All Exhibiting, Associate and Student Members are eligible to attend workshops and other meet-ups. These sociable events allow for an interchange of ideas and information, providing valuable support and skills development opportunities for members. Our most recent workshops are featured below.
November 2024: Workshop led by Dot Black in Edinburgh
Sixteen members of EDGE Textile Artists Scotland took part in a one-day workshop that focused on drawing. This was an experimental drawing workshop using natural forms as stimulus. It covered a range of drawing exercises using different media and approaches, working up to large scale.
The day started off with a series of quick drawings using A4 paper. We experimented with a range of techniques including drawing with the non-dominant hand, continuous line drawing, and using charcoal, graphite, inks, pencils and other mark-making methods. During the day we increased the size of our drawings and tried out different types of media.
Many thanks go to Dot for her cheerful and positive guidance, and to Rose Campbell and Alison King for organising the event. The photos below show examples of the work produced.
March 2024: Workshop led by Sheila Mortlock in Penicuik
Twelve members of EDGE Textile Artists Scotland took part in a two-day weekend workshop, Printed Layers for Stitch.
This workshop demonstrated how simple print techniques, carried out at home without the need for expensive equipment, can help produce unique surfaces for use as a background for stitch or to cut up and include in an ongoing artwork. During the first day, we concentrated on creating the painted surface. Participants were encouraged to bring Gelli plates with them and we used acrylic paints with fabric medium alongside various print blocks, stencils and Thermofax plates.
On the second day, we worked with fabric, sheer materials and other in-progress pieces, to explore the use of appliquéd, collage and stitch. Sheila encouraged us to cut up our printed fabrics as part of this process. Many thanks to Sheila for this excellent workshop, and to Rose Campbell and Alison King who organised the event.
Images of the work produced.
2022: Online workshops
Artist Eleanor White of Bridgehouse Art in Ullapool held two online classes in the first half of the year. In her first class, Abstract Form – Text & Tone, we experimented with using text and our own handwriting in some black and white design work exercises. We were encouraged to make small designs using our work, which proved to be incredibly addictive and productive. In the second class, Abstraction into Personal Motif, we worked in colour to complete some more exercises, working towards a final composition using our own images and inspirations.
2022: In-person workshops
Later on in 2022, the group met at Off the Rails Arthouse in Ladybank, with Fife-based artist Dominique Cameron. In Dominique’s classes, Making a Map, we remembered and documented a favourite walk. Dominique gave us lots of ideas, including referencing poems, as well as helping us to interpret our memories in a pictorial or abstract way.
The images below show some of the work produced.
2021: Zoom workshop weekend with Eleanor White
In April 2021, twelve members of the group took part in our first Zoom workshop. It was run by the talented artist and tutor Eleanor White of Bridge House Art in Ullapool.
We enjoyed a busy weekend starting on the Friday night with a chat and review of the still life that each of us had set up, and our first exercise. The Saturday workshop was called How we see, not what we see. After an informative slide show, we moved onto a series of exercises working from our own still life arrangements. All our drawings were done in quick succession in black and white, progressing on to collage work, then a final piece. The day was wound up with a slide show sharing our work, with discussion and critique on each piece.
Sunday’s workshop, Colour and Imagination, started with a narrated slide show, then we completed a series of quick exercises responding to music then onto words from a poem. This helped us to explore different ways to express words using drawing, painting and collage. Our final piece of work was a painting using one line from the poem that inspired us. We finished with a slide show to share and discuss the final results.
The Zoom link was open throughout the weekend which gave us a feeling of all working together; it also made it easy for us to ask questions as we went along. Eleanor has worked very hard to ensure that the workshop is successful in the Zoom format and in some ways it proved even better than an in-person course. Lots of very different work produced over the weekend. We extend a  huge thank you to Eleanor for her enthusiasm and inspiration, for working us hard and for helping us to achieve some wonderful results. Also thanks go to Christine who gave technical support throughout the weekend.
Images of work made during the weekend are shown below.
2016: Drawing with Dorothy Black
In October 2016, in anticipation of EDGE’s exhibition in February 2017 at Verdant Works Jute Museum in Dundee, a group of us enjoyed a productive day of drawing. There were so many aspects of the museum’s display to explore, from the rich social history to the processes involved in the production of fabric from the raw jute. It was altogether an inspirational day.
Workshop with Bruce Pert
Eight members enjoyed a workshop with Bruce Pert on how to photograph our artwork. After some technical training, we all had the opportunity to photograph some of our own pieces.
2016: Printing for New Ideas
In May 2016, eight members of Edge very much enjoyed a two-day printing workshop with Claire Heminsley at Off The Rails Arthouse, Ladybank. We used screen, cyanotype, lino and monotype techniques for ideas for new work from initial drawings of our inspirations. We worked hard during the two days and produced interesting prints, ready for Gallery 3 at Edinburgh Palette, which will celebrate the future of the group.
Life Drawing with Dorothy Black at Edinburgh College
Here are 12 images from our workshop at Edinburgh College Granton Campus on Saturday the 24th October. Our tutor was Dorothy Black and our models were Edie and Ashley. We worked on an exhilarating set of exercises ending up with 20 drawings ranging from 1 minute to 30 minute poses. This was, surprisingly, a physically and emotionally demanding experience requiring a lot of concentration. It was a lot of fun and for some it was an experience of life drawing not to be missed. Dot was an encouraging, patient and helpful teacher and we hope to see her again in the future. Images of some of our drawings are below.
Indigo Dyeing and Shibori with Molly Bullick at the Big Cat in Newburgh
On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, eight members enjoyed an excellent indigo dyeing and shibori workshop by Molly Bullick at the Big Cat in Newburgh. We learned how to set up an indigo vat, experiment with tying various natural cloths and dye them, making patterns in beautiful shades of blue. Molly had brought many books and it is fascinating to read how much indigo is used to dye cloth in many parts of the world. We were welcomed at the Big Cat studios by Jeanette and Alison where the facilities are most accommodating.
Myths and Legends
This was the second of two weekend workshops with Sally Payne. Ten members of the group had a great weekend at Hospitalfields Art Studios in April with Sally. We were working with the Myths and Legends theme of our next exhibition.
New members Ali, Betty and Judith contributed to the weekend with their terrific ideas and the way they extended them enhanced our group feedback time.
There was also an earlier successful workshop on the Myths and Legends theme for members with Sally Payne as tutor at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath in October 2014.
These are some images of the participants and their work from the October workshop.
2014: Hat in the Cat Acid Dye workshop
We had a very enjoyable workshop on Saturday, 20th September 2014, held at the Studio in Newburgh, with Jeanette Sendler and Alison Mountain who introduced us to colouring pre-felt with acid dyes. Felting was made easy by minimal ‘felting’ of the prefelt before dyeing. We could then concentrate on applying layers of colour and pattern by using clamps to secure on to the felt as ‘printing blocks’ various objects with interesting textures. The creative use of found objects: sink drain covers, deconstructed metal salad drainers and screws to name but a few, all found around the house or available from hardware departments. A lot of fun! We also had time in the afternoon session to dye silk and print onto it with Thermofax Screens.
2015: Mentoring
We had another brilliant weekend of mentoring with Sarah Burgess was held on the 10th and 11th of October 2015 at Leith Academy.
Sarah was an inspiring person, encouraging and helpful in making us think out of the box on progress with our work. Some were first-timers who had nothing but praise for Sarah’s gentle approach and really enjoyed the session with her.
Others returned for a second time with work with they had been making since their last meeting with Sarah. There was a really positive feeling from the group. Again, the experience of a personal mentoring session has been all positive. A one-to-one chance to meet with Sarah and talk about your work to someone who is both perceptive and encouraging.
10 out of 10
We also held two mentoring sessions for group members previously with Sarah Burgess as mentor at Leith Academy, Edinburgh. Here’s a short review of these:
I’m so glad you all found the session so good and Sarah so impressive. We all felt the same on Saturday and some of us feel quite positive and progressive. Here are some of the comments from the Saturday folk:
“Absolutely brilliant and very helpful”
“Sarah is lovely, extremely understanding and perceptive”
“Enjoyed meeting Sarah. A delightful person. My work will take a different direction.”
“Hope next April sessions go ahead”
Sarah says she mentioned to you all on Sunday that she would personally respond with brief replies to anyone who shares what they would like to take forward in their work following this workshop. I think that’s value for money!
Comments from the Sunday folk:
“Confirms my belief in what I’m doing”
“Gives me assistance in lateral thinking to my approach”
“Clarity and direction”
“Distilled the essence of my work to enable me to move forward”
“Was able to see through the dross of detail and give me direction”
The response to this initial weekend of mentoring sessions was brilliant.
Older workshops and lectures
2006: Distilling the Landscape: Workshop with Alison King. Read our interview with Alison King in which she talks about her influences and inspirations, and the challenges facing textile artists.
2006: Third Kathleen Whyte Memorial Lecturer, Sarah Burgess. Read more…
2005: Second Kathleen Whyte Memorial Lecturer, Jan Miller. Read more…
2005: Sally Payne workshop. Eighteen edge members enjoyed an inspiring weekend workshop at Newbattle Abbey College in Midlothian near Edinburgh with Sally Payne. Read more…
2004: First Kathleen Whyte Memorial Lecture, given by Professor Anne Morrell. Read more…