Free Summer Sketching Sessions

This is an open summer school of drawing, free for all, in the outside at different locations in the city.

In four sessions over one month, the participants will be encouraged to draw as a means of recording and responding to their local environment. Sessions will involve walk and sketch in various urban locations relating to the theme: earth, water and sky. Through a range of media, the changing texture, light and movement of the local surrounding will be explored. The outcomes will be shown in PS² at a later stage.

If you are interested to take part, please book your session/s in advance as numbers are limited. We will provide basic drawing materials and folding chairs, but please bring your own preferred art material as well. The summer school of drawing is free and open to anyone with or without artistic skills. Still, necessary requirements are:
- curiosity
- sense of exploration and observation
- tolerance not to get it 'right'.

To book your session or get more information please contact: email: treehouse4[at]virginmedia.com and follow on facebook.

Session 1

Meeting point: Lock Keeper's Cottage
Date: Sunday, 11 August
Time: 10am - 12 noon
Focus: Nature, sky, river Everyone welcome, please join artists Sharon Kelly and Cilla Wagner who are meeting at the Lock Keeper's Cottage in South Belfast for two hours of sketching! A wonderful location to be inspired by the energy of the river, trees and nature. We will have a supply of materials and fold up stools. We will take short walks in this location along the Tow Path / River Lagan.
Bring your own refreshments or buy tea / coffee at The Lock Keeper's Cottage Cafe.
Travel Info
The Lock Keeper's cottage is about a half an hour walk along the tow path from Cutter's Wharf, Stranmillis or 10 minutes on a bike.
By car to Newforge Lane and park and short walk to the Loc keeper's Cottage or park at the Shaw'sBridge car park and short walk to the Lock Keeper's Cottage.
You can get to Lock Keeper's cottage by Metro Bus Service 8 and a short walk. Get off the bus just before the House of Sport roundabout and walk past the entrance to Barnetts Demesne towards Shaws Bridge on the Outer Ring. Shaws bridge is 200 m past the entrance to Barnetts Demesne on the right hand side. Follow the walking directions from Shaw's Bridge from link below:
For walking directions from Shaw's Bridge see.
For directions of The Lock Keeper's Cottage see.

Session 2

Meeting point: Outside The Waterfront Hall, City Centre, Belfast
Date: Sunday, 18 August
Time: 2 - 4pm
Focus: Structures and sky Everyone welcome, please join artists Sharon Kelly and Cilla Wagner outside the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. We will take inspiration from the bridges, buildings and structures around this city centre location of the River Lagan, responding to the urban shapes, textures and dynamics against the space of the sky. We will have a supply of materials and fold up stools. We will take short walks and sit and draw / paint in this location.
Bring your own refreshments or buy tea / coffee at nearby cafe's.

Session 3

Meeting point: The Bandstand, Botanic Gardens, College Park, BT7 1LP- see map
Date: Saturday, 07 September
Time: 2 - 4pm
Focus: Portraits of Trees - tree shapes, silhouettes and formations. Children: 7 years +. This session specially invites parents/ guardians with children to join. For children 7 years + who must be accompanied by a parent / guardian. We will be focusing in particular on TREES in the park, just as they begin to turn their Autumnal colours. Join Cilla and Sharon who will bring  paper, drawing and painting materials and fold up stools. How to get there: You can enter the Park at Botanic Avenue, University Road or Stranmillis Embankment. By Metro Bus no. 8 getting off at Queen's University or Metro Bus no. 7, getting off at College Park. The Bandstand is located just beyond the main green in the park and close to the Rose Gardens.

Session 4

Meeting point: In front of City Hall, City Centre, Belfast
Date: Friday, 13 September
Time: 7:30 - 09:30pm
Focus: Drawing at Dusk. Observing the flavour of the city as the sun goes down! Everyone welcome, please join artists Sharon Kelly and Cilla Wagner who are meeting in front of the City Hall. Be sure to dress for the weather and cooler nights. If you like your comfort, bring a small padded thing to sit on - in case of cold seats!