Sculptural basketry in the Pyrénées landscape

Description

Sculptural basketry in the French Pyrénées landscape

Join me at the stunning in the French Py­rénées at the beautiful Clos Mirabel estate in Jurançon, Pau, SW France. Clos Mirabel is a beautiful fif­teen-acre esta­te bet­ween coast and moun­tains. Its 18th Century Manor House is set in pri­va­te park­land amidst the gen­tle hills of Ju­ran­çon with magni­ficent unin­terrup­ted views out over vine­yards to the en­tire chain of the Py­rénées Atlan­ti­ques.

The accommodation is stunning and a delightful culinary experience included in the residential basketry retreat. You in the sharing of wonderful food and wine in the company of fellow artists and friends as part of your all-inclusive art retreat.

Located close to Pau, 30 minutes from Lourdes, 1 hour from Biarritz and 2 hours from Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Details:

Dates: 1-8 July 2023

Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Language: English

Full Board Accommodation: From 1295€ to 2495€ p/p per week, based on room choice and single or shared occupancy. See which room you want here and Book here or contact directly here.

Tutor’s Fee: 450€ to be paid directly to the tutor + 35€ materials fee. Some material will be included. Pay by contacting me after you’ve booked your accommodation.

Maximum 12 participants and includes group and individual tuition both in the studio and ‘plein air’, excursions and meals. Non-workshop guests are welcome.

 

About this course:

Through the lens of nature, explore beyond what you imagine a basket to be. Taping into your creativity, we will be exploring traditional basketry with a sculptural perspective.

During this week long basketry exploration at Clos Mirabel in Ju­ran­çon, Pau, S W France you will learn much more than just basketry techniques, it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, your stories and tap into powerful creativity that is ready to surface.

You’ll be extending yourself beyond what you imagine a basket to be by using a variety of foraged and natural fibres. You will receive personalised tutoring to develop practical skills in my favourite basketry techniques including random weaving, twining, and looping and will weave vessels and sculptural forms.

During artist-led outings to explore the natural landscape in the Pyrenees you will create woven sculptures that connect to concepts that you want to explore. Together through enquiry, conversation and quiet contemplation we will explore the relationships between land, mountains, plants and humans and how our woven sculptures can articulate this.

With guidance and tuition, you will complete a series of sculptural forms culminating in your very own sculpture using the techniques we have explored and materials that you’ve foraged as well as class materials.

To build that connection to nature we will be using the beautiful parkland of Clos Mirabel overlooking vineyards and the entire chain of the Pyrénées Atlantiques, to do ephemeral art exercises which is a technique that involves creating temporary artworks using found natural objects (such as leaves and sticks) and placing them into patterns and shapes. Also using ink, to make experimental forms on paper with found natural material which can be incorporated in your weaving.

Suitable for beginners, intermediates or people wanting to explore their creativity through basketry. Learning at your own pace, in this hands on, practical and inspirational workshop is all about exploration and experimentation not perfection. While learning basketry techniques, you will be reconnecting with your imagination and creativity in the stunning landscape of the French Pyrenees.

About your tutor: Catriona Pollard

Catriona Pollard is a contemporary artist who uses traditional basketry techniques to transform foraged plant fibres into organic sculptural works. Her unique sculptural work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into works that investigate human’s personal connection with the natural world.

As a dedicated professional educator, she holds sold out sculptural basketry weaving workshops in Australia and internationally and teaches for design and craft centres. She holds demonstrations for organisations including Museums, and gives artist talks at galleries and community groups. She also established the online SchoolofBasketryArt.com with students from around the world.

Engaging audiences to build creative connection with the natural world is a fundamental part of her art practice and her teaching.  By transforming organic material into sculptures, she presents an opportunity to be enchanted by the natural world and the stories it shares.

Through her sculptures, she uses nature as a way to connect with people that goes beyond physical beauty, but touches them in a personal and profound way. Ultimately aiming to reignite people’s relationship with nature for the wellbeing of both the human and more than human worlds.

She exhibits extensively in solo exhibitions, selected and group exhibitions. She has been a finalist in many art awards including 2023 International Art Textile Biennale, National Capital Art Prize, Environmental Art & Design Award (Awarded Highly Commended 2022), North Sydney Art Prize, Australian Fibre Arts Award, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW and Mosman Art Gallery.

Her artwork is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections. Watch her talk about her art at ABC TV and Gardening Australia and read in the feature in Good Weekend, SMH/The Age.  She is profiled in the Book: Woven Together: Weavers and Their Stories (Gingko Press). See more talks and media.

Sculptural basketry in the landscape program outline:

Saturday
Guests settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
An introduction to the course by Catriona Pollard
Welcome drinks and dinner

Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Developing an understanding of using nature to create woven sculptures. Learning about ephemeral art and creating compositions in the landscape. Expressive painting using ink and collected material from the landscape. Demonstrating random weaving using cane/vines.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Weaving random weaving using cane/vines. Creating a vessel form using random weaving technique using cane. Studio work with individual tuition throughout the day
7.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Sitting outside weaving a vessel form using random weaving technique using long leafy plants and collected material.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Afternoon – studio work weaving random weave with individual tuition
7.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Focussing on the technique of looping in the studio. Demonstration, followed by individual tutoring.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Looping around a branch or jar. Studio work with individual tuition throughout the day
7.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Wednesday – day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or beyond
7.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Thursday
10.00 – 1.00 Day out working in the mountains using the landscape to weave sculptures using the techniques that you’ve learnt with individual tuition. Forest bathing exercise, expressive painting using ink and collected material from the landscape.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at local village.
2.00 – 4.00 Using the landscape to weave sculptures.
7.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00  Learning the technique of twining using jute or string.  Weaving a vessel using the twining technique. In the studio or outside
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Opportunity to continue with your sculpture from the landscape or create another woven sculpture.
6.30 – Evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel
7.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace

Saturday – Buffet Breakfast and departure

Non-weaving guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-weaving guests, accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable Click here for more information.

The Art Studio, full of natural light was designed by our Italian architect and offers a spacious open plan layout of 55 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.

Guests have access to the grounds and outdoor swimming pool, which is partly heated by solar panels.

Your accommodation:

You have a choice of rooms. Please click here to see the rooms and rates,

Food & Wine

A delightful culinary experience awaits you in the sharing of wonderful food & wines in the company of fellow artists & friends as part of your all-inclusive art retreat.

The growing & preparation of the food we serve comes, when possible, from the permaculture gardens and is prepared in our own kitchens. It is part of the creative input here at Clos Mirabel. We believe food & wine and the pleasures of the palate contribute to connection, conviviality and sharing.

During your holiday with us, you will enjoy buffet breakfasts, light lunches served in the dining room, out on the terrace, or a gourmet picnic out on location.

In the evening, apéritifs served on the terrace or in front of the fire may include home made cordials infused with Cardamom, Elderflower or Rosemary. You will taste quality wines from the Jurançon vineyards that, like here at Clos Mirabel, are located high up on terraces to take advantage of the gentle oceanic microclimate and the hot dry air of the Foehn. Try the dry wines and sweet and even sparkling Rosé made by our neighbours at Clos Thou.

Dinner is four courses… Fine dining and memorable moments…

A vibrant, rich & colourful cuisine that may include classics of the SW such as canard revisited and even foie gras, garden to table vegetables roasted and grilled, rich soups and salad combinations all with their accompanying condiments. Trout & salmon may appear with Roussanne peaches from Monein. The plateau de fromage includes cheeses from the Ossau Valley & Pays Basque to be followed by autumn crumbles or summer sorbets and always the pièce de résistance, Chocolate & Chestnut fondant. We cater for special dietary requirements.

Full board is offered throughout the week except for lunch on day 4, which is a free day. Read more about the food & wine here.

What’s included: accommodation, park and pool, meals and day out in the Pyrénées for Clos Mirabel. The Course description above for the Tutors fee. For more information about what is included click here.

What’s not included: flights, insurance, transfers.

Extra nights before or after the course can be added subject to availability at a preferential rate. Airport Transfers can be arranged on request.

To book or for more information about Clos Mirabel:

Check availability directly with Rachel & Xavier at Clos Mirabel by e-mail info@clos-mirabel.com, Tel: + 33 559 063 283 Mob: + 33 679 590 491, atelier.clos-mirabel.com

If you wish to confirm a reservation, this is usually done by e-mail. Clos Mirabel SARL will confirm the reservation and request a deposit of 250€ per person, which is not refundable. Receipt for deposit will be sent by return.

For more information about the workshop please contact Catriona here.

Cancellation policy
Balance of payment is due to Clos Mirabel SARL 8 weeks before the beginning of the Art Atelier. Tutor fees are also due 8 weeks before the beginning of the Art Atelier. Fees to be paid directly to the tutor. If a fully paid booking is cancelled within the 8 week period prior to the atelier, a cancellation fee of 50 % including tuition fees will be applied. More information here: https://atelier.clos-mirabel.com/terms-conditions

Quotes from students

“Your workshop was the best I have ever attended or likely to. It was so complete with our written work, discussions, meditations, ephemeral art, as well as all the great techniques and the total class commitment and enthusiasm.” Rachel

“Thank you for your fantastic workshop. I have been fortunate enough to find myself collecting and connecting to nature yesterday and this morning. May it stay that way. I love looking at my little sculptural ‘basket’ – it’s colours are changing and it’s just magical – it makes me happy. I feel more centred. Such a gift – thank you again.” Kim

“Led by the dynamic and richly talented Catriona, we mastered new techniques and learned so much more about the creative process. It is not always that the practitioner can teach, but despite her own high level of skill, Catriona knew that we needed to learn the elements of the craft before letting loose our imaginations.” Sarah

“I had a wonderful time creating, learning new skills, using natural elements and sitting chatting with like-minded women.  What a gift to be able to take time out with Catriona guiding us enthusiastically and nurturing our new skills and self-belief.  Thanks heaps Catriona.”  Robin

“Thanks so much for an awesome weekend of weaving! It was wonderful to learn a range of weaving styles and enjoy great company.” Jane

“Thanks for the workshop. I enjoyed it immensely. You were very encouraging, insightful and considerate”. Christine

“Thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.  It was lovely to spend time creating a sculpture from nature, in the company of like-minded people.”  Anita

“I was lucky enough to attend Catriona’s workshop. It was truly a blessing to have full days of creativity being guided and taught by someone who is so talented and inspiring.  I learnt a lot, laughed a lot and it felt so good to be part of such a like minded and creative group. It was a special experience that I will not forget in a hurry.” Allison

“This workshop had boosted my confidence and creativity and had taught me practical techniques that I can apply in a myriad of ways. My basketry skills have escalated since doing your workshop! I loved the way you scaffolded each skill we learnt with your teaching style this made the progress smooth and achievable!  Thank you also for your encouragement, reassurance and support.”  Lea