There are many types of art workshops and it can be difficult to understand the difference between them. Many offerings are out there; some in person, some online, some downloadable workshops and others are a hybrid combining in person and online elements. For the purposes of this blog post we're focusing on in person, embroidery workshops that don't provide a qualification.
The main types of workshops are paid for workshops at an organisation or other venue, community art workshops, group workshops and one to one or private workshops.
Paid for workshops at an organisation or other venue are often stand alone topics for example Hand Embroidery for Beginners or Visible Mending. They may be held at an organisation that purely delivers arts workshops, in an artist studio or hired venue such as a church hall. There is a fee to pay for attending and are usually open to everyone to attend, though some are for those people with a certain level of experience. These workshops may last for a few hours, a whole day or perhaps a length of time such as weekly for 4 weeks.
At the end of this workshop you will have created a piece of textile artwork and have mastered a skill or technique. They are excellent to meet like minded people as well as to learn more about textile art. They may be quite centred around a specific topic and not give as much room to learn exactly what you want to, as the needs and wishes of the rest of the group need to be taken into account.
Community workshops are working with a community of people. This may be a geographical community or a group of people such as those who have additional needs, those who have mental health concerns or a school group for instance. Generally participants don't pay to come to the workshops and there is a creative output at the end for example a banner, exhibition or similar.
These workshops are often paid for through funding, donations, raising of funds through events or grants. They are mostly taught by artists who share their skills with the community group. These workshops can be participatory where the artist shares the vision and the group work together to create it. They can also be co-creative workshops in which the community works with the artist to both design and create the final creative outcome. The artists role is that of someone who teaches skills needed, maintains expectations and ensures that the project is running to the time frame and budget.
Group workshops are similar to a cross between community workshops and paid for workshops. They are instigated by a group that exists - perhaps an embroidery group, knit and natter group, art group or even a group of friends or family. An artist or tutor is invited to the group to share embroidery or textile skills around a given topic, for example weaving a scarf or texture in textiles.
The group will pay for the workshop through the fees charged to go to the group or by asking those members who would like to attend to pay an extra fee. Only those people who are group members are invited along. This type of workshop is excellent to share a day with like minded people and develop your skills at the same time.
Private workshops or one to one workshops are where there is one participant and the tutor. The workshops are centred around what the participant wants to learn or develop. They may wish to master a technique or to have support with a particular project. They may take place at the tutor or artist's studio, the participants home or another venue that is mutually agreeable. The participant has the tutors undivided attention making them excellent to really hone a skill and work on exactly what interests you. They may last over a long time or be a one off workshop.
Each artist and tutor will offer workshops in slightly different ways; some provide all materials and others will give a list of what you need to bring. Types of workshops are sometimes called different names and not every arts tutor will offer all types of workshops.
Whatever the type of embroidery or textile workshop they are all a great way to be inspired and learn new textile techniques.
If you would like to know more about types of workshops you can visit this page here or send me a message here.
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