestry Weaving

Visiting tutors
Michael Brennand-Wood: Stitch
Heather Belcher: Felt
Carole Waller: Print
Kathy Barker: Drawing

Entry requirement
Though there are no formal entry requirements, suitably qualified students may use one or two of the six week study programmes in preparation for the full-time postgraduate study in Tapestry and Textile Art.

Fees £2,380 per 6 weeks study block Accommodation £875 per six week study block