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.
An advanced level course runs with a 4-on/4-off pattern (4 Fridays in college and 4 weeks independent study).

What will we cover?

The specifics of the course are not yet decided upon but it is hoped that you will explore and experiment with basketry in willow and rush as well as less traditional materials such as wire, card and paper. You will learn techniques not looked at in the two-year course as well as consolidating and building on existing ones.
Sessions in willow will look at scalloming, fitching, wide borders, partitioning or square work.
The plaiting sessions will look at complex plaiting techniques which explore form and surface. This module and others will expect you to undertake visual research to inform how techniques covered can be applied to experimental and practical design briefs.
Cordage in rush and other materials will lead to looping, knotting and netting and to its use for bindings and as weaving elements.
There will be three sessions looking at and working more complex borders used in basketry with reference to materials, function and decoration.
You will be encouraged to develop your skills and undertake experimental work in areas that interest you through a number of 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.
- Have developed your awareness of ethnographic, historical and contemporary aspects of basketmaking.
- Have 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 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. There will be a little use of number (counting and measuring) and help can be given by the college if requested. You will be invited to take part in group discussions and critique sessions, where it will be essential for you to be able to communicate with your fellow classmates.

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?

In addition to our expanding range of advanced long courses, you will find a range of professional practice workshops in the school of Visual Arts, aimed at providing support, skills and context, and developing communities of practice. These workshops can be taken individually, according to need or interest, or as complementary components of a modular course, which you design for yourself; either way, they are there to provide you with the skills, knowledge and connections you need to take your advanced creative practice forward.