Darkness empowers even the faintest light.

With this show of works in oil, I would like to celebrate light; light as hope and life; the relevance of light within darkness.

Using the inspiration of 17th century artists such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt as a starting point, I will present a series of contemporary figurative paintings, each a visual ode to the manifestation of light, and beautiful mystery in what often seems a dark and desolate world.

•   2 Mar FREE
•   3 Mar FREE
• 16 more dates...

Led by Kayleigh Robinson.

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.

Wed 15 Feb Cloud Decorations
Wed 22 Feb Mini Scented Cushions
Wed 1 Mar Button Bowl
Wed 8 Mar Watercolour
Wed 15 Mar Book Folding Art
Wed 22 Mar Decoupage
Wed 29 Mar Puzzle Piece Art
Wed 5 Apr Easter Egg Decorating
Wed 12 Apr Miniature Garden
Wed 19 Apr Collage
Wed 26 Apr Ceramic Plates

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

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

Spring
Wed 11 Jan - 26 Apr (exc 8 Feb)
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.

•  15 Feb from £5
•  22 Feb from £5
• 9 more dates...

Join us in half term for crafts inspired by our family shows. The crafts vary so you can create something new at each session.

Tues 14 Feb | 3.30pm
Design and create an articulated woodland character - inspired by the puppets in our family show Breathe. Use collage and coloured pencils to create your own little character to hang in your window.

Wed 15 Feb | 3.30pm
Create an acorn sun catcher using tissue paper, inspired by the little acorn puppet in our half term show Breathe!

Fri 17 Feb | 3.30pm
Make and decorate your own music shaker! Choose from a selection of noisy options such as beads and rice to create your very own sound! Why not bring to shake away at our half term show Concertini?

The below sessions are part of Quest Family Fest 2023. Join us to navigate your way through 2 weeks of creative adventures.

Tues 4 Apr | 1.15pm
Make and decorate fish mobiles.

Wed 5 Apr | 1.15pm
Under the sea themed print making.

Thur 6 Apr | 1.15pm
Decorate an under the sea scene using tissue paper and glue.

Tues 11 Apr | 1.15pm
Make a fish sun catcher with willow.

Wed 12 Apr | 1.15pm
Create dangling jellyfish friends.

Thur 13 Apr | 1.15pm
Air dry clay octopus.

Fri 14 Apr | 1.15pm
Shaving foam marbling sea creatures.

£5 per person
Suitable for ages 3 - 8 years
All materials provided. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

•  14 Feb from £5
•  15 Feb from £5
• 8 more dates...

Led by Helen Ridley

Every two weeks on Thursday from 11am - 2pm you will join local artist Helen Ridley to explore your inner artist.

Helen will demonstrate a range of techniques and materials, from watercolour and gouache to pencils and pastels.

Each session will explore a different theme with a range of references to choose from, giving you the opportunity to explore and experiment.

The Studio is open to all abilities and you will need to bring your own materials, please see details listed below:

Materials
● Watercolour paints
● Watercolour brushes
● Gouache paints
● Coloured pencils
● Coloured Pastels
● Watercolour paper
● Sketchbook to plan compositions and colour palettes

Mixed media paper will be available

The Studio Art Club runs from Thur 8 Sept every 2 weeks on the dates below.

Spring
Thur 19 Jan, 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 27 Apr
11am - 2pm
£28 per session | £184 per 8 week term

•  16 Feb from £28
•   2 Mar from £28
• 4 more dates...

Led by Jo Hall

Choosing a different coloured paper for each session we explore how paper colour can be exploited as part of the composition. Within this we will look at line, tone, form, mark making, texture and pattern using a variety of drawing media. Initially working from still life objects, the first week from natural forms e.g. a sea shell or fruit, later in the course there will be an opportunity to draw a landscape in colour or make a portrait study using the three-crayon technique.

Some objects will be supplied for the first session or bring a natural form you would like to draw.

Please bring your own materials and scroll down for detailed info on what you will need.

Some papers will be available from the tutor at cost.

Tues 28 Feb - 4 Apr
12.30pm - 3.30pm

£120 per 6-week course

Suitable for 18+ years

Materials Info

We will experiment with coloured pastel papers and some smoother coloured drawing papers suitable for other drawing media. A small sample pack of papers for the first session (cost about £2.00) will be available from the tutor for the first session. Other coloured papers will also be available at cost.

Please bring: drawing board and clips or tape to hold your paper, putty eraser, plastic eraser, paper towel, spray fixative for chalky media (to be used outside only), craft knife or pencil sharpener, small piece of sandpaper, water pots if using pen and ink (plus brush for brush drawing with ink)

Drawing media: you will only need black and white for the first week

Choose from the following suggestions;

Dry media: charcoal and white chalk pastel, pastel pencil, conté crayon in black white and sanguine, any coloured pencil, or graphite pencil or block

Wet media: e.g. pen/stick/brush and ink, paint pen, black fine liner and brush pens

It would be good to have something from each list above. The different kinds of drawing media will be discussed at the first session. Don’t bring large tins and boxes of colour as we will be working in an almost monochrome way first of all gradually introducing more colour in the following weeks.

•  28 Feb from £120
•   7 Mar
• 4 more dates...

Led by Helen D Evans

This course is suitable for all abilities.

During the course we will explore the different basic forms that you can make using slabs of clay including using templates and applying texture.

You will also be given time to experiment with your own designs and ideas.

A selection of underglazes and glazes will be available to you to apply colour to your work.

Work will be fired to Earthenware.

Fri 17 Mar - 21 Apr, exc 7 Apr
11am - 1pm

£115 per 5-week course

Suitable for 18+ years

Please bring with you:
An apron
Any Pottery tools you may have
Sketchbook for ideas / with ideas
Pens / Pencils
Scalpel / cutting mat

After the course.
We will arrange a date after the course for collection of work from Norden Farm

•  17 Mar from £115
•  24 Mar
• 3 more dates...