Would you like to learn a craft skill?

Welcome to 2013, a year where Craft Aotearoa will focus its activities on highlighting the range and complexity of craft skills needed to make craft objects, whether of traditional, functional, or contemporary design. We especially want to highlight the range of informal and formal learning opportunities available in New Zealand and invite you to share details of any upcoming workshops, courses, and classes with us via email (jenna-lea.philpott@craftaotearoa.org.nz) and/or direct to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CraftAotearoa
Below are details of current and upcoming glass, printmaking, pottery and jewellery workshops but first, a reminder for those interested in teaching a craft workshop at HANDMADE 2013.

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

HANDMADE 2013 will be returning to Wellington on 1 & 2 June 2013 and online submissions are now being taken for class suggestions. If you would like to teach your craftsmanship skills in a workshop format then contact the organisers.  Applications close on Wednesday 23rd January. HANDMADE 2013 is a festival celebrating beautiful and creative things made by hand.It is the place for people who want to learn the skills and crafts of previous generations but in today's context, using modern technology and style. The 2013 programme will feature a huge range of activities across a variety of craft disciplines. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from expert and passionate teachers in a workshop environment and to make a beautiful, finished object with their own hands. In addition, throught the weekend there will be Masterclass demonstrations available.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

January has already seen a number of craft workshops launched in various regions. 

The Wanganui School of Glass launched two different five day glass workshops taught by Gary Nash and Kathryn Wightman.

And in patnership with the New Zealand Print Council, a five day printmaking workshop was also taught this summer.

If you would like to find out about any other workshop opportunities or go on the mailing list directly then register your interest with the Wanganui Glass School at www.wanganuiglassschool.com








Hamilton has also had a creative start to the year with the launch of the [Get] CREATIVE: Art, Design and Tech Workshops. Described as 'a new project where we throw a whole heap of fun workshops together to give you something fun and creative to do with your summer' there programme included a range of craft workshops on offer such as Stencil making and Screenprinting taught by Holly Russell, Beyond Crochet taught by Alison Gray (using non-traditional fibres to experiment with basic crochet to create sculptural forms) and Exploring Glass Casting taught by Di Tocker where participants will explore clay as a modelling material for glass casting. http://getcreative2013.co.nz/




Coming up are workshops in printmaking, jewellery, woodmaking and the business of art.

Nga Rakau a Tu by Alexis Neal.

New Zealand Printmakers have announced that Artsight are offering a Multi-Layered Print Workshop (relief, intaglio and monoprint) on 26-27 January, 10am-4pm at Artsight's Auckland Studio (5a Flower St, Eden Terrace). It will be taught by Alexis Neal and is limited to 10 places at a cost $295 each.This two day workshop is designed to develop new technical skills in the medium of print
from a traditional understanding to a contemporary art practice. It is an opportunity for students to work through a number of ideas and conceptual frame works to create their own artist language within this medium. Students will explore multi layered printing from relief surfaces and dry point using plexi plate, stencil cutting and other techniques to enhance their work.The studio day will be broken down by demonstrations in the morning to print preparation and followed by good experimentation working towards a good understanding of the print processes and to achieve a strong body of prints.

Another workshop, The Business of Art, will take place on 2-3 February at the same venue. Sandy Rodgers will teach the basic business skills necessary for a person to continue on to the next step of creating or growing their income through their art practice. The purpose is to get artists using their creative skills and know how to see and understand business practice in a simple, professional and positive way. The workshop is aimed at a range of people from art school graduates, emerging artists, crafts people, hobby painters and more! The workshop will cover goal setting, networking and relationships, research, marketing and promotion, project and action planning, money matters, funding, sponsorship and presentation. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the business side of the art world.

For more information and to register your interest see Artsight's website: www.artsight.co.nz/artist-workshops-auckland.html


Jewellery courses tend to me more frequent with privately run courses available throughout the year. Here are a couple of examples in Wellington.

Vilders Contemporary Jewellery Gallery regularly offer six week jewellery courses (morning and evening) and occasional single day classes. Students learn to make a variety of items including rings, brooches, earrings, and pendants - a great opportunity to make your own wedding rings. All students start with making a simple silver ring. Six week courses cost $270, and materials are supplied during the course at reasonable prices. Contact Dorthe Kristensen for further information.

Workspace Studios Ltd offer a wide range of jewellery classes across all levels and have a handy online calendar showing their regular classes on Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For example, coming up on 11 February is the next Beginners Silver Jewellery Class taught by Amelia Pascoe. Each class is three hours and runs on Monday evenings for eight weeks. The total cost of eight classes is $360. In this course, beginners will produce a sterling silver ring set with the stone of their choice. Skills learnt include soldering, filing, sanding, texturing, hammering and stone setting techniques as well as proper tool use and care, health and safety and basic design principles. Advanced jewellery classes cover additional techniques including chainmaking and riveting and participants will have the opportunity to develop their own projects and shown how to experiment with new techniques.

Workspace Studios also offers couples wedding ring making, after school classes, weekend workshops, and bench hire. Further information is available at workspacestudios@gmail.com 

The Centre for Fine Woodworking in Nelson has established itself as New Zealand's pre-eminent destination for learning about all things wood.  There are a range of short courses available in 2013 such as the Beginner's Cabinet Making 1, 2 and 3 courses as well as Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar making courses. 

Establishing a solid skill base for all aspiring woodworkers and provide the foundation skills for fine woodworking are the aims of these short courses. Skills taught include the tuning and sharpening of basic hand-tools and the basics of accurate timber preparation, setting out and cutting a number of basic woodworking joints and assembly. 

Further information about all upcoming courses is available at www.cfw.co.nz

Upcoming Event

Via Craft Aotearoa's Facebook page, we have become aware of the upcoming Festival of Pots & Garden Art. From 12 - 20 January  this Otaki Pottery Club Fundraiser will take place at the Trinity Farm Rose Garden, 202 Waitohu Valley Road , Otaki. 
  
Clay artist Michelle Retimana says "I will be supporting my Pottery Club in this festival with my garden sculptures, and my husband may also display his very large wood, glass and recycled metal sculptures - these are fabulous garden features standing 2-3 metres tall. The beautiful Rose gardens are the perfect setting to display the wonderful assortment of pottery and Garden Art submitted by not only the Otaki Pottery Club members but also other artists. The 'barn' is a great 'gallery space' to display finer sculptures and domestic ware. There will also be continuous demonstrations throughout the day."

More information at www.kapitipots.co.nz


Craft Aotearoa hopes this blog will reach those interested in learning a craft skill, perhaps for the first time, as well as those wishing to extend their knowedge and skills. And if you would like to share your learning experience please feel free to post a comment or get in touch with us!