Painting Problems: Tabletop Inspiration

Under the guidance of tutor Jenny Grevatte, explore the idea of the tabletop as a stage for painting, curated to a different theme each week. This course would suit anyone seeking to break new ground with their practice and develop new approaches.

The tabletop has a long and rich history in art right up to the present day. This seven-week course will explore this tradition and push it further. Objects such as clothing and costume, natural forms and flowers, pots and pans, and rubbish and detritus, will be brought together in ways that tell stories and build meaning.

You will begin by drawing and investigating and move into mixed media, collage and paint. Each week there will be a different curated tabletop display and at times you will be invited to bring in your own objects.

Participants should bring an A4 sketchbook each week which will be used for exploring and recording discoveries. Several more finished pieces should result from the course and, for those who wish to, there will be additional work set each week to do at home. You will look at a mix of contemporary and historical artists for inspiration, including Elizabeth Blackadder, Sonia Barton, Elaine Pamphilon, Pierre Bonnard, Anne Redpath, Florence Hutchings, Jane Feilicher and William Scott.

Tutor Jenny Grevatte is an established artist of international renown represented by the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham. Her work is in national and international collections, including Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, the Women's Art Collection, Murray Hall, Cambridge and the Johannesburg National Museum.

All materials are provided.

Participants must be aged 18+.

This 7-week course will run on Wednesday mornings, 10am – 1pm, starting on 15 January with the final session on 26 February 2025.

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us.