Demons and dioramas: Day of the Dead papier mâché sculpture
- Course Code: VU208
- Dates: 20/09/24 - 25/10/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Ro Sylvester
Course Code: VU208
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
An opportunity to enjoy making fantastic sculptures, masks, memorials and miniatures. Enter into the spirit of the festival and its rich themes, forms and colours, through the ancient and versatile material of papier mâché.
What will we cover?
You will become familiar with making sculptures from paper using assorted skills, adaptable to many creative scenarios. You will make a collection of objects inspired by Mexican tradition, the varied and colourful rituals of the day of the dead. You will have the opportunity to explore personal interests such as mask-making and dioramas.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Papier mâché layering
- Pulp techniques
- Constructing
- Colouring
- Finishing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Beginners welcome and advanced makers from other disaplines wishing to invest time and learn new skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This will be a hands-on course with demonstrations and learning through doing. There will be suggested projects and you will be supported by the tutor to develop your own ideas.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Basic materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring any extra or special materials.
You must wear sturdy shoes, that cover the whole foot (no open toe). Please also wear old working clothes or bring overalls.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The City Lit sculpture department offers a wide range of exciting courses that will allow you to progress from beginner to advanced and learn a range of techniques. After this course you may wish to join a similar course to develop your skills further or try something completely different. We offer courses in prop making, metal, clay, carving in stone and wood, mould making and casting, and much more! Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course VU841, which helps you to build your own individual sculpture practice.
We are constantly adding new courses. Please ask your tutor for advice or browse the City Lit website for inspiration. It is also possible to contact our visual arts team by emailing visualarts@citylit.ac.uk, or calling 0203 880 2415 Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm.
Ro Sylvester is a veteran of film and theatre, having made costume and props for productions such as ‘Hellraiser’ and ‘Legend’ back in the ‘80s. She ran a costume studio in Covent Garden for some time, supplying the Opera House and other West End Theatres with costumes and props. Ro also made many props and costumes for pop videos including Eddie Grant, Supertramp and New Order. From the early ‘90s, she worked in secondary and 6th form teaching, delivering exam courses in Design Technology, Textiles, Graphics, Computer Graphics and Model Making. Having retired from secondary teaching in 2017, Ro has worked to private commission in retail display, commercials and theatre. She has also worked as a tutor at City Lit, teaching; Model Making, Prop Making, Perspective, Pastel drawing and general creativity skills. She continues to create bespoke lightweight jewellery, window displays and props for theatre and film. Ro runs a lively and fast moving classroom, helping students to explore their potential and progress onto other courses where applicable. You can see much of her work and that of her students on her website.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.