A touch of glass comes to Northumberland

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(Free-Press-Release.com) August 8, 2011 -- Talented Northumberland stained glass artists Dawn & Jan Watson are revealing the secrets of their craft in a series of courses designed to reach the more rural areas of the county.

Dawn & Jan from Harbottle have been running their own stained glass studio since 1985 and for the last decade have taught many students their craft through classes run by the local authority. Now however, they have decided to move away from teaching in large towns and have chosen to return to their roots by using various venues around Northumberland including the Costello Centre in Alnwick, the Coquetdale Arts Centre in Rothbury & Longframlington Village Hall.
The idea to take the courses to smaller towns and villages came to the couple when they realised that many of their students had to travel many miles to get into large towns such as Morpeth. Living in a very rural area themselves, they appreciated the fact that often people in outlying areas of the countryside were forced to travel for essential services such as medical care, shopping and leisure activities.

“Our courses are aimed at both the beginner and those who have some experience but wish to gain more knowledge with the guidance of experienced stained glass artists and tutors,” said Dawn. “Our aim is to make learning the art of stained glass accessible to those living in rural Northumberland. We know there are many people wanting to learn this craft and we hope that by bringing the courses to villages nearer their homes it will make it possible for them to do so.”
Already, demand for the courses which start in September is high and some of Dawn and Jan’s previous students have developed their skills from small beginner projects to much larger architectural pieces for their homes. The couples own stained glass commissions can be seen in private residences and public buildings in Northumberland, around the UK and beyond.

Students attend the couple’s classes for many reasons, some because of a passion for glass, some just to learn something different & others just purely to meet new friends while learning a new skill. Joan Ford from Longhoughton is one of those students who just wanted a new challenge.
“Having just had breast cancer I needed something to get me going again,” said Joan.”Knowing that the saying life is not a rehearsal, is very true, I made a decision to try anything and everything that gave me an opportunity to broaden my life skills, Dawn and Jan’s class did just that and stretched both my mind and developed skills I never knew I had.”

Students at each class are of mixed abilities with tuition tailored to their needs. “We like students to be able to come to the class and produce the project of their choice and we’re there to make that possible for them” says Dawn. All the specialist tools and equipment are available at the class for students to use and materials can be purchased from the tutors at the class. Each class lasts two and a half hours over an eight week period during school term time.
Ends
Photo shows Dawn and Jan at their home in Harbottle
Contact Dawn Watson on Tel: 01669 650215 or Email: dawnwatson@harbottle.net

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