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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 |
ActivitiesThe 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. |
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Getting creativeDrawing 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. |
PresentationsSlide shows and talks relating to the workshop will be given in the yurt by experienced artists and naturalists. Lessons on rubbishOur 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. |
The starting point for each workshop will be exploration through observation
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The YurtOur 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 |
Each workshop will be uniqueBefore 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. |
Special EventsSpring 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 01822 860287
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