Birtley Woodland Art Space is a community arts, crafts and wellbeing space for people to come together and learn from professional instructors passionate about sharing and passing on their knowledge and skills to others.
Helping people gain new skills and knowledge isn’t only a commitment, but also a passion. With our wide variety of courses and dedicated team of instructors, we make learning easy, affordable and fun.
Your hosts when you visit the studio are Lorraine Ellery Matthews and/or Ruth Wheeler .
ARTS & CRAFTS
We welcome you to tap into your inner creativity and join us for one of our mixed media art and craft workshops. We have a selection of seasonal and themed events with a wide range of activities to choose from suitable for all ages and abilities. In 2022 we introduce our new Whittle & Weave monthly workshop, Spring and Summer Woodland Retreats and themed events too, take a peek and see what's on offer!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
20 April 2024 at 09:00:00
Book Binding and Pyrography Workshop
Learn how to bind a sketch book or journal with Kristina Bodmin Smith, we will use a wooden cover and Ruth Wheeler will teach you how to burn a special design or text onto the cover.
21 April 2024 at 08:30:00
Plant Support Workshop
Join us for a half-day or full-day, outdoor craft workshop and make a selection of plant supports including a Willow Obelisk, Peony Cloche, and/or a garden Willow or Hazel Trellis you can be proud of! This workshop is very popular so do book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
See the link below to learn more and to book.
27 April 2024 at 09:00:00
Walking Stick Workshop
Join Paul for a great day around the studio. In this one-day workshop, you will make a rustic walking stick (or two), you can make either an Antler thumb stick or a carved hiking stick. Some visitors have even managed to make two walking sticks in the time available!
See the link below for more information and to book.
27 April 2024 at 09:00:00
Willow Deer Sculpture Workshop
Join Lorraine during this two-day weekend workshop to learn how to make your very own Willow Deer or Stag to take home. This course is suitable for beginning and you will be guided step by step through the process of binding, sewing, and weaving your Deer.
See the link below to learn more and to book.
28 April 2024 at 09:00:00
Wood Carving Course
Join Ruth for the day and learn how to carve a low relief carving on local wood
4 May 2024 at 09:00:00
Intro to Pyrography
Introducing the craft of Pyrography, you will learn everything that you need to know about getting started with pyrography from Ruth Wheeler. After a demonstration and talk you will practise on small blanks and move on to a larger or more small pieces for the rest of the day.
10 May 2024 at 09:00:00
Willow Sculpture Workshop
Working with Willow is a relaxing and mindful experience, especially when undertaken at such a picturesque location. Join Lorraine for a one-day Willow Sculpture workshop and learn a simple free weaving technique to create a Willow sculpture to take home. You will have a choice on the day to make either a Goose, Duck, Hen, or Pheasant.
See the ticket link for more information and to book
11 May 2024 at 09:00:00
Mini-Wattle Hurdle
Join Paul and Lorraine for a Mini-Wattle Hurdle Workshop and learn the traditional weaving technique used to create hurdles of all sizes! We will be using Willow to make our hurdles.
The finished hurdle will be suitable for use as border edging and will be 6ft in length and up to 2ft in height.
See the link below to learn more and to book.
11 May 2024 at 09:00:00
Botanical Sphere Workshop
Firstly, you will make a Sphere/Ball using brown Willow. You will learn how to use a free weaving technique to build up the layers of the sphere, ready for planting up.
We will show you how to then create a planting pouch to insert inside the ball from a selection of seasonal plants provided.
25 May 2024 at 09:00:00
Master Class in Pyrography
We are excited to offer a new workshop for those pyrographers that have attended one of Ruth's courses or has some experience in pyrography, it is advisable to bring a design or two that you have started already so that you can jump right in and practise adding different paints and effects and maybe gold leaf to your designs, or maybe you would like to try different tips, shading and more.
25 May 2024 at 09:00:00
Mini Wattle Hurdle Workshop
Would you like to learn a heritage skill?
Join Paul and Lorraine for a Mini-Wattle Hurdle Workshop and learn the traditional weaving technique used to create hurdles of all sizes! We will be using Willow to make our hurdles.
The finished hurdle will be suitable for use as border edging and will be 6ft in length and up to 2ft in height.