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Basketry and Drawing Tuition
When and where
Tuition in both subjects is available by arrangement throughout the year in Charmé, a small farming village, in the Charente Department in South West France. The 17th century stone house and recently built studio provide an attractive and sympathetic environment in which to learn. It is possible to drop in for an intensive day, come for a weekend, stay for a more leisurely week or have day or half day sessions slotted into a two-week holiday that is being taken in the area. Individuals or groups are equally welcome.
The tuition
The ethos for the tuition in Charmé is that learning should be stimulating, inspiring, sustainable and above all enjoyable. Both tutors are highly experienced and dedicated to ensuring that students have a rich and memorable learning experience.
Basketry
Tutor: Lois Walpole
The term ‘basketry’ is being used here because it embraces a broader range of uses for the techniques than the term ‘basket making’ implies. Basketry or basket making techniques can be used to create things such as furniture, fencing, lighting, clothing, jewellery and sculpture as well as baskets.
The tuition is aimed at developing skills and maximising creativity. It is tailored to individual needs and desires and encompasses complete beginners and those who already have experience. It is possible to focus on specific materials, recycled and natural (including home grown organic willows) or to learn techniques such as plaiting, coiling, stake and strand and willow cultivation.
Drawing
Tutor: JJ Ignatius Brennan
John, or ‘JJ’ is a professional practising artist and post-graduate of the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London. Some of his recent work can be seen on the Veer North website.
The philosophy behind the teaching is that everybody has the capacity to draw if they are given some basic tuition and that drawing can be a very valuable part of the creative process for developing ideas for three dimensional objects such as baskets. The techniques taught vary according to individual needs but can include traditional observational work such as still life and landscape to using the senses to identify and create a personal visual language.
Other things to do in the area
Tuition in Charme is an opportunity to learn new techniques, experiment with different materials or improve design skills whilst also enjoying a delightful part of France.
In the summer months there are many other things to see and do in the area. The attractive cities of Angoulême, Poitiers and Saintes are all within easy reach by car or public transport. It is good cycling and walking country, kayaking is very popular on the slow flowing Charente and there are plenty of lakes and rivers for swimming and fishing. The area is renowned for its Romanesque architecture and is home to one of the biggest, but least well-known, Roman amphitheatres in France at Les Bouchauds.
Slow and sustainable tourism
The philosophy of slow and sustainable tourism, i.e. eat local, spend local, discover local is a guiding principal for the accommodation on offer in Charmé.
The accommodation
Accommodation is provided either on a bed and breakfast or full board basis. Guests are accommodated in a converted 2 story stone barn which is an integral part of the house. There are 3 oak- beamed, simply and naturally furnished bed rooms and a shower room and toilet for the exclusive use of guests. Visitors are treated as family and have full use of all the rooms and facilities that are available.
Alternatively there are two self–catering holiday cottages with pools very close by - see www.frenchconnections.co.uk, reference 5884 (there are cheaper rates for couples out of season) and Gîtes de France No. 1031 (Charmé, Le Bourg) www.gitescharente.com. Early booking for gîtes is essential during school holidays.
Hotels and campsites suitable for caravans are approximately 11 kms away.
The food
Lois and John both enjoy growing vegetables and cooking and care is taken to produce delicious meals from fresh ingredients.
The in-house food is sourced wherever possible either from the organic garden or from nearby market gardeners and producers. Menus are predominantly but not necessarily vegetarian and guest’s preferences are always taken into account.
Breakfasts are French in style; coffee or tea with bread and croissants and fresh fruit. Lunches are light e.g. salads, sandwiches or soups. Evening meals with wine will usually comprise a starter, a main course and either local cheese or a dessert all with an emphasis on seasonal and healthy eating.
How to get there
There are many ways to get to Charmé. It is located at a convenient stopping off point for journeys by car from the UK and northern Europe to Spain and the Mediterranean. Ryan Air flies from Stansted and other British cities to Poitiers, Limoges, Rochefort, La Rochelle and Angoulême (the nearest). The journey can be continued by hiring a car or by taking a train. Alternatively collection from an airport is provided at cost. Trains also run from Waterloo via Paris and Poitiers to Ruffec. Coaches run from many European cities to Poitiers or Bordeaux where the journey can be completed by train or car-hire.
What it costs
- The fee for half a day’s tuition (3 hours) without lunch is 45€ per person.
- The fee for a whole day (6 hours) including lunch is 90€ per person.
- Bed and breakfast in house is 28€ per person per day.
- Evening meals including wine are 18€ per person per day.
- Collection from Angoulême Airport 15€ each way ( up to 4 people)
Please note the accommodation is only available to those taking tuition and their partners or children.
To book or to discuss individual teaching requirements, or if you have any queries please phone Lois or John on 00 33 (0)5 45 89 63 35 or email lois@loiswalpole.com or jjignatius@hotmail.com
A deposit of 30% of the course/accommodation cost is payable at the time of booking with the balance to be paid on arrival.