Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust

Basic info | Short workshop program | Four week workshop program | Dates | Fees

Sea, sky and unlimited stone — we offer an international venue for sculpture, the magical environment of Tout, Britain's first sculpture quarry.

The stone carving and sculpture workshop is in the heart of the quarry. Last worked nearly a century ago by hand, Tout Quarry is a network of pathways and, labyrinths and gullies - now a site of special scientific interest with rare grasses, butterflies and orchids.

Come and learn about stone in its place of origin. Our workshops are designed for all levels of experience, from absolute beginner to professional. Previous experience is not required.

Workshops run from May to September. Duration: one, two or four weeks. The cost, as always, is as low as we can get it — and there is plenty of excellent cheap accommodation on the island.

You will be taught by tutors who have specialised in sculpture, stone restoration and carving.

For many people who come to carve for the first time, the experience of working in the open air workshops — surrounded by sea, sky and unlimited stone — has been a powerful stimulus for the imagination, leading to the discovery of new forms within their work.

Work completed during previous workshops has resulted in students taking part in exhibitions, international sculpture events and symposia, and has contributed to the development of their work in college, at BA, MA and PhD level.

The cost of the course is inclusive of professional tuition, use of tools, workshop facility with weather cover and provision of freshly quarried stone.

The cost of the courses does not include travel, personal medical insurance or accommodation.

The Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust is covered for Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance.

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Achieve a finished piece of sculpture in this time.

The program includes:

• An introduction to the sculpture of Tout Quarry created in relation to the naturally regenerated environment; the flora and fauna, traditional quarrying techniques and geology, revealed through the quarrying process.
• Demonstration of carving techniques and use of tools in sculpture, masonry, architectural carving and letter cutting.
• Selection of stone and establishing starting points for individual carving projects and ideas for sculpture.
• Individual tuition — developing carving skills as the week progresses, from roughing out techniques to fine detail.
• Surface finishing techniques for Portland stone.
• Informal discussion on work achieved and pointers for the future.
• Tuition is from Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5 pm.
• Evening events (optional)
  • Video presentation — background to the Trust's project.
  • Slide presentation — illustrating stone sculpture from different cultures.
  • Eating out — Abbotsbury Oysters (seafood and salads), Barbecue (weather permitting)
• Take home your finished piece.

All you need to bring with you are sketchbook and drawing materials, stout footwear (steel toe-capped boots are recommended), and — if you wish — personal stone tools. Safety goggles and gloves are provided.

On the first day, you will be issued with a toolbox, and a set of tools which you keep on loan for the duration of your workshop. Those who wish to continue carving can buy toolboxes and tools at the end of the workshop.

You can take your finished sculpture home with you, but it is best not to be too ambitious in terms of scale when selecting your stone. Your tutor will give you advice. Portland stone is very dense: 1 cubic foot (0.03 cubic meters) = 140 pounds (63 kilograms).

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Direct stone carving - discovering new sculptural forms.

Course as above - providing the opportunity to

• Develop new work through drawing and direct carving.
• Develop detailed work in sculpture, masonry, architectural carving and letter-cutting.

Accommodation | Workshops Information Form| About Portland | Maps

These are the dates planned for the Tout Quarry Summer Workshops in 2008.

Courses run weekly from Monday to Friday.

1. 26 - 30 May
2. 2 - 6 June
3. 9 -13 June
4. 16 - 20 June
5. 23 - 27 June
6. 30 June - 4 July
7. 7 - 11 July
8. 14 - 18 July
9. 21 - 25 July
10. 28 July - 1 August
11. 4 - 8 August
12. 11 - 15 August
13. 18 - 22 August
14. 25 - 29 August
15. 1 - 5 September
16. 8 - 12 September
17. 15 - 19 September
18. 22 - 26 September

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The currency quoted is GB pounds.

• One week workshop: £245
  • Reduced rate: £200
• Second week: £210
  • Reduced rate: £170
• Four week workshop: £720
  • Reduced rate: £520

Please note that

• The reduced rates are only for full-time students at a recognised and accredited university or college, or for people with documentary evidence of unemployment status (eg: UB40).
• The fees include professional tuition, loan of tools and provision of freshly quarried stone in an open-air workshop with weather cover.
• A selection of carving tools will be available for sale at the end of the course (stock permitting).
• The fees do not include travel, personal medical insurance or accommodation.
• Please note that the increase in course fees for 2008 is the first for four years — representing £4 per day on a five day course. This reflects increased running costs for the Trust in the delivery of its annual programme and summer stone carving and sculpture workshops, including transport, provision of stone, use of hand carving tools, tuition and sculpture workshop assistant.

Accommodation | Workshops Information Form| About Portland | Maps