Press Release: Get stuck into a good book this winter, creative Short Courses at West Dean College

As the rise of digital media takes over in many areas of our lives, more and more people are enjoying the hands-on processes involved with bookbinding, paper making, calligraphy and lettercutting. West Dean College offers short courses at every level and with courses lasting from 1 to 4-days there is something to suit everyone in the new brochure. Come in from the cold this winter to learn a new skill, or improve an existing one, in professional workshops with support from expert tutors.

Artist and papermaker Jane Ponsford will explore traditional techniques to create paper artworks inspired by the landscape. Make pulps using cotton rag, casting and couching, laminating and embossing.

An Introduction to creative papermaking (NEW 30 October - 1 November £230 Suitable for all).

Learn or improve copperplate or italic calligraphy skills through individual tuition and group demonstrations with Gaynor Goffe.

Calligraphy - copperplate and italic (NEW 20 - 22 November £222 Suitable for all).

Gain the confidence to self-publish a well-designed book using software. Make exhibition catalogues, travel stories or simply record an event. Learn how to plan a narrative structure, page layout, select typeface and sequence images to create a book.

Designing a self-published book with Alison Milner (NEW 18 - 21 January £340 Intermediate).

Learn to produce beautiful hand-marbled papers starting with simple Suminagashi, using Chinese inks to produce delicate papers before progressing on to traditional marbling techniques.

Making marbled papers with Louise Brockman (NEW 12 - 14 February £250 Beginners/Intermediate).

Combine text and image to create an artist's book. Explore a range of simple book formats, structures and hand binding techniques. Ideal if you have imagery on paper (drawings, writing, prints, patterns, photography etc).

Art bound - creating artists' books with Tracey Bush (NEW 25 - 28 February £336 Suitable for all).

Kathy Abbott will show you how to make two different non-adhesive paper bindings as blank books, which are great starting points to develop into more complex binding structures.

Experimental paper bindings (NEW 8 - 10 April £222 Suitable for all).

Develop your own approach to carving lettering in wood through group and individual tuition as you build your craft skills and gain a sound understanding of good letterforms for a range of end uses.

Letter carving in wood with Gary Breeze (14 - 17 April £325 Suitable for all).

Bursaries

West Dean College offers a range of bursaries to talented students who would not otherwise be able to study at the college. For further information on the FDAD and West Dean College bursaries and to browse the online brochure see www.westdean.org.uk

ACCOMMODATION AT WEST DEAN

Wake up to beautiful views over the Sussex Downs in the stately splendour of a country mansion. The bedrooms are a mixture of contemporary and traditional styling. From £102 per twin room for two nights.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information about Short Courses at West Dean and to browse the digital brochure visit www.westdean.org.uk. First time bookings receive a 10% discount (telephone bookings only call +44 (0)2143 818300.

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Notes to editors

  • West Dean College is part of The Edward James Foundation which also comprises West Dean Gardens, West Dean Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio. Charity No. 1126084.
  • West Dean College offers over 700 creative short courses and is internationally renowned for teaching in Conservation and Creative Arts.
  • All photography is free to use for editorial purposes.
  • Any journalist interested in visiting the Gardens, attending a course or an event for news or review purposes or filming at West Dean should contact the Media Relations Team.
  • West Dean College is situated on the A286, six miles north of Chichester and within easy access of Portsmouth, Guildford, Brighton and London.

Media contact information

For media accreditation or high-resolution digital images, please contact:

Irene Caswell, Senior Media Relations Officer +44 (0)1243 818301

Email

West Dean College and Gardens, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 OQZ www.westdean.org.uk

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