Alexmas 24 *

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Twelve days of Alexmas incoming! What's that? Its an opportunity to learn new art-y skills (or revive old ones) to make items to enjoy and use during Christmas. 

From 22nd November (just after lights switch on in the town centre) through until 15th December (just after the lantern parade through town) Rugby Artists and Makers Network members at Art at the Alex will be showing you how to make your Christmas more creative with no/little financial outlay. Try things, learn things, create things for most days of Alexmas (on Steampunk Saturday and Lantern making days there is no extra craft activity, on 15th December we have TWO).

 Alongside the craft sessions we will have extra artists in house showing, selling and demonstrating. We will have an Alexmas exhibition and cabinet displays geared towards original and affordable art by local makers.We have the return of The B Road for Steampunk Saturday (a switch from September's pirate garb into google gear). We will be showing you how to make and decorate lanterns for the lantern parade. We enjoyed all this last two times so why not do it again?

All activities during Alexmas are free to take part and you don't need to book. All are suitable for beginners. Accompanied children 7+ can take part, but many adults on their own, or in pairs/couples/small groups will also participate. Its an opportunity to revisit the pleasure of making things, having fun being creative in a group, generating ideas to brighten up the winter days. No maximum age!

Here is more about the schedule. Look out for more detail on social media posts.

Friday 22nd November:  Fabric wrapping
 - Lee Becker will be teaching how to do it and offering to wrap your parcels in ready prepared Treasure Wraps available to purchase (so bring along packages to be wrapped for advice on how to wrap and perhaps buy gorgeous wrap for an extra to your gift giving)
Saturday 23rd November: Rugby landmark hand-printed cards
- Steve Davies @stevedavies1st will take the backgrounds of Rugby landmarks used for the Diwali (Fun Palace) activity in October and seasonal-ise them to use as special Christmas cards.
Sunday 24th November: Rag Rugging (more techniques)
- Chris Pegler (@peglerpurl will be showing you various rag rugging techniques, some using her vintage tools and some you can do at home with basic sewing tools. Bring your own fabrics for advice and experimentation if you wish.
Friday  29th November: Mindful Drawing
- Gemma Whitford @GemsCreative Place returns with one of our most popular workshops last year. Loosen up your drawing, try things out. Absorbing activities, no skill required.
Saturday 30th November: Gelli printing
- Carol Wheeler (@carolwheeler_multimedia_uk) will teach you how to make fabulous one-off prints. Artworks in their own right but also a lovely additions to other artwork.
Sunday 1st December: Yorkshire buttons
- Angela Pearson will be showing how to make these (see picture). Can be button or bauble sized. If you liked making Dorset buttons last year this will be a good additional craft to learn.
Friday 6th December: Foil and card decorations
- Jenny Ball (@ditherellasworkshop) silversmith shows you how to make precious decorations with materials such as foil packaging and old Christmas cards.

Saturday 7th December: Steampunk Saturday
- Alun Reed will be our (suitably dressed) gamesmaster in the morning and The B Roads will return with steampunk gear to provide live music in the afternoon. Expect the stallholders to be steampunk-ish today too.
Sunday 8th December: Origami
- Clare Pentlow loves getting creative with paper. This workshop shows you how to use origami to make something lovely. 
- Friday 13th December: Painting plates
Using special porcelain paints you can decorate a plate to take home. You can then 'fire' in a regular oven to create a durable plate surface to use. Perhaps a special mince pie plate? Led by Aish Magesh (who can guide you on Indian style stencil decorations).
Saturday 14th December: Space for Lantern making - various artists.
Lantern parade this evening through the town and we hope to make some specially art-y lanterns to show off.) NB. Not an artist-led workshop but TWO of these on the following day.
Sunday 15th December MORNING: Dorset buttons
Angela Dewes showing us a great way to use up interesting yarns. If you are already hooked on these buttons (after last year) learn more uses and effects.
Sunday 15th December AFTERNOON: Card making for young artists
Jessica Hartshorn shows families how to make special cards with stamps and art. While all the sessions are suitable for accompanied children aged 7+ this session is particularly child-centred.

Thank you to all the artists who are volunteering to help this happen. We look forward to teaching fun skills to more of the Alex's visitors in the run up to the holidays.

* Starting sooner than you think! Usually we start on 1st December, starting earlier means you can make more handmade items after visiting the Alex, maybe get your friends and family involved too.