Learn new skills or nurture existing talents under the guidance of expert tutors. Choose from over 700 creative short courses from Scuplture to Printmaking engaging subjects tailored for your ability, from beginner to advanced.
Take advantage of our fully equipped workshops and studios, with a pottery, forge, fine-metals workshop, spacious art studios, a sculpture courtyard and a stone carving workshop. The historic house setting and award-winning gardens promise a stimulating environment.
Immerse yourself in creativity for a day, a week or a weekend.
“The best course I have ever attended - challenging, supportive, well-structured and presented by a world class tutor. I have never learned so much in such as short space of time. ”
Caroline, Italics - basics, flourish and experimental
21-25 October 2018
Let the vibrant colours and patterns of Mexico energise your ideas and creations on a week-long course. From designing clothing with Mexican panache, to sculptural artworks and silk painting, immerse yourself in a rich and exciting culture.
Inspired by College founder Edward James' love of Mexico, this themed week also offers talks from tutors revealing their current practice. All tutors either live in Mexico or create work influenced by the country.
Develop your portfolio of art and design skills for entry onto a related degree programme. The FDAD includes 10 short courses during which you will create a rich and varied portfolio of work. The course will help you ensure your portfolio reflects your talents and areas of interest and focus on your future career aspirations.
"The excellent teaching pushed us beyond expectations; individual advice was very helpful as was being in such a beautiful setting."
Kathy Attawell, Beginners watercolours
The West Dean College Diploma in Art and Contemporary Crafts is a two year part-time programme delivered through intensive study blocks throughout the year, through attending short courses to develop skills and through independent study outside attendance at the College. The programme is focused on developing skills essential to the successful development of a sustainable studio practice, both practical and contextual.
Stay and dine with us
Make your creative experience truly immersive by staying with us during your course. As a residential student you can choose a traditional or more modern room, and wake up to the characterful charm of this period property set in acres of parkland.
Start the day with a traditional English or continental breakfast in the bright and airy dining room. For lunch and dinner, you will find a tempting new menu each day, with two seasonal hot dishes, salad bar and a range of puddings. Dinner on the first night and lunch through out your courses is included in your course price. Breakfast and dinner are included in your stay.
The Foundation Diploma in Tapestry Weaving is awarded in recognition of the successful completion of the two year, part-time programme of six, three-day units, self-directed study and making, and a final 1500 word essay. It aims to offer tapestry weavers a broad insight into the technical and creative techniques of tapestry weaving, necessary for developing skills and building your own creative language. It is aimed at weavers who have completed a beginners' course at West Dean College or elsewhere, and are looking to commit to an extended and intensive programme of study.
Give the gift of creativity with a West Dean College gift voucher
Treat a creative friend or a loved one to a gift voucher. Give the gift of creativity and the chance to learn a new skill while making something to wear, use or display proudly in the home or garden.
You can buy £10, £25, £50 or £100 vouchers, which can be used for full or part payment of a course.
Buy your vouchers from bookingsoffice@westdean.org.uk
or 01243 818300. You can also
request vouchers from Reception.
Escape the everyday
Listen to a concert or recital, pick up some top tips at a garden talk or enjoy a day out for the whole family.
Refresh your skills and update your knowledge of developments in materials, techniques and current practice through continuing professional development in conservation. Ideal for conservators, our conservation short courses are made up of Building Conservation Masterclasses and Object and Materials Conservation courses.
Learn more about Conservation CPD
Short courses are part of the School of Creative Arts, which also offers full-time programmes in Visual Arts from Foundation to Postgraduate Diplomas, MA and MFA. Within this rich, immersive environment the vision of founder and Surrealist patron Edward James connects today's students with a rich heritage of art.
Learn more about the School of Creative Arts
Find out about accommodation, booking, what to bring, information for overseas students, arrivals information and more details to help you get the most out of your short course.
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West Dean is part of a registered charity and relies on the support of generous donors, friends, legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.