Operating as a social enterprise, Town Farm Workshop producers are adults with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. The workshop is located within a small business development in North Dorset. It is an environment that promotes a work-focused attitude within the community. The income from each item sold is halved- 50% is given straight to the artist and the remaining half is paid back into the enterprise for materials and equipment. The artists have a wide range of age and ability and enjoy these activities with support from tutors, staff and volunteers.
Weaving is carried out on floor and table looms, using a wide variety of yarns which are donated or sourced as locally as possible. The results of this are a developing interest in colour, texture and pattern.The ceramic items demonstrate a variety of techniques including coil building and slab building, finished off with hand modelling, while some are made on a potter’s wheel and all fired in the workshop’s kiln. The group experiment with decoration using slips, under glazes, oxides and glazes with great results. Leather crafters are supported to make a variety of items including belts, purses and bags, using stitching, cutting and dying skills.
Town Farm Workshop will be exhibiting with us until Purbeck Art Weeks so make sure you pop in and see their fantastic array of work soon!
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