in-person NATURAL INK. workshops this week in west wales
an abundance of local offerings
Hello folks.
I have two NATURAL INK. in-person workshops coming up this week that I would like to share with you, plus two superb opportunities from other local arts and land-based projects here.
This INKLINGS is Pembrokeshire/West Wales centred. If you are further afield, I thank you for your patience and consideration while I big up some local abundance.
An Introduction to Botanical Ink-Making
This Friday, June 6th, I am running an Introduction to Botanical Ink-Making workshop at Colby Woodland Gardens in Amroth.
10 am - 1 pm.
Pay-what-you-can tiered pricing £15 - £45.
All materials provided.
In this introductory, seasonal session we will explore the grounds of Colby and work with one or two plants to make an array of botanical ink colours for drawing, writing, painting and crafting.
You will: Learn the process of making ink from respectfully gathering to bottling, with extra colour science and alchemy along the way. Have space to pause and play, with gently led writing and drawing activities. Leave with your own bottle of ink, your ink experiments on paper and the skills to keep experimenting with natural colour at home. A warm welcome to all experience levels. You may be a long-time maker and artist looking to bring more nature-based and sustainable materials into your practice, or a nature-loving and art-curious person looking to try something new. Connecting to place, plants and the seasons through slow and sensory handcrafting.
The Ground Beneath Our Feet
This coming Saturday, 7th June, I will be running a collaborative workshop session with friend and colleague Dr Morgan Jones from Aberystwyth University’s Earth Sciences Department as part of Glasbren’s community day on the farm.
Together we’ll learn about the deep-time history of the area, including continents colliding, huge volcanoes and massive underwater landslides, and explore how the rocks beneath our feet shaped the landscape, livelihoods and culture of this part of Wales. We’ll then experiment with making earth-pigment paint from respectfully gathered materials.
This session will be running after lunch, which is at 1pm, and is part of a whole day of community activities. The day begins with a talk from one of Glasbren’s founders, Abel, on ‘Food with the Farmers’ Face On It: What Community Supported Agriculture is all about’. There will then be the opportunity to get stuck into some shared practical things on the farm (under no duress and in line with your own capacity). Lunch is a bring-a-dish-to-share affair, and hot drinks are available throughout the day.
This is a free-to-attend community event - head to the link below to let Glasbren know you’ll be joining.
Artist Call Out with Span Arts, Narberth, Pembrokeshire.
It is an honour and a delight to be part of the steering group for this queer-led programming as part of Span Arts’ prolific community output this year.
SPAN Arts works to create platforms for diverse voices across our community.
As a rural community, the true diversity of West Wales can be hard to see. When in truth, Pembrokeshire is physically, culturally, mentally, and sexually diverse. Without the central gathering points of large urban bases, these communities are often hidden from view and lack representation in our wider cultural life. This invisibility can lead to a lack of understanding from the wider community and a loss of enriching cultural exchange.
SPAN has revived support for the National Lottery Awards for All fund to support new co-created LGBTQ+ led creative programming in Pembrokeshire. The events, projects and activities under this funding are designed and agreed on by a group of LGBTQ+ artists and community members.
6-week ‘Our Queer Nature’ course in Carmarthen.
Please note - if you are interested in this course but the daytime does not work for you, please email and let the organisers know. There is the possibility that the timing for this course will change to the evening if this suits more people.
