Join us in Taigh Chearsabhagh for a day of workshops, making, writing and sharing. Led by artist Caroline Dear and poet Katharine Macfarlane, this day of collaborative rope-making and poetry will culminate in an informal and open String Cèilidh, where we can share our learning and experiences of string.
Spaces for the workshops from 11am-3pm are limited, please book early. The String Cèilidh at 3pm is unrestricted by numbers and open to all.
Programme of talks and workshops
11am-12pm – Talk by artist Caroline Dear and readings by poet Katharine Macfarlane, relating to the String / Lines project, their influences, inspirations and collaborations.
12pm-1pm – Making together. Learn how to make rope using local materials, make a series of collaborative string poems and share string and rope-making history.
1pm-2pm – Lunch break. The Taigh Chearsabhagh Cafe will be open, or bring your own lunch.
2pm-3pm – String words. Explore the rich pantheon of words, phrases and associations with string and rope making, and share short writing poems while making a collaborative rope structure
3pm-4pm – String Cèilidh. Enjoy a relaxed sharing of stories, and an exploration of the wider aspects of string, the deep past, climate change, our relationship with the plants around us and local stories. With music from Alex Brown.
Caroline Dear is an artist based on the Isle of Skye whose work investigates our relationship with the natural world around us. She researches old techniques, gathering strands of practical knowledge to share and keep these simple but vital skills alive.
Katharine Macfarlane is an award-winning Scottish poet and educator whose lyrical poetry is rooted in the history, landscape and folklore of Scotland. With a passion for creating connections, she celebrates communities and champions underrepresented voices in her work.
These workshops and cèilidh are presented in conjunction with the String / Lines exhibition, opening in Gallery 2 this September. All are welcome to come along to the opening preview of String / Lines in Taigh Chearsabhagh, on Friday 6th September, at 7.30pm.
The String / Lines exhibition and events are free but if you would like to support our continued programming and enable us to keep offering free events, please consider making a donation to Taigh Chearsabhagh.
Image credit: Caroline Dear