Chatsworth opens the door to your creative side
Chatsworth is opening its doors to those looking to explore their creative side, with a season of discovery and exploration
People of all levels of skill and interest are being invited to take part in expert-led courses throughout the house and garden during the habitual ‘closed’ season of conservation and cleaning, from now until late March.
In-house experts at Chatsworth will be joined by artists, curators and makers from the Peak District Artisans association and further afield, to guide and teach on subjects such as sketching in the Sculpture Gallery, oil painting in the garden, printmaking and drawing, paper wreath-making and much more.
These creative classes will run alongside a programme of complementary talks and tours on subjects ranging from future developments in the garden, the forthcoming design exhibition ‘Mirror Mirror’, textiles and conservation, to a celebration of Derbyshire women on International Women’s Day.
Gill Hart, Head of Learning and Engagement: “We’re fortunate to have many people at Chatsworth with tremendous expertise in their subject as well as links to artists and makers across the region and beyond.
“Many of our visitors have told us how they are inspired by our art collections, so we’re aiming to help them develop their creativity and gain a deeper understanding and insight into Chatsworth while exploring their interests in a new way.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to host creative workshops in the house and garden while the estate is closed for its annual programme of conservation. Some of the events such as Sketching in the Sculpture Gallery would be unfeasible at any other time of year.
Winter at Chatsworth, January- 17 March
Enjoy free parking and explore everything the estate has to offer this season, from walks in the winter landscape to a curated selection of talks, tours, and workshops designed to educate and inspire.
Printmaking, from 17 January
A six-week course in printmaking, using a variety of techniques, with access to the garden for inspiration.
Drawing in the garden, 28 January
Enjoy the winter colours in the garden and landscape and develop a range of drawing techniques.
Sketching in the sculpture gallery, 4 February and 11 March.
Expert tuition in a drawing masterclass includes exclusive access to the Sculpture Gallery while the house is closed.
Mirror Mirror - Reflections on design at Chatsworth, 10 February
Chatsworth curators will lead an illustrated discussion of this forthcoming design exhibition as 16 renowned contemporary designers come together to reveal new perspectives on more than 500 years of design at Chatsworth.
Oil painting masterclass with Sue Nichols, 1 March
Taking inspiration from the Derbyshire landscape, artist Sue Nicholls will give guidance on planning, composition and materials as well as expert feedback.
International Women’s Day - A celebration of Derbyshire women, 10 March
Celebrating local Derbyshire women from a diverse range of backgrounds through their small businesses, art and services to the communities of Derbyshire.
Paper wreaths and posies with Kim Bevan, 19 March
A hands-on Mother’s Day workshop led by paper artist Kim Bevan - make delicate paper flowers using recycled paper and develop them into a spring wreath or posy.
From the garden team, dates January and February
The garden team will be giving various talks and tours to provide insight and understanding around the future development of the garden, as well as the production of fruit, veg and flowers used in the estate’s shops and restaurants.
Historic textiles and conservation tour, 18 April
See the ongoing work needed to conserve textiles, sometimes hundreds of years old, both on route and behind the scenes.