Heron'S Dyke Art Studio

Art, Design, Ceramic and Craft Courses for Children and Adults.

Art clubs, INSET days and special projects taken to schools and other venues.

Observation of teaching and learning, Adult Learning and Leisure, Somerset County Council:
Teaching and Learning “Outstanding”, Learning Environment “Outstanding”

Heron’s Dyke Studio, at the end of a no through road in the delightful Somerset village of Lympsham, is a haven for artists. Young, or not so young, beginner, or accomplished craftsperson, there will be something for everyone at this highly professional art, design and craft studio.
The studio was once part of Lower Farm, the building, about 170 years old, formally a cow shed. It’s set in a courtyard, with full disability access and plenty of free, safe parking. There are two parts to the studio, a main art room, with 12 workstations, and a ceramic studio, with 6 workstations, however, only maximum 12 students are taken on each course, (6 on ceramic courses) and so there is plenty of space for each one to spread themselves and their work.
There are three regular courses at the studio, all in school term time as follows:
Art for Every Palette…. . for adults and GCSE /A level students, Tuesday evenings, 7. 30 to 9. 30, 10 sessions.
Art for Every Palette…. . for adults, Wednesday mornings, 10 to 12. 30, 10 sessions.
Smart Art……………………for young artists, 3 groups, 7-8 years, 9 -11, 12 -15, Saturdays, 2. 30 to 4. 30pm, 6 sessions

Holiday Sessions:
Open Studio……………… for adults, parent and child, family groups, children over 14.

Individual Bookings:
Pottery Parties…………birthdays, adults or children, family groups, friendship groups.
Private Tuition…………. for GCSE /A level Art, preparation for art scholarships.
Workshops………………. for clubs, such as the WI; Lympsham Ladies; schools, both children and INSET.

Workshops and Courses taken to the Community:
Art and Clay Clubs……after school clubs, 3 local schools established.
Talks /Demonstrations. . for clubs, such as the WI; Lympsham Ladies; schools, both children and INSET.
Art Enhancement Days…through Somerset County Council.
Vision for Skills………part of the Lighthouse Charity in Weston- Super-Mare, art and ceramic workshops for those in recovery, or are lonely or vulnerable.

All courses are for mixed ability groups, unless specifically stated.
Media skills taught:
Drawing…. graphite pencil; water-soluble coloured pencil; inktense pencils; pen and ink; coloured inks, acrylic inks; soft pastel; oil pastel; pastel pencils; charcoal and chalks; biro and coloured pen.
Painting…. watercolours; acrylics; gouache.
Design……lettering; layout; graphics; illustration; IT
Ceramics……Hand building skills of modelling; slab work; pot making; ceramic art; potter’s wheel.
Crafts……. collage; dying; marbling; framing; printing.
Subjects covered:
Landscape; seascape, townscape; portraiture; figure drawing; character studies; objective still life; natural objective; composition; perspective; animals and birds
Themes:
Themes used to teach various skills are very far reaching and students say this is the most interesting feature of work at the studio. Here is a selection of themes for the adult courses:
The Seasons
All things Bright and Beautiful /All Creatures Great and Small
Silhouettes /Reflections /Shadows
My Home /My Village /My Town
Somerset, (or other county) /Great Britain
Europe /Asia /Africa /North America /South America /Australasia
Islands
Rainforest
Coast
Family Treasures /National Treasures
A Slice of Life!
Colour /Texture /Pattern
Commemoration of Centenary of beginning of WW1
Commemoration of 70 years ending of WW11
A selection of themes for the children’s courses:

“Fun with Clay” for ages 5 /6
“Fantastic Faces”
“Animal Portrait Gallery”
“Scarecrows”
“Treasure Island”
“Egyptians”
“Under the Sea”
“Witches and Wizards”
“Mermaids and Pirates”
“Heroes and Villians”
“On Safari”
“Monsters”
“Dragons”
“Frozen”
“Castles”
“Futuristic City”
“Fish Tanks”
“Name Plates”
“Spring Pond”
“A Day at the Seaside”
“Autumn”
“Christmas”


Dates and fees:
Term and holiday courses run differently each year, depending on school and public holidays, please see details for current term.
Fees are roughly £3 + per hour for adults, children’s courses slightly more but to include ceramic materials.
Art for Every Palette, Tuesday, 20 hours / £65 over 65 years, under 18 / £70 under 65, over 18
Art for Every Palette, Wednesday 25 hours / £80 over 65 years, under 18 / £85 under 65, over 18
(*No materials provided on these courses)
Smart Art, Saturday, 12 hours /£45 for one child /£42. 50 per child 2 + children from same family
(*Ceramic materials and some craft materials provided on these courses)
Open Studio, Summer holidays only. Tuesday evenings, 7. 30 to 9. 30, £5 session; Wednesday mornings, 10. 00 to 12. 30, £5 session
(*No materials provided on these courses)
Pottery Parties /workshops…roughly £30 per hour plus materials
Individual Sessions…by private arrangement
The tutor, Liz Rayner is a qualified graduate teacher of art, design and ceramics. She has taught an age range of 4-18, including GCSE and A level and has been in charge of the art department in four schools.
She also has many years’ experience of teaching art at adult education centres and her own studio. Her own work has featured in a number of exhibitions, including Somerset Art Week, and covers ceramics, paintings, crafts and design work.
She is an easy going, inventive, creative and diligent teacher with over 30 years art teaching experience and has a great sense of humour!
Please contact Liz Rayner in one of these ways for further details, or a visit to the studio:
Telephone: 01934 750492: e-mail: heronsdyke@screaming.net; Messages at Facebook, Heron’s Dyke Studio.
Thank you, hope to meet and teach you soon !