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June 2020
Sing Amongst the Stones!
Join vocal leader and author James Sills for a sing around the stones! He will teach a variety of beautiful harmony songs from all around the world, culminating in informal performances in various spots around the garden. No previous singing experience necessary - James will teach everything by ear with an emphasis on fun and inclusivity. Meet James in the Potting Shed field at 11.30 or 2.30 James has also been attracting hundreds of online singers to his sessions on The…
Find out more »Francesca Shakespeare, Painting workshop
We are confident that this workshop will go ahead, following social distancing guidelines, and with participants bringing their own materials. Email francesca@francescashakespeare.com to book. Please note there will not be sculpture in the garden. This workshop will be based on Francesca’s teaching method for ‘on the spot’ painting: the three Ss: Select, Simplify, Structure SELECT- the day will start with a wander around the exhibition and gardens doing fast thumbnails sketches, taking photos and just looking and absorbing. SIMPLIFY– we will then…
Find out more »Letter Carving workshop for beginners
A one-day workshop exploring the art of stone lettering given by prizewinning Oxford-based stone carver Alex Wenham. Alex will offer guidance in advance of the event to prepare your text template of a small inscription of your own devising (aim for around 12-20 good sized letters), and on the day will coach you through the basics of letter cutting technique to create your own inscription in slate or limestone. Materials and tools provided. Booking details to follow
Find out more »Oxfordshire Association for the Blind – 2nd Charity of the week
Our second charity of the week was to be devoted to Oxfordshire Association for the Blind, a life-enhancing charity supporting children and adults who are blind or partially sighted throughout Oxfordshire. They are committed to promoting independence and opportunity and offer information, advice and support to those affected, their families and carers. A group from OAB visited on form in 2018, and this year we had plans for some members to teach sighted people about the experience of seeing through touch. We particularly wanted…
Find out more »Looking, touching, dreaming…..a creative writing workshop inspired by stone and sculpture.
This workshop is led by garden poet Rebecca Hubbard, an experienced creative writing tutor and a published poet, with a passion for words, nature and art. Find out more about Rebecca's writing and teaching here. Writers will touch, observe and imagine, using a day at on form to generate ideas, poems and stories inspired by stone, sculptural forms and the way these relate to the land. There will be plenty of time to explore the garden and the exhibition, and a quiet indoor…
Find out more »Satish Kumar – Love Revolution
This talk will not be taking place, but Satish will be talking about a "Love Revolution" on zoom on 27 May. More details and booking here. Satish has also written an article on his thoughts about the Coronavirus pandemic From Monologue to Dialogue. And we thoroughly recommend Resurgence Voices, an inspiring podcast with reflections on subjects ranging from storytelling to meadows to - well, love, of course. Satish Kumar is a former monk and lifelong peace and environmental activist, who has been…
Find out more »Carving Workshop with Jason Mulligan & Guy Stevens
A one day workshop exploring the process of direct stone carving. Guy Stevens MRBS & Jason Mulligan MRBS will teach you an approach used within their own practice, whereby the choice of stone block, the use of hammer and chisel and the free carving approach dictate the final form, rather than working to a model. This workshop is for 16+ years. Booking details to follow.
Find out more »Pea Shoot Picnic
Plant-based picnic at Asthall Manor Join Pea Shoot Feasts in celebrating the bounties of summer with an evening plant-based picnic amongst the sculpture at Asthall Manor. Recline under the roses and enjoy an al fresco banquet of seasonal sweet and savoury delights created from local produce, including fresh fruit and vegetables grown and foraged at Asthall. Expect an evening of warm relaxation and reconnection to nature, surrounded by meditative stone forms and spectacular plants. Pea Shoot's head chef Dora creates…
Find out more »July 2020
AT The Bus – 3rd Charity of the week
During Week 3 AT The Bus was to be in residence. This is a new charity, offering a school-based programme of art as therapy to support the education, health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 7-18 in Oxfordshire. This therapy will take place in a purposely designed therapeutic studio space in a double-decker bus. While the charity waits for a bus to be refitted, its professionals have been working in a temporary studio space in the grounds of the…
Find out more »Those Mitford Girls – A Talk by Rebecca Mordan from Scary Little Girls
Join raconteuse Rebecca Mordan for this talk about the most remarkable and diverse set of sisters ever to come out of modern British aristocracy. Using their own letters and writing, along with the anecdotes she has collated over years of work on the family in their childhood home, Rebecca brings each of the six sisters vividly to life. Learn about Unity and Diana who idolised Hitler and Mosley; Jessica the card-carrying communist, muckraker and black rights campaigner; Nancy the bohemian…
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