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 Workshops at Wernog Wood

Wernog Wood offer traditional & contemporary craft courses in an idyllic woodland setting. Courses are instructed by practicing artists and crafts people and tailored for complete beginners as well as those with experience. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wernog Wood is a hidden gem, right in the heart of the Clwydian Range, north east Wales. Their beautiful oak and ash woods are teaming with birds and wildlife, bluebells and wild garlic and an invigorating stream.

Please visit - https://www.wernogwood.co.uk/glass-ceramic-stone to view upcoming courses.

I achieved my 1st Class hons in Architectural Glass/Applied Arts at NEWI in 2006 and am a fully qualified teacher having completed my PGCE at John Moores University, Liverpool in 2009. I taught in a high school and college during my 5 years as an art teacher and have worked as artist in residence in schools and hospitals, as well as community groups- developing workshops and creating collaborative artworks with groups of all ages and ability levels. I have experience of working with people with limited physical abilities and learning difficulties.

PROJECTS

Canolfan Ni- Corwen- A regular craft lesson exploring a range of materials and skills- Friday mornings, every other month. Please see https://www.canolfan-ni.org/what-s-on-at-canolfan-ni for dates and times- ongoing.

Teenage and Young Adult Unit at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC) in Liverpool -12 week workshop series. Part of the Bluecoat Dispaly Centre’s Outreach Programme..Spring 2023

Programme of 2d and 3d art session for The Life Rooms - Walton and Lee Valley. Part of the Bluecoat Dispaly Centre’s Outreach Programme.Summer/Autumn 2022

Denbighshire Leisure Community Workshops- including Ty Mor- Rhyl, Mind- Rhyl,, KIM Inspire- Rhyl and Prestatyn, Criw Celf and Raising the Bar. 2020-ongoing

BCUHB Art residency at Mold Community Hospital - North Wales, working with elderly patient groups over a number of months. Creating artworks using a variety of materials and techniques. Patients artwork including painted glass panels displayed permanently in patient area.

BCUHB Art residency at Ysbyty Glan Clywd- North Wales, working with patient groups from Stroke Rehab and Renal Ward over the course of 12 weeks. Culminating in permanent designed displays of patients artwork in dayroom- Summer 2019

Bluecoat Display Centre- CERI Teachers Workshop- May 2019

Crafts Counts- Ruthin Craft Centre and CAMHS Rhyl Hospital- series of 4 workshops working with children from CAMHS unit, culminating in an exhibition of the work at Ruthin Craft Centre- Summer 2018 and Summer 2019

Art Workshops as part of residency at The Walton Centre- Liverpool working with neurological rehabilitation patients and outpatient groups- Aug – Sept 2017. Plus a series of 12 follow up workshops within the CRU, permanent glass work made with the patients installed within the unit- June- Sept 2018

Playing Fields– Workshops with Year 5s in Ysgol Bryn Tabor, Wrexham. Drawing and identifying plants on the school fields, pupils creating artworks for exhibition using various 2d techniques. Culminating in production of a glass panel for the reception area made by myself, inspired by the plants we found and my time spent there June 2017

Craft in the Bay, Meet the Maker- Oct 2017, July 2019

Ruthin Craft Centre– Glass painting Workshops – May 2017
Ruthin Craft Centre– MAKE drop in workshop, Feb 2017

Mostyn Gallery– Masterclass in Glass Painting- June 2016

Bluecoat Display Centre– Artist Talk- April 2016

Criw Celf- Anglesey 2016, Flintshire 2019, Denbighshire 2020

TESTIMONIALS

Samantha Rhodes, Director, Bluecoat Display Centre- Verity developed a series of stimulating and engaging workshop activities for the patients and out-patients and visited the hospital twice a week over an 8 week residency period from July 2017. In our experience Verity approaches all her creative work with careful consideration and planning as well enthusiasm and great energy. We have been impressed by her self motivation and strong work ethic and would be very happy to work with her on future exhibition projects within the gallery context as well as in our wider community with the BDC outreach programme.

Ronnie Kershaw (BCUHB - Community Nursing) -I wanted to write to thank you so very much for all your hard work and amazing coaching you gave to our patients in Mold Hospital day unit, during the art project earlier this year. The amazingly creative work you explored with them, really gave many opportunities to both try out new mediums, but most importantly, it gave the groups a real opportunity to relax into arts and creativity in a way they haven’t done before. This encouraged communications between them and with staff, it enabled them to explore their own feelings and allowed them to express themselves in a way many of them hadn’t done since childhood, if at all. We discovered many personal things about them during this time which they had never spoken about before, which is a real indication of how relaxed they were. You managed to turn the negativity that was shared to begin with into real positivity. Comments like ‘I can’t do it’ became really positive feelings. I vividly remember one very shy lady wanting to show the rest of the group her work,  with real pride! You had praised her and she really ‘grew’ and enjoyed sharing her works from then onwards. They got a real boost of confidence from you,  and so looked forward to the each session. Your warmth and compassion oozes Verity,  from the moment you came into our unit.

Their perceptions of what they were going to do before the groups started, and what they actually did was really lovely. Surprising to them, and us!  So many assumed they would be back in an old fashioned school type activity which was prescriptive, but you gave them the confidence and teaching they needed to enable self expression and great pride in what they achieved. The way you adapted the materials so everyone could participate was truly lovely. For many people with disabilities or difficulties with grip, this could be very challenging, but you really excelled. Using different attachments for the equipment so everyone could join in independently was fabulous. No-one was excluded. Just what these lovely people really need! Thought to enable their participation, without feeling ‘different’. A marvellous expression of themselves, with beautiful works to cherish and be proud of.

As sister in the unit, I have known many of these patients for a long time. It was a real joy to witness the pleasure they gained from this wonderful opportunity. Even those who were a little hesitant or anxious to begin with.  Negativity and lack of confidence very quickly turned to pleasure and enjoyment and relaxation and pride. What an amazing experience for these lovely people in their twilight years, where many of their experiences are of not being able to do what they used to do. Feelings of inadequacy. Now they know they can do something new which they have experienced with such positivity. Thanks to you and the wonderful opportunity you have provided for them, with such thought and skill, so as everyone can achieve and succeed! I can’t thank you enough.

I really understand much more as a clinician how art can help within a medical setting, having experienced your amazing work.

Michelle Hughes and Dr Jo Iddon, Clinical Psychologists, Complex Rehabilitation Unit -The positive feedback given by patients on the ward speaks for itself. I would highly recommend Verity and encourage any service considering an art residency with her to take advantage of this opportunity. Furthermore the artwork produced by the patients and input/influence they have had over commissioned art pieces created by Verity for the hospital have been spectacular. The art work is a welcome addition to any hospital environment. Verity has held two residencies at the Complex Rehabilitation Unit at the Walton Centre over the past year and I have had the pleasure of working with her for both. Her friendly and professional manner has enabled her to establish an excellent rapport with our patients, their families and staff on the ward. Verity has utilised a variety of interesting techniques and materials within the workshops which have kept our patients interested and engaged.

Sarah Barker-I had such a great time at one of Verity’s glass bird making workshop. Great value, lots of fun and the thrill of getting our birdies back from firing all shiny and beautiful. Highly recommended. Thanks Verity.
Alison Chapman -What a lovely way to spend a Sunday. Thank you so much Verity
Great fun, extremely tasty homemade cakes , great company and wonderful tuition in an inspiring setting I loved it !! would definitely recommend the course I am looking forward to another one. Thank you
Rachel Davies-Had a fantastic workshop this weekend. An absolute joy to work with Verity who is so talented. From the lovely warm welcome, the coffee and cake, to making our birds we all really enjoyed the experience. I would recommend it to anyone.
Helen Taylor-I wanted to thank you for a lovely day. I really enjoyed trying something new in a nice relaxing atmosphere, you’re a brilliant tutor. Also a big thank you for considering my diet restrictions, lunch was one of the best I’ve had in ages. It was a lovely group to be with. Can’t wait to see the final piece. I couldn’t of asked for a better 50th Birthday present!
Janet Heath– We had such a great day you have got it absolutely right, lots of help and guidance but also all the freedom to produce something personal. I didn’t expect to be so proud of what we made!!
Sarah Davies — Totally fantastic day with the gorgeous and talented Verity – thank you sooo much for your inspiration and patience! Really can’t wait to see the pieces…so exciting! This is something I want to do again and again. Just loved the day, chilled out completely with my friends too, making something unique to be proud of. I could not recommend Verity’s workshop highly enough.