The City Lit basketry course

Learn a wide variety of basketry techniques such as stake and strand, plaiting, twining and coiling in willow, cane, rush and other traditional and experimental materials. You will cover elements of design, leading to in-depth visual research and an Illustrated Study to inform your practice. The course incorporates a City & Guilds qualification and culminates in an exhibition of work. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. Most materials used in class included. Fees shown are for the full two years.

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews for the course have now taken place and all spaces have now been offered.

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Key course information

Dates
29/09/11 - 27/06/13

Day(s)
Thu

Duration
72 weeks

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £1999
Senior fee: £1296
Concession: £932

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
VA190*

Availability
Contact department

This course is full

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Still got questions?
visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2700

Course outline

What is the course about?

This course covers a wide range of basketry techniques and will enable you to achieve a City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate qualification. The course is taught one day a week over two years and will introduce you to a broad range of basketry techniques in a wide variety of materials. You will cover the Elements of Design in the first year and in the second year will work towards an in-depth Research for Design and an Illustrated Study, for which you will choose the subjects.

What topics will we cover?

You will explore and experiment with Basketry in willow, jute, sisal, rush and cane as well as less traditional materials such as wire, card, and paper. You will learn techniques such as stake and strand, twining, plaiting and coiling. As well as learning each of these techniques, you will be encouraged to develop your skills and experimental work in areas that interests you.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Make a wide variety of baskets using a number of traditional and more experimental techniques in various materials.
- Make a variety of willow work
- Use soft materials for twining
- Make a range of rush baskets
- Make colourful canework baskets of various forms.
- Make baskets using coiling,
- Plait in a number of materials such as flat-band cane, paper and card.
- Produce a collection of basketry samples demonstrating a broad knowledge of basketry techniques in both traditional and more experimental materials.
- Work to a specific brief.
- Show an awareness of design through in-depth visual research.
- Demonstrate an awareness of contextual studies including ethnographic, historical and contemporary aspects of basketmaking.
- Write an Illustrated Study on some aspect of basketry.

During the course you will work towards making a number of assessment pieces to qualify for a City & Guilds certificate, and to a major body of pieces of basketry, some for an exhibition you will jointly set up at the end of the course.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is designed to be suitable for beginners, and students with some experience may like to use it to refresh or extend their existing skills. The City & Guilds require that you will be able to talk and/or write a little about your work and ideas, research basketry in general and the work of established basketmakers from books and other written sources. There will be handouts to read and follow instructions from, these will include Health & Safety information. There will be occasions when it is necessary to measure and count.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught through demonstration, individual and group tuition, following written instructions, study of tutors’ samples, basketry collections and books, and you will learn from your own practical experience during the course. The Library has a selection of basketry, and related subjects books. There will be at least one visit to a museum, gallery or collection. Handouts will be given on techniques, further reading, suppliers etc. You will be expected to undertake about 5 hours of independent work outside class every week.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Basic materials will be supplied with some small extra costs possible in some blocks. The college will supply enough tools for you to use in class, but you will probably want to buy some for your own use. Your tutors
will advise you. You will need to bring notebooks, pens and pencils and will find a camera useful.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

Yes. Before you can enrol on this course, you need to have an advisory interview with the relevant department. Without this the enrolment team will be unable to process your enrolment. Please contact the department to arrange your interview, or to find out about drop-in sessions. Yes. Before you can enrol you must have an advisory interview with the Co-ordinating tutor.

We will invite you to attend an informal interview to make sure the course is suitable and where we will ask you to take a simple English and Maths test.

To book an interview, or talk about any questions you may have, please contact the Visual Arts Dept on 020 7492 2700.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

The college runs short basketry courses on topics not necessarily covered in this course throughout the year.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

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