Craft Focus - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 77)

14 Dartington Hal l Trust launches British craft courses Dartington Hall Trust has announced a new range of British craft courses for 2020, with subjects as diverse as furniture making, upholstery and painting. Tutors will include landscape artist Antony Garratt, furniture maker Peter Lanyon and artisan maker Leigh-Anne Treadwell. There are courses for all ability levels ranging from one-day events to week-long learning experiences. “These courses are extraordinary learning experiences where you can learn to make beautiful contemporary objects that are rooted in traditional craft skills,” says Lou Rainbow, head of Crafted at Dartington. “Our new courses range from furniture, textiles, ceramics and artworks, all taught by our growing network of makers from across the British Isles.” The season kicks off on 26th February with Frost and Fire: Experimental Landscape Painting, taught by Anthony Garratt, who is also known for his large-scale public painting installations. The four-day event will show students how to apply contemporary techniques using acrylic and water-based oil paints. Other highlights will include a traditional upholstery masterclass from The Bristol Upholstery Collective, which takes place from 4th- 8th March. The course covers sustainability, craft economy, new materialism, heritage skills and values. Students will learn how to upholster furniture, including traditional tools, techniques and a range of natural materials. Find out more at dartington.org SEARCH PRESS TO DISTRIBUTE DAVID & CHARLES BOOKS Search Press has become the exclusive wholesaler for David & Charles titles in the UK. Books will be distributed from the Search Press warehouse and sold through its network of agents. David & Charles’ sales and distribution to the book trade and international customers through GBS will be unaffected by the change. “We’re excited to be working with the Search Press team and representatives to benefit from their fantastic reach into the independent art and craft trade,” says Bel Youldon, commercial director at David & Charles. “We look forward to supporting them in the sales to existing accounts that know our books well, as well as new customers to David & Charles.” Martin de la Bedovere, managing director of Search Press adds: “We’re delighted to have an exclusive relationship to sell David & Charles books to the independent art and craft trade. One in every three craft titles purchased in the UK is now available through Search Press distribution and there is no better place to source the UK’s leading art and craft books.” The two companies will be taking a combined stand at CHSI Stitches from 2020. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Search Press. The publisher has a variety of initiatives planned to celebrate its birthday, including free downloads of popular craft books at searchpress.com West Dean College unveils summer school courses West Dean College of Arts and Conservation has revealed its summer school programme for 2020. Between 24 th July and 13 th August there will be 27 week-long courses ranging from painting and photography to textiles, sculpture and blacksmithing, led by expert tutors from the UK and further afield. Highlights will include jewellery making with Sarah Macrae, who will encourage students to incorporate materials like exotic hardwood and shells into their creations. Jon Edgar will explore structural themes, offering an opportunity to use clay, wire, wax, wood and carved blocks, while Paula Haughney will teach stone carving, allowing participants to create a sculpture inspired by the West Dean landscape. For those with more experience, George Popesco will take advantage of the school’s proximity to the sea to guide students through the coastal landscape painting process, while Christine Forbes will look at watercolour, drawing inspiration from the school’s gardens. Alice Fox will teach mixed media art textiles, showing visitors how to open their eyes and find potential in the ordinary, while Steve Humble will explain how to explore the processes of abstraction. Full course details can be found at westdean.ac.uk