Sculptural Forms in Plaster

This event will be bookable on Monday 3 August 2026.

A new sculpture course for all levels of experience.

In this course we’ll be looking at what makes an interesting sculptural form, and thinking about the construction, visual weight, tension and surface pattern of a piece of sculpture.

Using simple methods, we’ll build a wire armature support and use plaster as a modelling material to build and shape our forms. We can expect some wonderful creations by using this method!

After a little research into the archives of art history we shall begin by exploring, thinking about, and designing a form suitable to be built in plaster onto a wire armature support. This method of construction is very versatile and allows us to experience the making of sculpture in a very different way.

Guidance on working practice, techniques and design will be given throughout the sessions to help ensure a smooth transition from the idea phase to the hands-on making of a piece. Finished pieces can be sealed and painted if desired.

Suitable for all levels of ability and experience, whether you are completely new to sculpture of seeking to expand your practice.

About the tutor:

Sculptor and experienced tutor Austin Orwin has been teaching sculptural techniques at Attenborough Arts Centre for 20 years. He’s passionate about sculpture and how we interpret and respond to visual form. Alongside his teaching Austin runs his own sculpture practise, using everything from clay modelling techniques to stone carving to realise his sculptural designs.

Further information:

All materials are included in the course fee.

Please wear old clothes and/or bring aprons – plaster will get messy. Gloves and safety glasses will be available.

Participants must be aged 16+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. There may be visual reference to nudes in art and/or sculptural work featuring the nude human form as part of the course.

This course runs on Thursday mornings, 10am – 12:30pm, for 9 weeks starting on 14 January 2027, ending on 11 March 2027.

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list – simply contact our box office team on 0116 252 2455 / arts-centre@le.ac.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans!

Please ensure that you read and agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable if cancelled within 21 days of the start date for any reason.

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 (near De Montfort Hall).