Spring into 2023 with workshops and courses at The Base!
We are looking forward to our new Spring classes and workshops starting up at The Base – we get to meet so many new faces, many of whom have set themselves new year’s resolutions to learn a new skill, be more creative or to carve out some ‘me-time’.
Courses start in the second week of January, and already our Start with Art: Beginners course is nearly fully booked! If you’re just starting out, perhaps our Beginners Oil Painting or Contemporary Painting classes could provide that gentle introduction to getting creative that you might be looking for. Our weekly Life Drawing classes on a Wednesday and Friday evenings are great for improving your creative observational skills in a super relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
In the latter half of the term is our new Upcycle and Repurpose Picture Frames with artist and framer, Laura Cranston, and brand new five-week course with Base Resident Artist, Ellie Kerr-Smiley where you’ll look at the life and work of one artist per week in Great Female Artists: Women's History Month.
We kick off our one-off workshop programme with a Silkscreen Printing Workshop with the Berkshire Printmakers where, in one evening, you’ll an original piece of art using paper stencils and photoscreens. Or create some eco artwork in a different style with artist Sarah Jane Gordon in her fascinating Tetra Pak® Printmaking workshop. Using recycled packaging, this day half-day course will show you how to create original prints from start to finish by using easily accessible materials.
If sculpture is more your thing, artist Flora Gare will show you how to sculpt with wire in her Drawing with Wire: Spring Flowers and Puffins workshops. Using coloured copper wire, you’ll learn how to trace, join and shape the wire, while working from a drawing. Or get your hands dirty and make an Illustrated Vessel with artist Katherine Kingdon using slab building techniques to construct a clay vessel or two, for example, a vase, bowl, planter, mug or jug.
For those who enjoy working with fabrics we’ve got an array of workshops, from Sew a Zippy Pouch with to an Intro to Drop Spindle Spinning or even Create your own Stitch House Artwork.
This spring we’re thrilled to welcome back the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to our Gallery. Inspired by this prestigious photographic event, we have programmed two Talks – the first, WPY58 In Focus, will be a fascinating evening with Dr Natalie Cooper, a member of the official judging panel for the NHM. A couple of weeks later we will be joined by members of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust who will talk about The Wildlife of West Berkshire. Both Talks include entry to the exhibition, as well as a glass of wine or orange juice.
We’re thrilled to welcome back Donna Lewis who will be running the popular 5-week Wildlife Photography Course - all levels of experience are welcome and you don't need a specialist camera to join in!
Artist Louise Angus will lead a fun Watercolour Animals (pictured below) drop-off workshop for young people and Berkshire Printmakers will show them how to create their own animal print artwork in their Wildlife Screenprinting workshop.
Then of course we have our hugely popular Half Term Art Club for all budding young artists which takes place Mon 13 – Th 16 Feb, for children aged 7-11 years where they’ll get to experiment with different art techniques and creative projects.
So, as you can see, we have so much to offer this Spring and there’s even more than these highlights… See the full list of workshops and courses at The Base here. If you fancy the look of a workshop or course and we’re sold out, do send us a message to be added to the waiting list. If we have enough interest, we may be able to explore the possibility of running another date.