Land of Oak & Iron Newsletter
2024 has begun - how time flies by! We are starting the year off in our usual fashion; with plenty of workshops and events, which we're pleased to say are filling up fast!
Let's take a look at some of our upcoming events still with availability - get your tickets quick!
Acrylic Painting Course
Friday 9th February, 10.30am
Step into the world of art and painting with local artist Kath Rodger.
Experienced and friendly art tutor Kath will guide you from blank canvas to finished landscape artworks using demonstrations and individual assistance to improve your skills and confidence. The aim is for each student to produce artworks they can feel really proud of.
This course takes place 1 afternoon a week for 4 weeks and is suitable for beginners and for those who have painted before and would like to learn more techniques or continue with their art projects.
Four-week course costs £80, including tuition and a tea or coffee each week.
Please bring basic painting materials such as brushes and acrylic paints (we can advise you of this when booking). We will also have some basic brushes, paints, water jars etc that you can use too if needed.
Places limited to allow quality teaching and learning; our previous courses have all sold out very quickly so if interested, please do get your tickets now!
Children's Watercolour Art Class
Saturday 17th February, 10.30am
Artist and children's author Monique Scott is leading another of her very popular children's watercolour and illustration class at our lovely Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill.
Monique has illustrated and written several children's books and taught lots of children how to draw and paint. Â She will share her illustration and painting techniques with children during this two hour art class.
Monique will teach the children how to draw and then add colour to their drawings using watercolour paints, as well as blending and brush techniques.
This is a great class for those who would like to learn drawing and painting techniques with a professional artist and illustrator. Places get booked up quickly - so get your ticket soon.
Land of Oak & Iron Supper Club
Thursday 29th February, 7pm
We are starting monthly events for food lovers! We kicked off the year with a delicious three course festive meal with entertainment for Burns Night, and are continuing into February with the first of our monthly Supper Clubs.
Join us on Thursday 29th February, 7pm for a special three course set-menu of delicious food made by our incredible Chefs.
Our Heritage Centre café looks beautiful during the evening as the twinkly lights and our warm and friendly atmosphere create a perfect relaxing environment to socialise with friends and family over food.
The evening menu this month is:
Starter:
Crispy poached egg laying on a herby pea and bean salad with polenta.
Main:
Braised chicken thigh in a rich tomato stew, fondant potato and green beans.
OR
Slow baked aubergine in a rich tomato stew, fondant potato and green beans.
Desert:
Douglas Fir and lemon posset with shortbread and berries.
Plus tea/coffee.
Ancestry With Anthea
Friday 1st March, 2pm
Ever wanted to research your family history but don’t know where to start? Then come along to the next of our ‘Ancestry with Anthea’ session at the Heritage Centre.
Anthea Lang has been doing family history research for over 20 years and has run many successful family history courses.
Anthea retired from her role as Gateshead Council’s Local History and Heritage Manager. Despite her retirement, she continues to assist individuals in tracing their family trees, leveraging her extensive knowledge of the North East.
Come along and discover the how, where and when of family history research in this friendly and informal session taking part in our Map Room.
Limited places, booking essential.
Marcia Ley Exhibition 'Inside Out Gallery'
Daily until Sunday 3rd March
Currently at the Heritage Centre's Inside Out Gallery you can view artwork created by local artist and printmaker Marcia Ley.
Marcia's work is bold and colourful using different materials and processes. Her exhibition showcases her paintings on paper and silk along with a selection of her lino prints.
Here is a snippet of Marcia's description of the inspiration behind her work:
"I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I still have a scrapbook with collages from when I was five years old. Even then I clearly loved using colour and assembling materials and images...
As a Christian my faith always influences everything I do and, in my work, I try to reflect the beauty of the world that we have been given. I work in an almost entirely intuitive way, building and erasing and making lots of mistakes until, hopefully, I come through with something that feels entirely mine."
Dog of the Month
This month's Dog of the Month is... Luna!
We think lovely Luna deserves to be 'Dog of the Month' because she loves a walk around the Derwent Valley, plus we love her cosy jumper!
