Schools

TCDT sends expert tutors directly into schools to deliver hands-on workshops. Students go straight from lessons into creative sessions held outside of curriculum time – no travel, no extra logistics, just accessible inspiration. Workshops consist of five after-school sessions lasting 1½ hours for ten students aged 14–19 and up to three of their teachers, equipping them to bring these practices back into their classrooms. Students are selected by the school.

The gold leaf gilding course was a very valuable opportunity for me as I improved my hand eye coordination. I showcased the gold leaf bauble I made at TCDT in my Dentistry interviews. The interviewers seemed very intrigued by my manual dexterity, and I got a place. As a result, I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me by the creative dimension trust.

Student from La Sainte Union Catholic School, Camden

I am very grateful to the Creative Dimension Trust for giving me the opportunity to be part of their community and do what I like the most (being creative) without having to worry about the costs. I enjoyed all the workshops I participated in, not only because I was taught by experts who share the same passion for what they do, but also because I met new people with whom I worked together and made so many memories. I would highly recommend them to anyone no matter their experience.

Student from Maria Fidelis School, Camden

Evaluation from Students and Teachers

Our Workshops

Jewellery Making Workshop

This workshop will help students to learn foundational skills within the world of jewellery making. Through projects such as creating a brooch, ring or pendant, students will gain confidence in how to saw, cut, shape and file metal as well as solder. More specific skills will also be taught such as how to make a collet to fit a stone or making a catch and pin joint for a brooch. By the end of the workshop, students will have made their very own jewellery piece that is ready to wear. This workshop is run by expert jeweller Paul Ravn who is a fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths' and former staff member at London Metropolitan University Jewellery School, the Cass.

Bookbinding Workshop

This course will introduce students to the craft of bookbinding, exploring traditional and contemporary methods. Bookbinding is both an historic craft and a living art form with techniques that have evolved from medieval manuscripts to modern artist books. Each week students will be guided through a new binding method, creating small notebooks to take home. Alongside making, they will learn the language of bookbinding from signatures and sewing stations to covers and endpapers. By working with different structures – from simple folded booklets to stitched hardcovers – students will gain an understanding of both functional and decorative approaches to the bound book. This workshop is run by Kristina Chan, a professional artist and printmaker, who has exhibited globally with her work permanently held at the V&A, Ingram Collection and Royal Collection.

Technical Drawing Workshop

In this workshop students will explore two types of drawing used for designing: measured line drawings and drawings that give a realistic impression of what something will look like. By designing a building that sits within a garden, students will learn how to sketch in perspective, hand-draw plans and elevations and create rendering in pencil to represent the interior and/or exterior of their chosen architectural design. This workshop is run by Sarah Hocombe, a fresco painter and illustrator whose illustration work has featured on products for well-known brands.

Tailoring Workshop

This workshop will guide you through some of the techniques used by designers to make cloth details, such as panels, pockets, collars and cuffs. As well gaining an understanding of the importance of these techniques for creating the architecture of a garment, students will also gain confidence in cutting, stitching, pressing, basting and finishing. By the end of the workshop students will have created a toile (prototype) collar that will contain some key skills required to create 3D garments for fashion, apparel or costume. This workshop is run by Ian Scott Kettle, a well respected freelance designer with over twenty years experience. His own work has been profiled in many magazines such as Vogue and he has contributed to projects in the arts, film, theatre and pop industries involving Cindy Sherman, Toyah and Michael Jackson to name a few.

Leather Working Workshop

This leather workshop is designed to enable students to learn the fundamental techniques of leatherwork. Over the course, they will learn to make a series of small leather goods such as cardholders, keychain lanyards and belts. Each piece will enable them to practice specific techniques including cutting from a pattern, saddle stitching, cutting, glueing, attaching hardware and various kinds of edge finishings. By the end of the course, they should have a clear understanding of accessories design and the process that is involved in turning an idea into a 3D object. This workshop is run by Candice Lau an award winning master leatherworker who has worked with the likes of Coach, Bang and Olufsen, Toast and the V&A, amongst others.

Furniture Making Workshop

In this workshop, students will learn core woodworking skills to make a 3-legged stool. During each lesson, different techniques will be taught such as the importance of measuring and how to safely use drills, saws and other tools. Students will also have the chance to build confidence in joinery, allowing them to better understand furniture construction. This workshop is run by Emma Leslie, who runs the New School of Furniture Making and has her own practice as a designer and maker.

Hand Embroidery Art Workshop

This weekly workshop introduces students to hand embroidery as a creative and expressive art form. The focus is on experimentation and making original artwork, rather than traditional or prescriptive embroidery. Students will learn how to design for hand embroidery and how to transfer their ideas onto fabric. They are introduced to basic outline stitches, filling stitches and decorative techniques, and encouraged to explore texture, mark-making and the expressive qualities of thread. Overtime, students will build confidence with materials and stitch while also using embroidery in a contemporary, playful way. This workshop is run by Lucy Newman, known for her unique abstract thread paintings and has opened her own bespoke hand embroidery studio, LJN Studio, in 2017.