City Lit basketry course: advanced

What is the course about?

This new course is for learners already experienced in a range of basketry techniques and will build upon and develop these skills. You will be introduced to more techniques and some emphasis will be placed on self-directed study and developing a personal portfolio of work.
You will be encouraged to consider elements of design, undertake sampling of materials and processes, think about aspects of basketmaking to help the development of your own ideas and understanding of the subject.
You will work towards producing a body of basketry work and a number of final pieces.
You will be expected to undertake approximately 6 hours a week of independent work in order to meet the course requirements and keep up momentum during the gaps between classes.
This advanced level course runs with a 4 on, 4 off pattern: 4 Fridays in college alternating with 4 weeks of independent study. The course culminates in a public exhibition.

What will we cover?

On this advanced course, you will extend and develop skills learned on City Lit’s two-year course as well as learning new techniques that were not covered. Although still to be confirmed, it is anticipated that sessions in willow will look at square work with partitions, scalloming, fitching and wide borders. There will also likely be sessions on frame baskets. The plaiting sessions will look at experimental techniques which explore form and surface. Cordage in rush and other materials will lead to looping, knotting and netting and to its use for bindings and as weaving elements. An introduction to seat weaving will look at the traditional 6-way pattern in cane and rush seating on frames and it is hoped students will find chairs on which to work at home. Danish cord and seagrass seating may be introduced depending on desires. You will be expected to undertake visual research leading to Working Designs: planning a basket, sampling, sourcing materials and costing. You will be encouraged to develop your skills and undertake experimental work in areas that interest you through projects to be worked upon mainly at home.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Produce a collection of samples and resolved pieces of basketry demonstrating an extended knowledge of techniques in traditional and more experimental materials.
- Demonstrate an awareness of design through visual research and ideas development.
- Make work to specific briefs.
- Developed your awareness of ethnographic, historical and contemporary aspects of basketmaking.
- Followed good health and safety practice.
- Record, document and assess your work.

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

The course is designed to be suitable for those who have followed a two-year basketry course at the City Lit or an equivalent elsewhere, or can demonstrate they have a good grounding in a number of basketry techniques. This will be discussed at the pre-enrolment interview.
You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and hand-outs, and health and safety
information. You will be invited to take part in group discussions and critique sessions, where it is essential for you
to be able to communicate with your fellow classmates.
There will be a little use of number (counting and measuring) and help can be given by the college if necessary.

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.
Handouts will be given on techniques, further reading, suppliers etc.
A visit or two to a museum, gallery or collection will be arranged for a non-schoolday.
You will be expected to undertake about 6 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, in the production of large
scale work and work done at home.
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.
For each day you will need to bring notebooks, pens and pencils and will find a camera useful for ‘taking notes’ and images of work in progress.
If you do not have access to a computer, you will be able to arrange access to a PC at City Lit, in the Supported Learning Centre.
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 to make sure the course is suitable. We will ask you to take a simple English and Maths test.

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

VX102.