Past workshops
Workshops 2022 >>
Eleanor White’s 2021 Zoom workshop weekend >>
Drawing with Dorothy Black
On Saturday the 1st of 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’s 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!
How to Photograph Artwork with Bruce Pert
Eight edge members enjoyed a workshop with Bruce Pert on how to photograph our artwork. After some technical stuff we all had the opportunity to photograph some of our own pieces. I for one had no idea how much my camera was capable of!
Printing for New Ideas with Claire Heminsley at Off The Rails Arthouse, Ladybank
On 14th and 15th May 2016, eight members of Edge very much enjoyed a printing workshop with Claire Heminsley. 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 under Claire’s tutelage and produced interesting prints, ready for Gallery 3 at Edinburgh Palette, which will celebrate the future of the group.
Life Drawing with Dorothy Black/Wylie at Edinburgh College
Here are 12 images from our workshop at Edinburgh College Granton Campus on Saturday the 24th October. Our tutor was Dotothy Black/Wylie 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. What powers of concentration! This was surprisingly quite a physically and emotionally demanding experience. Here are some of the images from our most stimulating day with Dot and our two models. It was a lot of fun and for some it was an experience of life drawing not to be missed. Everyone agreed that Dot was an encouraging, patient and helpful teacher and we hope to see her again in the future.
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 Edge members had a great weekend at Hospitalfields Art Studios in April with Sally, who was an inspiring tutor. 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 adding to the group feed back time. How good it is to have such talent in those just recently joining edge!
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. See more information and images on our Facebook page.
Hat in the Cat Acid Dye Workshop held at the Studio in Newburgh on Saturday, 20th September 2014
We had a very enjoyable workshop with Jeanette Sendler and Alison Mountain who introduced us to colouring prefelt 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.
Recent mentoring
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. Brilliant and inspiring! Put me at my ease. Cleared the head and focus.
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.
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.
10 out of 10
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.
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 is happy to respond with brief comments and thoughts to anyone who would like to send a short report about they feel they would like to think about/take forward in their work or further thoughts they have had. 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. Perhaps it should become, as in other active groups, a requirement of members to be involved in a personal mentoring session every 4 years – definitely something to discuss.
Older workshops and lectures
2006: Distilling the Landscape: Workshop with Alison King. Read our interview with Alison King in which she talks about what influences and inspires her work, and the challenges facing artists working in textiles.
2006: Third Kathleen Whyte Memorial Lecturer, Sarah Burgess. More…
2005: Second Kathleen Whyte Memorial Lecturer, Jan Miller. More…
2005: Sally Payne workshop. Eighteen edge members enjoyed an inspiring weekend workshop at Newbattle Abbey College in Midlothian near Edinburgh with Sally Payne. More…
2004: First Kathleen Whyte Memorial Lecture, given by Professor Anne Morrell. More…