Wire Christmas Decorations with Julia Griffiths Jones
Sunday 17th October 2021
10:00-4:00
£65
Julia Griffiths Jones is an artist-maker who won the Gold Medal for Craft and Design at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2017 for her wire installation, Room within a Room. Her work was recently commissioned for the Gweithdy at St.Fagans National Museum of History. Her response to the National Wool Museum’s collection has been installed as part of their textile trail and includes work on cloth and metal.
An experienced teacher, Julia specialises in teaching drawing, wire work and recently, enamelling on steel.
WORKSHOP:
The workshop will begin with a demonstration of decorative wire techniques, which tutor Julia learned whilst on a residency at the Povazske Museum in Slovakia. This museum houses an eclectic collection of indigenous wire objects made by tinkers in Northern Slovakia at the beginning of the twentieth century. Using steel, aluminium and copper coloured wire, a range of samples and wire drawings will be produced. The afternoon will be spent applying these techniques to a variety of metal shapes, to create a unique set of Christmas decorations. What better way to start off your Christmas planning than creating your own decorations? They could also be beautiful gifts. Julia’s style and influence will ensure you have the best looking tree in town!
No previous experience necessary.
Please read the covid guidelines below before booking
Where will the workshops take place?
We will be advised by social distancing rules at the time and adhere to the guidance. Common sense will be applied at all times. If masks are still compulsory then they will be worn by all members of the workshop. Visors are also provided for anybody who wishes to wear them. All students are expected to respect each other’s space and safety at all times.
I will update this nearer to the time.
What happens if the government restrictions do not allow workshops at the allocated time?
The workshops will adhere to ALL guidelines and will absolutely only take place if it is safe to do so. No risks will be taken. Please read the T’s and C;s and Covid Guidelines below.
Should I book a workshop if I am unsure what will be happening in 2021 with the pandemic?
This is a difficult one. I can give my opinion and explain my experiences if it helps. I cannot control lockdowns, travel restrictions, and the potential for us to need to postpone a workshop. In 2020 I postponed many guest workshops, but my team and I ran lots of regular classes via zoom and returned to small in person workshops in mid-September. We worked with Welsh Government to keep creative classes running safely as they are so important for wellbeing.
In the first term of 2021 in the second lockdown, we held all workshops online. From May onwards all in-person workshops have taken place in the outdoor classrooms. The students and tutors have adapted together and enjoyed the experience. The studio is accessible for use of machinery and materials. The students enter in small numbers to work in the studio, but are based under the gazebos just outside. I believe we are now more prepared than ever with distancing measures, PPE etc and in general people are more willing to take part in organised activities that they deem safe - whereas initially nothing felt safe! It has been so good for everybody’s mental health to get creating again at the studio and outdoors. If booking a workshop gives you something to look forward to, then it can only be a good thing. We all need a bit of hope and I sincerely hope the guest workshops will see these incredible tutors share their talents with the Beth Morris Workshops community.