FABRIC OF THE NORTH
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Zoom workshops

All our Zoom workshops are now sold out. But don't despair; scroll down to find out how you may still be able to get in!

Our workshop leaders are experienced professionals and practitioners. Their Zoom workshops are mainly intended for more experienced or ambitious tapestry weavers. For further information on a presenter, click a photo or a highlighted name to visit the presenter's website.


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Weaving Sound - SOLD OUT
A series of three Zoom workshops, led by Alastair Duncan
These workshops will be run again if there are enough takers; to register your interest, contact alastair@amcd.co.uk

Now a well known professional artist, and living in South Wales, Alastair Duncan writes of his background: "Four good years at Cleveland College of Art. Getting married. Frequent windswept walks on Redcar Beach towards British Steel (as it was at the time), I loved them! Working as Artist in Residence at The Dovecot Arts Centre in Stockton-on-Tees (now called the ARC I think)." The words used to describe sound or music - colour, texture, pattern, shape, form and rhythm - are also used to describe the tactile medium of tapestry. In these workshops, Alastair Duncan explores ways of bringing sound and weaving together.

27 October, 10:00 - Workshop 1 - What is sound and how do we perceive it?
This workshop will start with an illustrated presentation about the use of sound in tapestry weaving. Alastair will advise on some of the simplest ways to record and use sound to develop design ideas, and will demonstrate practical means of recording and presenting sound as an integral part of a visual work. Students will be asked to collect sounds and materials, consider how they might be interpreted in weavings, and post them as examples for discussion at Workshop 2.

17 November, 10:00 - Workshop 2 - Interpretation of sound through tapestry weaving
Alastair will demonstrate how sound can be 'translated' to other media and techniques, using the sounds and materials posted by participants in the previous workshop, and will offer tips on some of the issues that can arise when using different materials in weaving. In preparation for Workshop 3, participants will be asked to post images, sketches and/or photographs of woven samples showing their practical interpretation of their designs for a 'sound tapestry'.

Before the final workshop, participants may post questions on the use of materials and weaving techniques to express sound.

1 December, 10:00 - Workshop 3
Alastair will share links to resources for the use of sound as a means of developing design and integration with weaving, and will answer participants' questions.


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A Design Process - SOLD OUT 
A series of three Zoom workshops, led by Michael Crompton
These workshops will be run again if there are enough takers; to register your interest, contact marymichael@talktalk.net
​

Michael Crompton grew up in the smoke and steam of industrial Lancashire. Though his grandmother warned him off a career in the mills, he was fascinated by them, and they became his playground. Discovering the Arts and Crafts tradition as he left school, he was drawn into other ways of weaving, and is now one of Britain’s best known tapestry artists. The aim of these three workshops, which he will lead from his studio in Morecambe, is not to produce a specific tapestry design but to create a process which will lead to a philosophy of enquiring and questioning of ideas and concepts. He notes: "Enthusiasm and excitement are required from participants!"

19 October, 14:00 - Workshop 1
Starting points. The need to be an observer, a witness, a spectator and an onlooker.
Primary Experience. The natural or the manmade world.
Landscapes as interlocking shapes. Rhythms and patterns. Harmony and discord. Contrasts and divergence.
Colour, textures and forms.
Recording processes. Photography, drawing and painting. 
Collections of found materials, pebbles, etc. Printed and published  materials. 
The written word. Prose and poetry.
Colour swatches and wrappings.
Sketch books. Recording as an ongoing activity and as a means of building a vocabulary.
Stepping stones towards a textile. Moving into the unknown.
Considering a concept or idea. The start of a pathway, opportunity for further research.

9 November, 14:00 - Workshop 2
To reflect on a starting point, the concept or idea, and to view how other writers, artists and poets have tackled a similar theme. 
Furthering your ideas in the form of samplers, collages, collections.
Preparatory work and the attention to detail and careful thought. The need to record.
Consider the challenges of techniques to be used and taking the idea to the loom, to create a three dimensional textile, use of other textile techniques, textures and how to incorporate other materials. Choice of warp settings, of colour, multi thickness of yarns, control of weft yarns.
How can I introduce more colour in specific areas, the use of 'lozenge' shapes and hachure techniques?
Warping a frame and the processes of transferring  the idea onto the warp threads.

7 December, 14:00 - Workshop 3
Questions relating to the earlier sessions to be submitted. Challenges, difficulties and hitches will be tackled and solutions considered.

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Fabric of the North is at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, Teesside TS10 5NW, from 13 October 2020 to 31 April 2021. Opening hours are 10:00 - 16:00, Tuesday to Sunday. Contact: fabricofthenorth@icloud.com.
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