Photo of sky through top of yurt frame Workshop Under the Sky nomadic environmental art workshops
 




The Big Draw Picture


 

Jennie Hale and children painting and drawing

Workshop Under the Sky will bring its yurt to your school or neighbourhood as a base to find out more about the world around you – from the microscopic to the macro. Each workshop is tailor made to the needs and interests of your group – we cater for all ages and abilities. Through a range of arts activities we will introduce you to the natural world on your doorstep, then teach you techniques to capture what you see through art and words.

Brought to your school or neighbourhood in West Devon, Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley

Watercolour painting of newts in a pond

Activities

The starting point for each workshop will be exploration through observation, with activities such as: minibeast safaris pond dipping moth trapping wildlife watching animal tracking fieldcraft investigating ecosystems investigating what’s natural and what’s man made.

Children drawing owl pellets

 

Creating felt pictures

Getting creative

Drawing what we have found will be a core element of each workshop, using pastel, coloured pencils, watercolour, pen and ink, pencil, charcoal and conte. Drawings will be developed with other artwork, such as: mask making animal and bird willow sculpture felt making puppet making collage large scale paintings.

We will be using recycled materials wherever possible.

Watercolour painting of newts in a pond

Presentations

Slide shows and talks relating to the workshop will be given in the yurt by experienced artists and naturalists.

Lessons on rubbish

Our finds will lead to group discussions about the environment and our impact upon it. A focus on re-using, recycling and disposal of waste materials, with quizzes and fun activities will make us think more carefully about what we throw away. Groups will be encouraged to bring some of their rubbish along with them to make use of in the creative part of the workshop. Another topic of discussion will be archaeology – showing that what other people have left behind can help us to understand the way they have lived – and what we might learn from their experience.

Collage of watercolour paintings of deer and caterpilars

 

The starting point for each workshop will be exploration through observation

 

Sunset behind yurt frame

 

Photo of yurt

Photo of yurt frame

The Yurt

Our yurt was made for us by Tim Hutton, in St Breward Cornwall. It is a Kyrgyz style yurt based on a traditional central Asian design with a steam bent wooden frame. All the wood that Tim uses for his yurts is locally grown from well-managed sustainable woodlands. To find out more about these beautiful structures visit his website

www.yurtworks.co.uk

Each workshop will be unique

Before you book we will discuss with you the focus for your individual workshop. We offer workshops for a single day, or for several days, which enables schools to use the facilities for several groups. Core activities of investigating the environment, observational drawing and weaving words will be common to all workshops - but the other elements will depend on the needs of each group. We can cater for children and adults; for school groups or village and community groups. We will tailor each workshop to the local environment and to the interests of the people taking part. We have agreement from the Forestry Commission and Coryton Estate to site our yurt on their land - or we can set it up close to your school or neighbourhood (subject to permission from the landowner).

Jennie Hale is a well-known wildlife artist and potter. She brings her enthusiasm and experience as a naturalist together with her skills as an artist. Jennie keeps a regular nature diary, and has worked with schools and colleges. Nikki Chaplin is alocal journalist who has worked in radio and television, and has published work on local history. We will bring in other experts according to the needs of the workshops including other artists, forest rangers, archaeologists, naturalists from organisations such as Butterfly Conservation, and environmentalists. We will also offer slide shows and talks on specialist subjects. All personnel working with children will have been through the current Disclosure security system.

Collage chidlren drawing and others wearing felt masks

Special Events

Spring flowers and birds

Butterfly summer

Autumn action

Orchard colours

Experience the wintering birds of our wild estuaries

Watch out for news of our special two-day events covering these and other topics. Experts from all over the country will be joining us as workshop leaders.

Keep an eye on our website or contact us for more information. If you would like to find out more about Workshop under the Sky

Contact:

Jennie Hale
Workshop Under the Sky
Longham Pottery
Coryton
Devon
EX20 4AA

01822 860287

www.workshopunderthesky.co.uk

 

Logos of supporters

Link to Butterfly Conservation Website Link to Dartmoor National Park Website Link to Forestry Commission Website Link to West Devon Environmental Action Website Link to West Devon Borough Council Website DAT Designs