To kick off the Lumbungsden Taster Programme as part of MyVillages Rural School of Economics we hosted 6 weekends of free workshops in the Community Making Space at SSW. This programme of introductory making sessions was created from the suggestions and requests by local residents and featured workshops and activities ranging from knitting circles to sign writing all led by local artists and creatives.
This programme enabled us to better understand some of the activities that local participants were interested in learning and started a series of new relationships with our neighbours. We are now reflecting on the programme and feedback from this in order to develop the next phase of work that will take place in the space supported by our new Community Arts Organiser Mara Marxt Lewis. We would like to thank all the workshop leaders and participants who took part each week with enthusiasm and attention.
Taster programme events archive
Traditional Straw Work with Elaine Lindsay (Something Corny)
Local artisan Elaine Lindsay from “Something Corny” ran a straw working workshop. Where participants discovered the story of this ancient craft, and using a variety of techniques they made items made from straw to take home.
Clay Play with Matthew Wilcock
We invited people to explore our new ceramics studio and have a go at some ceramics techniques. Over two workshops we invited participants to decorate tiles to take home and to become part of the community making space and to make their own pinch pots.
Knitting & Crochet Circle with Lumsden School
In this workshop, you’ll be led through the process of drawing, laying out and painting decorative letters. All the while learning about the history of sign-writing and getting some tips on how to make good signage. Each participant will draw and paint their own letter to take home. z
A drop in knitting and crochet circle facilitated by Lumsden school. All participants were provided with a free knitting starter pack to use and take home and beginners were supported throughout the session.
Basket Making with Willow with Westfield Croft (Frank Richards)
Participants learnt how to make a beautiful bird feeder out of willow in this half day workshop. Willow is a renewable resource and grows readily in the Scottish landscape. The bird feeder, woven from locally coppiced willow, contains no plastics and can eventually be composted.
Introduction to Traditional Sign writing with Owen Bushell
In this workshop, participants were led through the process of drawing, laying out and painting decorative letters. All the while learning about the history of sign-writing and getting some tips on how to make good signage. Each participant painted their own letter to take home.
Monthly fly cup cafe and what next…
After our taster programme, we’re hosted our regular coffee morning where you could drop by for a chat, tea and cake with the community. We reflected on the first taster programme and you let us know about what you want to make happen next.
All photos below by Sam Trotman.
