Visit Charleston, the home of Bloomsbury group
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
wander the gardens, as recently featured in
The Secret History of the British Garden on BBC2.
The House and Garden will be open from 23
March until the end of October 2016.
HOW TO FIND US
London
Charleston, Firle, near Lewes,
East Sussex, BN8 6LL
Charleston is situated halfway
between Brighton and Eastbourne,
off the A27. Trains run from
A23/M23
Brighton
Lewes
Glyndebourne
Charleston
Selmeston
A27
Brighton
Monk’s
House
Firle
Charleston
A26
Newhaven
London Victoria to Lewes, which
Berwick
Station
Berwick
Church
Alfriston
Eastbourne
is 7 miles away.
Charleston would like to give special thanks to its Associate Partners, who generously support us
throughout the year
CONTACT US
W: charleston.org.uk • E: [email protected] • T: 01323 811626
twitter.com/charlestontrust
facebook.com/charlestontrust
Printed by MCR Media, official print partner to the Charleston Trust. www.mcrprint.co.uk
The Charleston Trust (Bloomsbury in Sussex) is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee. Registered charity number
1107313. Registered in England & Wales company number 5212725. Registered office: Charleston, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LL
© 2016 The Charleston Trust. All photographs, unless otherwise stated © Penelope Fewster & © Jon Santa Cruz. Brochure design by www.wheel-design.co.uk
artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, and
SPRING/SUMMER 2016
MON 7 MARCH
Oil Painting Masterclass: Portraiture
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, life model and artisan lunch
In 1916, Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant
relocated to the Sussex countryside, developing
Using the medium of oils, you will be guided by tutor
Nicola King, who will introduce the technique ‘alla prima,’
where the artist completes a painting in one sitting whilst
the paint is still wet. Suitable for all abilities.
their own haven of artistic and intellectual
activity. One hundred years later, Charleston
continues to inspire and surprise.
‘Charleston at 100’ begins with a range of
workshops and masterclasses bursting with
inspiration, providing an opportunity to develop
artistic skills that draw from the rich patchwork
of Bloomsbury heritage. Whether you wish to
paint, stitch, craft or sculpt, our programme
provides a diverse range of workshops for all
interests and abilities. This season we have many
returning tutors alongside some newcomers
including Su Blackwell, whose work explores
MON 14 MARCH
MON 21 MARCH
Introduction to Drawing
Life Casting:
Hands
10am to 4pm • £100 (£90 Friends)
• includes materials and artisan lunch
This is a day of pure drawing for beginners,
focussing on technique, line, tone and form,
developing your ability to observe; connecting
the eye and hand to discover that beautiful
drawing is not magic but a learnt skill. With tutor
Sarah Colbourne.
delicate paper sculpture, and printmaker and
collage artist Ed Kluz.
We are also delighted to welcome back The
Lord Chamberlain’s Men whose all male
10am to 4pm
£110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials
and artisan lunch
Discover the refined art
of life casting with figurative sculptor Naomi
Edwards. During the morning you will explore
body composition using alginate and plaster to
create an accurate cast of your hands holding
a personal object forming a beautiful and
striking sculpture. In the afternoon you will
experiment with colour and stains to decorate
your finished work.
production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
promises to delight. The programme includes
two walks that explore the intimate connection
THURS 24 MARCH
between Bloomsbury and the local landscape,
Angelica Garnett Gift - Spotlight Talks
plus a trip to Cressida Bell’s London studio for a
1pm to 2pm • free, no booking required
Painted Lampshade workshop.
In 2008, Angelica Garnett donated several thousand works by Vanessa
Bell and Duncan Grant to The Charleston Trust. Supported by the
Heritage Lottery Fund, curatorial interns have been photographing,
cataloguing, conserving and researching this unique collection since
2013. Join Rebecca Birrell and Zoe Wolstenholme as they discuss
their individual research projects inspired by the Angelica Garnett Gift.
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TUES 29 MARCH
MON 18 & TUES 19 APRIL
Colour: Theory and Application
Paper, Patterns and Paste:
Contemporary Collage
Masterclass
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Colour and light are key elements in painting evoking a sense
of atmosphere and emotion. Working with oil painter Tom
Benjamin, you will learn to mix colours and explore colour
theory to create a rich sense of light in your own painting.
MON 4 APRIL
MON 11 APRIL
Decorative Painting on Silk
Rag Rugs
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
10am to 4pm
£100 (£90 Friends)
• includes
materials, tour
and artisan lunch
Discover the art of painting directly onto silk
- a technique traditionally used for bespoke
cushions, wall hangings and tablecloths.
Decorative
artist Lucinda
Oakes will
guide you
through the
stages of
inspiration
and design to
transferring an
image onto silk.
Rag-rugging is an
enduring folk art that
has survived the test
of time. Colourful, textural rugs are both warm
and personal providing a beautiful, handcrafted
addition to any home. Bring your old t-shirts,
fine knit woollies and favoured fabrics to reuse
as tutor Debbie Siniska shows you how to use
traditional hand tools to create a gorgeous,
tactile rug.
TUES 12 APRIL
Painted Furniture
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Take inspiration from the patterns, colours, and expressively
painted interiors at Charleston. Learn various paint
effects and antiquing techniques with tutor Tabitha Riley.
Participants will use chalk paint and waxes to transform a
beautiful softwood box.
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10am to 4pm • £220 (£200 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Artist and designer Ed Kluz is one of the most
prominent illustrators, printmakers and collage artists
working at the moment. Using paper as your core
medium, this two-day workshop will explore how
texture, form, composition and colour can be achieved
through the layering and pasting of papers to create
collage. Re-imagine Charleston’s interior decor then rip,
cut and glue to create abstract and figurative forms.
MON 9 MAY
Painting the Garden
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
TUES 26 APRIL
Painted Lampshades
Masterclass
The Garden at Charleston, designed by artist
and critic Roger Fry, is a true painter’s garden
filled with a variety of flora and fauna. Join artist
Tom Benjamin to paint this uniquely beautiful
garden from life. Inspired by the techniques used
by Bell and Grant, you will learn to enrich the
sense of light and form in your own paintings.
Students may work in oil or acrylic.
10am to 4pm • £200 (£180 Friends)
• includes materials and lunch
Spend the day at Cressida Bell’s East London
studio where you will create your own original
lampshade inspired by Cressida’s prints and
the art of Bloomsbury. You will develop your
understanding of pattern and colour, and learn
how to use stencils and templates to create a
stunning lampshade for your home.
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TUES 10 MAY
Proud supporters
of the Charleston Festival
and the short story
SHORT
STORY
STNMAST2008
Handcrafted Ceramic Flowers
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Using clay, you will work with ceramic artist and creator of The
Ceramic House, J Kay Aplin, to sculpt 3D plants inspired by the
beautiful walled garden at Charleston. The flowers will then be glazed
and fired, becoming gorgeous ceramic decorations for your home.
TUES 7 JUNE
SAT 11 JUNE
Hand Printed Cotton Scarves
Woolf Walk
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
10am (about 6 hours)
£25 (£20 Friends)
Drawing inspiration from the legacy of the
Omega workshops, artist Cath Bristow will
demonstrate how to hand print a patterned scarf.
Design your own pattern and learn to cut and ink
your own print block to produce beautiful textiles.
Follow in the footsteps
of Virginia Woolf on this
walk across the Downs
from Monk’s House
(Woolf’s Rodmell home)
to Charleston. The team
at Monk’s House will bring Woolf’s words and
diaries to life whilst allowing you to explore
the dramatic landscape through which she
walked. Participants can stop for lunch at The
Ram Inn (not included in the ticket price). This
walk includes very steep inclines across uneven
terrain, so a good level of fitness is required.
AWARD
MON 13 JUNE
Practitioners of the craft of private banking
EFG is the marketing name for EFG International and its subsidiaries. In the UK: EFG Private Bank Limited, Leconfield
House, Curzon Street, London W1J 5JB, T + 44 20 7491 9111. EFG Private Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
EFG Private Bank Limited is a member of the London Stock Exchange. Registered in England and Wales no. 2321802.
Registered office as above. Member of EFG International. www.efginternational.com
- Short Story Award
- 132 x811626
194 mm - quadri
- publication: Charleston Whats On Guide 2015 (06.01.2015)
06 EFG
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Woodcut Landscapes
10am to 4pm • £100 (£90 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and picnic lunch
Spend the morning on the rolling South Downs capturing the chalk
and green of this graceful landscape. Enjoy a picnic lunch before
returning to Charleston to translate your drawings into print. Tutor
Helen Brown will guide you through the fascinating process of cutting,
inking and printing to produce a beautiful woodcut print of your own.
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MON 20 JUNE
TUES 28 JUNE
Landscape Painting
Painted Furniture Masterclass
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials and artisan lunch
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Walk from Charleston onto the surrounding chalk Downland, a
spectacular landscape that artist Julian Le Bas returns to regularly
in his work. In this inspiring and powerful setting, you will paint
directly from the landscape, producing an expressive, finished
painting by the end of the day. Tuition and guidance will focus
on the handling of oils and creating a unified composition.
All abilities welcome.
Create your own painted box inspired by
the patterns at Charleston with artist and
designer Melissa White. Learn to apply your
design using chalk paints followed by patination
in the form of distressing and cracking onto a
softwood box, creating a beautiful and aged
appearance. Your finished box will make the
perfect gift and your new skills can be used
on furniture at home.
TUES 14 & WED 15 JUNE
TUES 12 JULY
Much Ado About
Nothing
7:30pm both evenings
1pm matinee on
Wed 15 June
£20 (£18 Friends)
We hail the return of open
air theatre company The
Lord Chamberlain’s Men who
bring Shakespeare’s battle-ofthe-sexes comedy Much Ado
About Nothing to Charleston.
Performed in true Elizabethan
fashion by an all male cast
and filled with music, dancing
and fast-paced comedy, this
production is the perfect way
to spend a summer evening.
Sit under the stars, sip a glass
of wine and enjoy a picnic
whilst being entertained by
one of Shakespeare’s funniest
plays.
Subversive Samplers
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
MON 27 JUNE
Introduction to Basketry
10am to 4pm • £100 (£90 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Learn the ancient craft of basketry in this course with artist
Annemarie O’Sullivan. Using locally grown willow, you will learn
a variety of construction techniques to make a small frame basket
that can take pride of place in your home.
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MON 4 JULY
Painting the Figure in
the Garden
Throughout history women have used handstitched samplers as a means of expressing and
subverting their opinions about society. Today, a
growing number of artists are using stitch as a
powerful medium for expressing and exploring
feminine ideals. Vanessa Marr will teach you
basic hand sewing techniques to stitch your
own sampler onto domestic textiles, expressing
your own perspectives. Prepare to subvert your
own expectations.
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
The body positioned within the Garden highlights
the harmonious, rhythmic connection between
man and nature. Learn to paint a costumed life
model, situated within our beautiful Garden, with
artist Julian Le Bas who will guide you to observe
and paint a range of quick and sustained poses.
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TUES 26 JULY
Book-cut Paper Sculpture
10am to 4pm • £100 (£90 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Acclaimed paper sculptor Su Blackwell produces fragile, exquisite
sculptures from the pages of books. Be inspired by the life and
work of Virginia
Woolf as Su leads
you from the design
to completion of a
paper-cut artwork.
Participants will
use the pages and
illustrations from
discarded books to
create a delicate,
paper-cut diorama
displayed inside a
box frame.
SAT 16 JULY &
TUES 9 AUGUST
Life Drawing
en plein air
FRI 29 JULY
10am to 1pm • £50
(£45 Friends) • includes
materials and refreshments
Drawing from life has been
used by artists for centuries
as a technique to sharpen
the eye. Working with a
life model in the garden at
Charleston, the nude merges
with the surroundings as we
consider shape, space, light
and rhythm with artist Silvia
McRae Brown. All levels of
ability are welcome to enjoy
this unique and inspiring
morning. Drawing materials
and easels provided.
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Hurst_Charleston_Jan 2016_aw.indd 1
12/01/2016 12:20
Creation, Re-creation and Time:
100 years of Charleston’s Garden
7pm • £20 (£15 Friends)
• includes Garden visit and glass of wine
Join us to celebrate the beauty
of Charleston’s Garden, as
featured on the BBC’s Secret
History of the British Garden. Hear
about its creation, restoration
and maintenance from garden
designer Nuala Hancock and
landscape architect Annabel
Downs (who worked alongside
Peter Shepherd during the
restoration) in conversation with
our Head Gardener, Mark Divall.
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SUN 31 JULY
A Gay Outing: Patricia Highsmith
6pm • £30 (£25 Friends)
Beautiful Shadow is the vivid biography that unravels the intriguing life
led by author Patricia Highsmith. Author Andrew Wilson will discuss
the mysterious woman behind The Talented Mr Ripley and The Price
of Salt - recently adapted into the film Carol. Join us for this insightful
evening, accompanied by the music of Resound, a Brighton-based
choir. Over 16s.
FRI 12 AUGUST
MON 15 AUGUST
National Garden Scheme
Indian Flower
Painting
7pm • £20
Explore the inspirational gardens at Charleston
after hours. Enjoy talks by curator Dr Darren
Clarke and Head
Gardener Mark
Divall who will
discuss the Garden’s
design, heritage
and contemporary
upkeep. Booking
essential through
the National Garden
Scheme website
www.ngs.org.uk
10am to 4pm
• £100 (£90 Friends)
• includes materials,
tour and artisan lunch
Indian flower painting
is characterised by
intricate and delicate brushwork and strong
jewel colours. Learn the delicate and exquisite
techniques used in Mughai paintings with tutor
Hayley Brown. Design an intricate floral pattern
and learn the techniques of opaque watercolour
painting, colour filling, burnishing, outlining and
shading to create a beautiful bookmark.
SAT 20 AUGUST
Berwick Church Walk
10am (about 4 hours) • £25 (£20 Friends)
Join us as we venture from Charleston to Berwick Church taking
in the dramatic views from Firle Beacon. Stopping mid-way for
refreshments at Berwick Church we will be joined by Linda
Hallums, who will talk about the Berwick Church murals painted
by Bell and Grant. The walk includes steep inclines so a good level
of fitness is required. Approx six miles.
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YOUNG BOHEMIANS:
Workshops for 8-12 year olds
Let your child’s imagination run riot with our
experimental, skills-based art workshops led
by talented local artists. Workshops include a
short tour of the House. Bring a packed lunch
and dress for mess.
TUES 16 AUGUST
Young Bohemians:
Experimental Drawing
10am to 4pm • £35 (£30 Friends)
Join artist Sarah Colbourne to rethink and
experiment with drawing techniques inspired
by the House decoration. Leave with tons
of ideas, exercises and a series of innovative
drawings that will continue to inspire.
MON 22 AUGUST
Stained Glasss
10am to 4pm • £120
(£110 Friends)
• includes materials,
tour and artisan lunch
Handcraft a leaded stained
glass window panel with
tutor David Lilley. Learn
the traditional techniques of
cutting, leading up, soldering,
cementing and polishing to
create a decorative glass panel that colours light
as it streams into your home. Please wear old
clothes and sturdy shoes.
TUES 23 AUGUST
Young Bohemians:
Painted lampshades
10am to 4pm • £35 (£30 Friends)
Using the patterns in the House to inspire you,
learn how to design and paint a lampshade
with tutor Carol Harvard. Prepare to get
messy as you draw and translate your ideas
into a finished piece to take home with you.
TUES 30 AUGUST
Abstract Painting
10am to 4pm • £110 (£100 Friends)
• includes materials, tour and artisan lunch
Experiment and play with conventional
painting composition and structure with
tutor Sarah Colbourne. Using viewfinders to
focus upon smaller areas, you will reinterpret,
reinvent and translate the painting collection
within the house to produce a series of
personal, abstract outcomes.
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AT A GLANCE
Mon 7 March Oil Painting Masterclass: Portraiture £110 (£100 Friends)
Mon 14 March Introduction to Drawing £100 (£90 Friends)
Mon 21 March Life Casting: Hands £110 (£100 Friends)
Thurs 24 March Spotlight Talks Free
Tues 29 March Colour: Theory and Application £110 (£100 Friends)
Mon 4 April Decorative Painting on Silk £110 (£100 Friends)
Rag Rugs £100 (£90 Friends)
Tues 12 April Painted Furniture Masterclass £110 (£100 Friends)
Mon 18 & Tues 19 April Contemporary Collage £220 (£200 Friends)
Mon 11 April
Tues 26 April Painted Lampshades Masterclass £200 (£180 Friends)
Mon 9 May Painting the Garden £110 (£100 Friends)
Tues 10 May Handcrafted Ceramic Flowers £110 (£100 Friends)
Tues 7 June Hand Printed Cotton Scarves £110 (£100 Friends)
Sat 11 June Woolf Walk £25 (£20 Friends)
Mon 13 June Woodcut Landscapes £100 (£90 Friends)
Tues 14 & Wed 15 June Much Ado About Nothing
BECOME A FRIEND
Discounts on all workshops,
priority booking at the Festival
and free entry to the House
CHARLESTON.ORG.UK/FRIENDS
£20 (£18 Friends)
Mon 20 June Landscape Painting £110 (£100 Friends)
Mon 27 June Introduction to Basketry £100 (£90 Friends)
WHERE BOOKS, IDEAS
& CREATIVITY BLOOM
Tues 28 June Painted Furniture Masterclass £110 (£100 Friends)
Mon 4 July Painting the Figure in the Garden £110 (£100 Friends)
20 -30 MAY 2016
Tues 12 July Subversive Samplers £110 (£100 Friends)
Sat 16 July Life Drawing en plein air £50 (£45 Friends)
Tues 26 July Book-cut Paper Sculpture £100 (£90 Friends)
Fri 29 July Creation, Re-creation and Time: 100 years of Charleston’s Garden
£20 (£15 Friends)
Sun 31 July A Gay Outing £25 (£20 Friends)
Tues 9 August Life drawing en plein air £50 (£45 Friends)
Fri 12 August National Garden Scheme £20
Mon 15 August Indian Flower Painting £100 (£90 Friends)
CHARLESTON.ORG.UK/FESTIVAL
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Tues 16 August Young Bohemians: Experimental Drawing £35 (£30 Friends)
Sat 20 August Berwick Church Walk
£25 (£20 Friends)
Mon 22 August Stained Glass £120 (£110 Friends)
Tues 23 August Young Bohemians: Painted Lampshades £35 (£30 Friends)
Tues 30 August Abstract Painting £110 (£100 Friends)
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