Silversmithing
Ref: SSS10558
Suitable for all
£800On this exciting, ideas-led course, express your creativity working on individual projects ranging from a small bowl or vase to large, experimental jewellery. If you are a beginner, learn basic techniques. For the more experienced, develop your skills creating and finishing forms in sheet metal using techniques such as raising, planishing, soldering and press forming.
Learn methods for creating three-dimensional forms from sheets of metal using the exciting techniques of fold forming, raising, planishing, soldering and press forming. Beginners will be introduced to basic techniques including forming, soldering, annealing and texturing and more complex techniques such as raising. The more experienced can continue to develop their skills according to their needs.
Your design ideas are discussed on a one-to-one basis and demonstrations and individual practical assistance enable the individual projects to progress successfully. The level of experience and complexity of ideas affects what you can achieve in the time but you can make a small bowl or vase, a simple box, or you can experiment with the techniques to create large jewellery items, depending on the individual’s requirements. The course approach is strongly ideas led and you are encouraged to make simple drawings or paper models of your ideas to communicate what you wish to make.
You can explore your ideas and a range of silversmithing techniques on this course and will receive instruction and support in a friendly and creative atmosphere. The techniques are taught through practical demonstrations with the emphasis on encouraging you to have a go and to develop your own ideas.
A feature of the Summer School is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace further opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course.
Several early evening creative sessions (5.10pm - 7pm) are planned throughout the week. Extra activities will differ this year in response to social distancing. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:
• Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work
• Sign up early evening tutor-led drawing sessions in the garden
• Time to relax or explore in the tranquil West Dean Gardens
• Take a break from your course with some free time on Tuesday afternoon, from 3.30-5pm
• Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios
Timetable for Summer Schools
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for the summer schools will be given to you on arrival.
Arrival Day
Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students should vacate their rooms by 10am please.
Abigail Brown has been producing contemporary designs in silverware since graduating from Loughborough University School of Art & Design in 2001. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is widely collected.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.