with Annemarie O’Sullivan and Tom McWalter of STUDIO AMOS
Tuesday September 17th - Sunday September 22nd
A rare opportunity to learn basketmaking with some of the most preeminent United Kingdom-based makers working today: learn to make a fitched willow gathering basket with Annemarie O'Sullivan and Tom McWalter. Fitching is a beautiful, open work technique, which creates baskets that are strong yet lightweight. Students, beginner or experienced, will hone their willow basketry skills.
In this course led by renowned designer makers Annemarie O’Sullivan and Tom McWalter of STUDIO AMOS, students will spend the week learning to make a small fitched willow gathering basket. Students will learn how willow is grown and prepared for weaving, as well as the fundamentals of willow basketmaking including hoop making and simple borders. Advanced makers will have the opportunity to make a second basket of their own design. The focus will be on refining specific skills rather than producing large quantities of work. We’ll invite students to take a slow meditative approach with plenty of rest and body awareness.
The final day will be spent foraging and exploring materials from the farm to make cordage and simple bindings. The week will be both physical and restful. Students should have the ability to walk for 1 to 3 miles in undulating countryside and partake in some gentle movement work. This course will also touch on how we can best care for our bodies while doing repetitive movements.
Guided residencies at Worlds End are week long courses that allow students to immerse themselves in a particular craft. Accommodations are lush and rustic, and our rural idyll serves as both a living classroom and meeting ground for auspicious, often kismet encounters. Over 6 days and 5 nights we witness students not only expand their knowledge and appreciation of craft, but develop new understandings of our interconnected world. Worlds End is lucky to have a network of thoughtful and accomplished chefs who prepare every meal during these residencies with vegetables grown and meat raised on the farm. We eat communally, intentionally blurring the lines between student, teacher, and staff, and regularly find conversations around the table to be our favorite classroom at Worlds End.
What you will learn:
— Sorting and preparation of willow
— Selection of willow
— Knife skills
— Cutting and attaching scalloms
— Waling
— Fitching
— Simple borders
— Selection of willow
— Knife skills
— Cutting and attaching scalloms
— Waling
— Fitching
— Simple borders
— Steam bending
— Hoop making
— Leather finishing
— Simple stitching in leather
— Cordage
— Simple binding
— How to care for your body whilst doing repetitive work
— Hoop making
— Leather finishing
— Simple stitching in leather
— Cordage
— Simple binding
— How to care for your body whilst doing repetitive work
PRICING
The total cost for this residency is $3,600 for single occupancy. A 50% nonrefundable deposit is required in order to reserve your place. Final payment will be due 1 month prior to the start of the residency.
A small number of double occupancy rooms are available. Double occupancy rooms cost $4,900. If you are interested in coming with a friend or partner and would like to share a room, please contact mail@worldsendschool.org with any questions.
Willow Basketry Deposit
INCLUSIONS
5 nights of accommodations,
4 full days of tuition,
all food and beverage, all materials
Exclusions
Transportation to and from Worlds End Farm.
Worlds End Farm is located at 123 De Kay Dr, Esperance, NY 12066, a 45 minute drive from the Albany Amtrak station or Albany airport.
Worlds End School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
123 De Kay Dr, Esperance, NY 12066mail@worldsendschool.org | ︎
photos courtesy of Rinne Allen and Sarah Ryhanen