A year-long, seasonal art and nature community project centred around pond building and bat conservation, with explorations of water running throughout.

Water underpins everything in this project, artists Clare Whistler and Charlotte Still have dedicated over a decade to raising awareness to the importance of water in everything and promoting a deeper connection and understanding between people and the water that gives us life. This project is a branch of their overall, ongoing practice.

Working with local pond building expert Pete the Pond, and bat conservationist, Karen Hammond we will work with local community groups (and anyone else who wants to get involved!) to increase biodiversity at Russet Farm and create new homes and habitats for local wildlife, particularly bats and the insects and invertebrates they feed on.

Participants will be invited to learn how to build a small garden pond, a bat box, count bats flying through the summer night sky (to feedback data to the National Bat Monitoring Programme), but also to ‘ponder’, write, think about historical and mystical meanings that water can hold, learn about the boating history of the River Rother and connect to local landscapes together.

*Join us on Saturday 1 st February for a guided water walk with Charlotte Still and Clare Whistler. This will mark the beginning of this exciting project, come along to learn more!

10-1pm approximately

Meet and end at BlackShed gallery

Wear wellingtons and appropriate clothing 

No dogs 

Along the way there will be guests …for local knowledge and art-led responses to the walk and the local landscape.

Seasonal Workshop Programme

Ian Penney Paper-Cut St. Valentine Workshop

Friday 14th Feb, 10-3pm approx. £75 pp, limited spaces. book by sending us a message on Instagram or Facebook, or by emailing mail@theblackshedgallery.org.uk

Join us this Valentine's Day for an all-day beginners session in the delicate art of paper-cut! Ian Penney is an illustrator, paper-cut artist and qualified arts educator. During this workshop on Friday 14th February 10-3pm, Ian will guide you in creating your own unique artwork....perhaps a token for a loved one, a valentine for yourself, or something a little more unconventional...Saint Valentine was also the patron saint of beekeeping, so it doesn't all have to be hearts and flowers this Valentines Day! 

George Fredenham (Flavour Fred) Flavour Walk for Imbolc

Friday 21st Feb, 2-5pm. £95 pp, limited spaces. book by sending us a message on Instagram or Facebook, or by emailing mail@theblackshedgallery.org.uk

Back by popular demand! We're excited to announce another foraging and flavour walk with George, come along for a walk in the woods, delicious foraged food and drink along the way and an invaluable peek into the world of fungi, foraging and seasonal flavour. 

These workshops form part of our Late Winter / Early Spring programme of events, celebrating light, imagination, nature and a few traditional festivals along the way (including the Gaelic festival of Imbolc)- more events to be announced...