Led by Jo Hall

This involves painting around shapes and objects rather than painting the object itself. Very beautiful layered effects can be made in this way inspired by subjects like trees in a forest and overlapping cascades of leaves. Starting with simple shapes we will also discover ways of painting more abstract compositions in a similar way, or by using found and made masks. Watercolour is excellent for this but acrylic used as fluid washes also works well and there is no danger of lower layers lifting. Details of materials are outlined below.

Please bring your own materials and equipment: paints, brushes, palette, water pots, and suitable paper support (watercolour paper for watercolour or gouache, mixed media paper for acrylic), drawing board and wood block or table easel, paper towel. A sketchbook would be good for planning compositions and colour notes. Reference will be supplied for the first week and you will be encouraged to bring your own for later sessions. Some papers will be available at cost from the tutor.

•   3 Oct
•  10 Oct

Led by Susan Bridge

Sketchpad Transformations Part 1 is a new exciting 6 week course (3hrs each Wednesday) designed to inspire your creativity, develop ideas and open your mind to new artistic approaches.

It will be followed by Part 2 ( 6 wks) in the second part of the term when we we will continue to develop new topics.

As the course progresses we will transform a bland and empty sketchpad into a rich and creative journal through drawing and painting which will offer a range of possibilities ripe for development.

Each week we will build a new page and you will be introduced to a different media, technique or subject touching upon the work of artists who have worked on similar themes.

£160 for 6 week course

•   4 Oct
•  11 Oct
• 6 more dates...

Led by Creative Eye.

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Autumn Season

Wed 27 Sept Abstract Pouch/Case Painting
Wed 4 Oct Block Printing
Wed 11 Oct Dictionary Embroidery
Wed 18 Oct Cork Pumpkin
Wed 25 Oct Scrap Fabric Wreath
Wed 1 Nov Polymer Clay Broach
Wed 15 Nov CD Mosaic Tea-light holder
Wed 22 Nov Air Dry Glass Design
Wed 29 Nov Christmas Cards
Wed 6 Dec Christmas Gnome Hanging Ornament
Wed 13 Dec Salt Dough Ornament
Wed 20 Dec Fabric Tree Ornament

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

2pm - 3pm
£5 per session, including a cup of tea

These are blended sessions, where you can take part in person at Norden Farm or online via Zoom.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for this session please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

•   4 Oct from £5
•  11 Oct from £5
• 10 more dates...

Led by Sophie Keaveney

Do you like to crochet or knit? Join us for a relaxed and creative get together over a drink of your choice.

Suitable for those with experience of crochet / knitting.

Please bring your own project along. Some spare needles and wool will be available.

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

If you are taking part online, you will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email

Autumn
Wed 6 Sept, 4 Oct, 1 Nov, 6 Dec
7pm – 8.30pm
£6 including a drink from the bar | £3 online

•   4 Oct from £3
•   1 Nov from £3
• 1 more dates...

Led by Dawn Carroll

In this one day workshop you will learn how to make a hare in clay. A newspaper armature will be provided to get the general shape of the hare then we will look at the position of his head to the bend of the ear to bring out his character. At the end of the class there’s will be an opportunity to add slips or oxide to your piece.

Cost includes Clay, slip or oxide, use of tools and one finished piece to be earthenware fired.

Please bring an apron
A date will be arranged to collect work from Norden Farm

•   5 Oct from £75

Led by Helen D Evans

The course is for people with experience of working with clay that would like to improve their coiling technique. Allowing you to choose between making something sculptural or functional.

The intention is to spend 3 weeks making a series of pieces or alternatively make a unique piece using coils. The final week will be used to decorate your work with underglazes.

Your work will then be clear glazed & fired off-site and then ready to collect from Norden Farm.

The price includes: Clay, use of tools, Underglazes, application of a clear glaze and firing work.

All work will be fired to Earthenware.

You may want to bring with you:
- Sketchbook for ideas / with ideas
- Pens / Pencils
- A plastic bag to wrap your work in.
- A cloth to wipe your hands on
- An apron
- Any clay tools you may have

After the course.

Helen will notify you regarding the collection of your work which usually takes between 4-6 weeks.

•   6 Oct
•  13 Oct
• 1 more dates...

Led by Mick McNicholas

Learn about the stages of portraiture, drawing with charcoal from a live model.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Suitable for 18+ years

Sat 7 Oct
11am – 4pm
£34

•   7 Oct from £34

Norden Farm Markets take place on the first Saturday of every month. They are (mostly) outdoor markets, held under the Linhay barns - a nod to our history as an ancient dairy farm.

The Norden Farm Markets are unique. There's a Café Bar onsite, accessible toilets (with baby changing) and a programme of activities from cinema to classes. Stallholders sell inspiring artisanal produce ranging from arts and crafts to food and snacks.

Upcoming Autumn Market Dates:
Sat 7 Oct and Sat 4 Nov

12pm - 4pm | Entry is FREE

Upcoming Festive Market Dates: Fri 24 Nov and Sat 2 Dec

6pm - 9pm | Entry is FREE

Visiting the market is the perfect Saturday. Shop in the market for unusual, hand made, delicious items and then take in a film or recline with a coffee in our Café Bar where there are plenty of books and games to keep the little ones happy.

Dogs are very welcome, outdoors at the Norden Farm Markets and there’s always fresh water out for them.

Parking spaces are reserved for blue badge holders and the whole site is accessible.

Stallholders

Our October Stallholders:

∙ INDULGE The Collection ∙ bakedbyluz ∙ The Bearded Cow ∙ S&L Pamper ∙ Bright As A Button Jewellery ∙ But One String ∙ Kazscraftcabin ∙ Rocks and Key ∙ Pixie Tiger Art ∙ KaNa Homecooked ∙ Daise's Kitchen ∙ Happy Leaf ∙ Marmalove ∙ Butternut Box ∙ Eclipse ∙ Luumi home ltd ∙ Happy Post Crafts ∙ Rapture ∙ RLDT Studio ∙ Rhian Winslade Ceramics ∙ Tamsin Denholm Jewellery ∙ OPTALIS - Community Lives

We are pleased to share that all stalls have been allocated for both our Autumn Markets and our Festive Markets, however if you would like to join our waitlist please complete our online application form and we will be in touch if a stall becomes available .

We have 2 types of pitches available - covered areas under the Linhay (stallholders provide their own trestle tables) and Gazebo pitches. You can drive right up to you pitch on hard standing - so the set up and take down is blissfully simple and doesn’t require lugging!

Quotes

★'Thank you for having our stall today, had a fab day, met some fab people, great first day back, can't wait for the next one, from all of us at ReRe's Soaps & Scents'

★'It was lovely. I'll be back next time. Thank you for organising Norden Farm!'

★'Absolutely amazing afternoon at @nordenfarm! Thanks to all who came to support us. Looking forward to the next one. #maidenhead #localmarket #supportlocal'

★'My daughter and I really enjoyed the Norden Farm Outdoor Market yesterday, exploring the various food and craft stalls on offer and taking home one or two tasty treats. It was a fantastic chance to support some great local businesses from around Maidenhead. The Norden Farm cafe was also open to enjoy. I would definitely recommend popping down next time if you can make it'

★'Setting up for today’s Jubilee market at @nordenfarm. Fantastic atmosphere, thanks to all for organising and attending. The music was fab and we all had a great time!'

•   7 Oct FREE
•   4 Nov FREE
• 2 more dates...

WEA Maidenhead Branch / Oxford University Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE).

Sandra Smith examines the way historical events and myths have inspired artists, both in the ancient world and up to the modern day.

Programme
10.15am History and myth in the art of the ancient world
11.40am History and myth - the art of the Renaissance and Baroque
1.40pm History and myth - the 19th and early 20th Centuries
3pm History and myth - art of today

Sandra Smith has a MA in Art History and has taught for the University of Oxford and WEA.

Please contact Steph Diggon weamhead@gmail.com or Tel: 01628 563676 for reading list and powerpoint presentation.

Live stream from the Courtyard Theatre | £40 per household

WEA website
@WEAadulted
OUDCE website
@OxfordConted
@nordenfarm

•   9 Oct from £40

Led by Salina Gatto

Brush lettering is a modern form of calligraphy that can be practiced everyday and even on the go. Just put a brush in your bag and you’re all set.

It is not only a way to make beautiful notes for people to make them feel good but a great way to practice mindfulness.

In the 2 hours you have together, you will be tackling exercises of the basic forms of brush calligraphy while being able to add your own personal flairs once you establish the basics.

You will get to take home a pumpkin that you have decorated using the lettering techniques from the class.

Salina is Looking forward to lettering with you all.

•  10 Oct from £55
•  31 Oct from £55

Led by Jo Hall

Paint a picture on black paper in white gouache and/or watercolour metallic andor interference colours. Good subjects include a moth or an iridescent insect, iridescent fish or translucent water creatures like plankton and shrimp. You may work from your own reference or from photo-reference supplied. Some beautiful black Stonehenge watercolour paper will be supplied at cost from the tutor.

Please bring your own paints and equipment as outlined below.

Titanium white gouache andor metallic/iridescent watercolours,
A pale pastel pencil (white or pale grey/blue.
Watercolour brushes, palette,
Small block of wood and drawing board or table easel, water pots, paper towel
Own black paper if preferred

•  14 Oct from £42

Led by Amanda Schenk

Amanda Schenk is the visual artist behind Norden Farm's much-loved (and Instagrammed) glass corridor artwork in the school holidays. Join Amanda for this new drawing course, aimed at helping to create a sense of calm and relaxation through drawing patterns.

Suitable for all abilities, the workshops will focus on building confidence in your drawing abilities - concentrating on the soothing journey of the drawing experience, rather than the finished drawing.

In each session you'll explore how to produce different types of patterns in abstract drawings - looking at different designs each week.

You will need: paper (plain, no smaller than A5), lead pencil, eraser, sharpener, black fine liner or a pen. Optional is a black marker.

Autumn
18 Sept, 16 Oct, 13 Nov, 4 Dec
7.30pm - 8.45pm (online only)
£8 per class | £28 per 4 week course
Suitable for ages 18+ years

•  16 Oct from £0
•  13 Nov from £0
• 1 more dates...

We are delighted to present the fourth Maidenhead Schools: Art, Design and Photography Exhibition showcasing the work made by the students from Maidenhead schools.

The exhibition will show a wealth of talent in a range of mediums including paint, textiles and digital media. The exhibition aims to unite Maidenhead schools and colleges by celebrating the creativity and talent of our local students.

Current artwork will include work by students from Altwood CofE School, Berkshire College for Agriculture (BCA) and Newlands Girls’ School. To register your schools' interest in our 2023 exhibition, please contact Amelia at amelia.wall@nordenfarm.org

This exhibition is part of Farm Out, the flagship Norden Farm Arts Programme for schools funded by the Spoore, Merry and Rixman Foundation.

Prizes kindly donated by Colart.

Artwork Credit: Ellie Watson, BCA

Tues 17 Oct - Sat 4 Nov 5pm - 10pm

Free Entry

•  17 Oct FREE
•  18 Oct FREE
• 13 more dates...

Led by Fiona Dowling

Have you ever wanted to make your own silver jewellery from Sea Glass or Pottery? Join Fiona from Jewellery Moves for a day of making, learning and creativity. At this workshop you will learn how to saw, solder, file, hammer, hand-stamp and finish your own sterling silver jewellery. You will also learn how to make your own bezel setting and set pieces of sea glass or pottery within a ring and/or pendant.

About Jewellery Moves:
Taught by Fiona Dowling, a graduate of the Royal College of Art, Jewellery Moves workshops aim to teach traditional craftsmanship, jewellery skills and techniques in small groups with a relaxed atmosphere.

Materials:
The cost of the silver is not included in the course fees. The approximate cost of these materials is £40/£50 and payable to the tutor on the day. You are welcome to bring your own Sea Glass or Sea Pottery but please note not all pieces will be suitable to set.

•  19 Oct from £80

Led by Berkshire Printmakers

Using the techniques first developed by the Impressionist and Pontilliist artists in the 1880's. During the workshop you will learn how to create an image by over printing layers of translucent inks to make optical colour mixes to create a complex multilayered print to take home.

For beginners and Improvers - No printmaking experience necessary as Berkshire Printmakers will take you step by step: how to create paper stencils, make the inks, and get to grips with a squeegee to create your own print using the CKMY colours.. Everything is provided during the class from 30 plain and patterned screen, waterbased inks to good qaulity paper, as well as two experienced printmakers.

Dress for mess and bring a A3 envelop/portfolio to take your prints home

•  21 Oct from £45

Led by Jo Hall

Be inspired by the colder months to work with a limited palette to create winter river and garden paintings. Use watercolour, gouache or pastel to paint icy riverbanks and frosted trees and plants spangled with bright berries. Take in the difference of reflections seen in water and ice and the effects of “broken” water.

Bring your own paints, paper and equipment. For gouache and pastel, coloured papers would be a good choice, preferable 300gsm for gouache. Equipment to include drawing board and a block of wood or table easel, water pots, clips or paper tape to attach paper, sketchbook for composition sketches. Reference will be supplied or bring your own and some paper will be available at cost from the tutor.

24th Oct – 28th Nov (6 weeks)

•  24 Oct from £126
•  31 Oct
• 4 more dates...

Led by Helen D Evans

This workshop is for all abilities.

During the workshop you will use slab building techniques to make either a platter or a series of platters - perfect for entertaining guests.

After the course. Your work will transported off site to be bisque fired and a clear glaze
applied before being re-fired.

We will arrange a date after the course for collection of work from Norden Farm which usually takes between 4-6 weeks.

Work will be fired to Earthenware.

Cost includes clay, use of materials and x 2 firings and application of a clear glaze.

The class will run from 11-4pm. A break(s) will be negotiated at the start of the workshop.

Please bring with you: an Apron
any Pottery tools you may have
Sketchbook for ideas / with ideas
Pens / Pencils

•  28 Oct from £70

Led by Dawn Carroll

On this one day workshop we will be sculpting a head in clay using a newspaper armature. While observing the proportions of the head we will capture character and expression in your very own fictional character. A selection of references will be available or bring your own. At the end of the class there’s will be an opportunity to add slips or oxide to your piece.

Cost includes Clay, slip or oxide, use of tools and one finished piece to be earthenware fired.

Please bring an Apron.
Sketchbook/notebook & pencil
Any old newspapers
A date will be arranged to collect work from Norden Farm

•   2 Nov from £75

Led by Berkshire Printmakers

Print your own unique greetings card with Berkshire Printmakers. This day long workshop is for those with a little or no experience. During the workshop you will learn how to make stencils, or use our precut images, combine these with our large library of plain and patterned screens and get to grips with a squeegee. We will crack open the metallic inks to make your cards sparkle. Dress for mess and bring a folder or portfolio to take home your prints

Included 5 number square greetings cards (13.5x 13.5cm ) and/or on plain A4 card so you can make up your bespoke cards at home.. please feel free to bring more blank cards from home.

Dress for mess and bring an A4 to take your prints home in.

Sat 4 Nov
11.30am - 4.30pm
£95

•   4 Nov from £95

Led by Helen D Evans

The course is for people with all abilities.

The intention is to spend 2 weeks making a selection of seasonal decorations for yourself or as gifts.

The final week will be spent decorating your work with underglazes or glazes.

Your work will then fired off-site and then ready to collect from Norden Farm.

The price includes: Clay, use of tools, Underglazes, a selection glazes and firing of work.

All work will be fired to Earthenware.

You may want to bring with you:
Sketchbook for ideas / with ideas
Pens / Pencils
A cloth to wipe your hands on
An apron
Any clay tools you may have, pastry cutters or textured rollers to impress into the clay.

After the course.
Helen will notify you regarding the collection of your work which usually takes between 4-6 weeks.

•  10 Nov from £80
•  17 Nov
• 1 more dates...

Led by Jo Hall

Paint a small concertina card or book in acrylic and acrylic paint pens, and make an origami closure band. This is an excellent way to experiment with a panoramic composition. We’ll cut and fold the book then choose a limited palette of colours and shapes to provide interest and also continuity from page to page. These make delightful Christmas gifts or unique cards. You may choose to work in a representational way or in a more abstract way with repeated shapes and patterns as in the sample illustrated. Further info on materials and equipment are outlined below.

A selection of paint pens will be available for use at the session and paper will be available at cost from the tutor. Please bring your own acrylic paints, palettes and water pots and some small and medium sized brushes, paper towel, scissors, and a pencil. We will prepare the books from 140gsm A3 cartridge paper which will can be cut and folded in a couple of different formats yielding e.g. a 5 fold card about 7 x 7cm or a 7 fold booklet about 7.5 x 5.3cm. Larger formats would require heavier paper and you may consider using 150gsm khadi paper. The book illustrated has 7 folds (8 pages) and is very small: 6.8 x 3.3cm!

•  11 Nov from £42

Led by Mick McNicholas

Explore the complexities of the human form by working from a professional life model. With a variety of short and long poses. Learn both traditional charcoal drawing methods and new experimental techniques.

Half day sessions comprise of a variety of short and long poses.

Any mediums can be used in these sessions. Materials will be provided, although participants are very welcome to bring their own if you have something you like to work with.

Autumn
18 Nov & 23 Dec
11am - 2pm
£25 per session

Suitable for 18+ years

•  18 Nov from £25
•  23 Dec from £25

Led by Fiona Dowling

Have you ever wanted to learn how to bond 24ct gold foil with silver to create unique pieces of jewellery. Join Fiona from Jewellery Moves for a day of making, learning and creativity. At this workshop you will be introduced to the Ancient Korean technique of Keum-Boo. You will saw, solder, file, hammer, hand-stamp, texture and add 24ct gold leaf to create a beautiful pendant and pair of earrings.

About Jewellery Moves:
Taught by Fiona Dowling, a graduate of the Royal College of Art, Jewellery Moves workshops aim to teach traditional craftsmanship, jewellery skills and techniques in small groups with a relaxed atmosphere.

Materials:
The cost of the silver and gold leaf are not included in the course fees. The approximate cost of these materials is £40-£50 payable to the tutor on the day.

•  23 Nov from £80

Led by Louise Temple

Learn how to create a beautiful and unique handmade festive door wreath using fresh foliages year after year. Handpick from a vast array of materials to decorate and make an individual Christmas design for your door or table centre.

Fri 24 Nov & Fri 1 Dec 7pm - 9pm

Sat 25 Nov 2pm - 4pm

£40
Plus £20 for materials payable on the day to the tutor

•  24 Nov from £40
•  25 Nov from £40
• 1 more dates...

Led by Dawn Carroll

In this one day workshop you will learning how to make and transfer a mono print onto clay. The first half of the session will be making two terracotta vases and second part will be drawing and transferring your images onto the vases.

Price will include materials and the use of tools, plus the firing of vases.
Work to be collected at a later date once fired.

Please bring along
Apron
Simple designs ideas (there will be designs ideas available)

•  30 Nov from £65

Led by Dawn Carroll

Make a set of fun pinch pots. Over the three weeks you will learn how to make a pinch to create animals, monsters or simply decorate. The first couple of week will be making with the final week glazing.

Cost includes Clay, glazes, use of tools and pieces fired.

Please bring an apron

A date will be arranged to collect work from Norden Farm

£110 for a 3 week course

•   1 Dec from £110
•   8 Dec
• 1 more dates...

Led by Same Sky.

Across a full day, work as a group as Paul from Same Sky guides you to create a large-scale willow structure. These huge centre pieces will shine bright in the parade on Saturday 10 December!

Ages 17+ years.
10.30am - 4pm
£17.50 per person

Find out about our Family Lantern Making Workshops and Drop In Workshops at the Nicholsons Centre and Maidenhead Library.

See more details about the Lantern Parade here.

•   2 Dec from £10
•   2 Dec from £10

Led by Jo Hall

A waterfall in full flood is one of the most exciting things to paint. We will learn to paint brush strokes that really go with the flow of rushing water. To make the waterfall convincing involves understanding the supporting landscape, light, and especially the tonal contrasts. We will look at how this has been achieved by American and European artists before painting our own pictures. Photographic reference will be supplied or bring your own. Please bring your own materials as outlined below.

Acrylic paints, acrylic medium (not essential), and brushes andor painting knife, mixed media paper or canvas about A3 size or larger if you like to work with large brushes, palette, water pots, stick of charcoal, table easel, paper towel, if using paper this should be attached to a board and taped all the way round with masking tape, spare papersketchbook to work out composition and colours.

•   9 Dec from £42

Led by Salina Gatto

Brush lettering is a modern form of calligraphy that can be practiced everyday and even on the go. Just put a brush in your bag and you’re all set.

It is not only a way to make beautiful notes for people to make them feel good but a great way to practice mindfulness.

In the 2 hours you have together, you will be tackling exercises of the basic forms of brush calligraphy while being able to add your own personal flairs once you establish the basics.

You will get to take home present tags that you have personalised and decorated using the lettering techniques from the class.

Salina is Looking forward to lettering with you all.

•  12 Dec from £55

Led by Berkshire Printmakers

Get ready for the big day and create your own unique Christmas stocking to take home.. In this fun workshop you will print and decorate your own design using bright seasonal and metallic inks to bling the stocking ready to be hung up on the BIG day. Get to grips with a squeegee and create paper stencils to learn a new art technique. Dress for mess

•  16 Dec from £35

Led by Berkshire Printmakers

Get ready for the big day and create your own unique Christmas stocking to take home.. In this fun workshop you will print and decorate your own design using bright seasonal and metallic inks to bling the stocking ready to be hung up on the BIG day. Get to grips with a squeegee and create paper stencils to learn a new art technique. Dress for mess

Suitable for 8-14 years

•  16 Dec from £35