Work with a variety of materials, such as clay, wire, wax and wood to explore sculptural themes and forms. Through a series of exercises and taking inspiration from two models, the surrounding South Downs landscape, sound, music and your own emotions, experiment with how materials can express these ideas and forms. There is time to explore further in your chosen area.
The College has a rich surrounding landscape which has influenced many artists. You will explore three-dimensional form in response to six different influences, including the landscape, reclining figure, the portrait head, music/sound and your own emotions, and to explore a variety of sculptural materials in the studio and as sculptural sketches in the field. On the landscape day, you will need to be able to walk a gentle 1.5 miles in the countryside on decent walking ground. Through a process of structured exercises and experimentation, you will extend your field of enquiry perhaps what excites you most to develop a longer sculptural study and perhaps a larger sculpture (up to 24 inches).
Simple, single, sculpture materials provide a means of creating sculptural form without unnecessary visual complication. You will begin working with clay, plasticine, wax, wire, soap and balsa, assessing each material for its qualities until you find one to pursue your longer study. You will make at least six small sculptures (6-9 inches in size) in six different materials and discuss together the groups different responses. The tutor will then support you as you develop a longer study from one of these pieces or a developing idea.
By the end of the course, you will have gained an appreciation of six sculptural materials and their use for modelling/building up and reduction/taking away from the block, where appropriate. You will also have an understanding of some of the sculptural qualities which contribute to strong form, and an ability to judge yours and others' work whilst being within your supportive sculpture studio environment and community.
Summer School Highlights
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:
- Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work
- A short creative experience session in another discipline/media or course
- An optional evening at the Chichester Festival Theatre (discounted if pre-booked through West Dean)
- An optional lunchtime tour of West Dean Gardens, the historic rooms at West Dean College, or West Dean Tapestry Studio
- A celebration dinner on the last evening themed on Fantasy and Myth. Feel free to respond to the theme if you wish
- Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during summer school due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
Included
The course fee includes the cost of providing a model, all clay and and firing costs. Safety glasses are provided by the workshop. All tools are provided.
What students need to bring
Comfortable clothing for ease of movement (and that you don't mind getting clay on) On the landscape day, you will need to be able to walk a gentle 1.5 miles in the countryside on decent walking ground. You will also need to be prepared for rain. Come with an open mind. You do not need to be able to draw or sculpt, just to be enthusiastic about trying a little of everything.
Available to buy
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials including wooden modelling tools, cheesewire cutters, sketchpads, pencils and pens.
Additional information
Firing Your Work Fill in the form supplied if you wish to leave your work at the College for firing. Please note that your work will be kept for collection for six months from the date we inform you work is ready for collection. Firing of raw, finished pieces: You have two options:
1. Leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing by the College, for collection within six months.
2. You take away your unfired work for firing elsewhere.
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during Summer School due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for your Summer School will be given to you on arrival.
