Seaweed Pressing Workshop (4 hr) - BROADSTAIRS

Seaweed Pressing Workshop (4 hr) - BROADSTAIRS

Learn the almost forgotten Victorian art of seaweed pressing in this 4 hour workshop. Produce several pieces of art to take home and frame.

By The Driftweed Artist

Date and time

Sunday, June 16 · 10:30am - 2:30pm GMT+1

Location

Holy Trinity Broadstairs

Nelson Place Broadstairs CT10 1HQ United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

About this event

  • 4 hours

Learn the almost forgotten Victorian art of seaweed pressing in this 4 hour workshop held in the Church Hall just behind Holy Trinity Church on Nelson Place in Broadstairs.
Join Gemila, The Driftweed Artist, at this relaxed and creative workshop to learn how to press a variety of seaweeds to create your own unique pieces of art.
All tools and materials are provided!

We will meet at the venue at 10.30am before taking a short walk down to the beach to collect our specimens for pressing. Gemila will guide you through the process of sustainably collecting seaweeds and help you to identify the best specimens. Back at the venue she will share the basic skills for successful seaweed pressing.
Seaweed pressing, like flower pressing can take a while so Gemila will be gifing each participant their own press so that the pressing process can be completed at home (this can take several weeks, seaweed dependent). Once completed your artwork will be ready to frame and gift!

Places are limited to 8 people and the activity is suitable for adults and children aged 8+ (with a fully participating adult).

Venue Details:

  • The Holy Trinity Parish Hall is located on Nelson Place. There is ample parking in the nearby
    Albion Street Car Park or free parking on surrounding roads. There are local bus services
    operating nearby and it is a 10 - 15 min walk from broadstairs train station.
  • Apart from the foraging aspect the rest of the activity is seated and there are ample toilet
    facilites on site.
  • Tea, coffee and squash are provided along with some sweet treats for our refreshment
    breaks! :)

    Accessibility & What you need to bring

    All tools and materials are provided - even collection pots. Please pay attention to the weather on the day and dress accordingly for the foraging part of the workshop. Sensible footwear is advisable as we may encounter some slippery rocks and wet pools!

    If mobility is an issue (accessing the beach and bending) you are welcome to attend the pressing part of the workshop only as there are disability toilets and disabled access to the parish hall, so please contact me directly via email to discuss your requirements: driftweedartist@gmail.com

Frequently asked questions

Is this suitable for children?

I have a minimum participation age of 8 years with a fully participating adult. This is due to the duration of the workshop and the dexterity and focus required. As children will need to be accompanied by an adult I ask that the adult also participates in the workshop themselves.

What if I need to cancel?

If you are unable to attend the workshop I ask for a minimum of 5 days notice so that I can attempt to fill your space. Within this timeframe I will only be able to refund 50% of your fee as I need to cover venue hire costs etc.

I would like to arrange a group workshop but there are more than / less than 8 of us.

I am happy to discuss individual requirements for group workshops. Anything is possible! Please contact me directly on: driftweedartist@gmail.com

I have limited mobility - can I still join in?

Part of these sessions includes time foraging on the beach. If you are unable to access the beach due to mobility issues then it is possible for you to still attend the pressing session of the workshop which is accessible and seated. I will provide you with plenty of seaweed specimens to press!

What if the organiser cancels the workshop?

In the unlikely event of Gem needing to cancel the workshop, due to extreme weather, illness or venue issues, we will contact you with as much notice as possible and either attempt to rearrange the workshop date or offer you a refund.

What if it is raining?

'Seaweeding' is an all weathers activity for the stoic among us. If it is raining the session will still go ahead provided the conditions are safe. Obviously we may need to reschedule in the event of a full scale gale! Workshops are usually held during spring / summer and early autumn only.

What should I wear / Bring with me?

You don't need to bring anything for the session at all! All materials are provided. Please pay attention to the weather report and dress accordingly. Sensible footwear is advised as we may encounter slippery rocks, flint etc. Suncream / raincoat etc.

I've never done this before and I am not creative

This workshop is suitable for anyone, beginners or otherwise. Seaweed pressing is more of an art form these days than previously. Marine biologists still do seaweed pressing to monitor / study specimens so you don't have to be artistic!

Are refreshments provided?

I will provide tea, coffee, squash and cakes to keep us all going. If you have allergies / specific dietary requirements please feel free to bring your own snacks also! I will not knowingly provide refreshments which contain nuts!

Tags

Organized by

The Driftweed Artist

Follow thedriftweedartist on instagram.

With sustainability at the heart of her practice, Gemila forages on Thanet beaches at low tide in all weathers, collecting small amounts of ‘driftweed’ (pieces of seaweed that have become detached from their rocky holdfast and are floating freely in the shallows or washed up onto the beach). She takes these specimens back home to begin the drying process in her hand made wooden presses before transforming them into delicate works of art. The process is slow but exciting because you can never predict how each pressing will turn out. Sadly, when most of us ‘Thanetian’s’ think of seaweed we think of the pungent mounds which build up on our beaches in the summer. Through reviving the Victorian art of seaweed pressing with a modern twist Gemila hopes to help others look closer and to see the true beauty of Thanet’s seaweeds that has hitherto gone unnoticed.