BA Spring School 2027: Willow Animal and Bird Sculptures – Anna Turnbull

Tickets available from 10am Saturday 9 January 2027

Spring School at Duchy College (formerly Harrogate Ladies College) offers four full days to immerse yourself in basketry with top-class tutors. There is also plenty of opportunity to relax and get to know fellow basketmakers from all around the UK and beyond.

Both residential (single-occupancy room, shared bathroom, all meals) and non-residential (includes lunches and Sunday evening meal) options will be available. In 2027 the ticket prices are:

• Residential: £670
• Non-residential: £415

Only one ticket is available per BA member, and material costs are payable directly to tutors at the end of the week.

By purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to the cancellation policy as detailed in the Basketmakers’ Associations Terms and Conditions

Bursaries

There are 5 bursaries of up to £670 (sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers’ Charitable Trust and the Basketmakers’ Association) and a travel bursary of £400 (sponsored by an anonymous donor) available for the Spring School.   Members of 2 continuous years’ standing may apply.

Please go the Bursaries, Awards and Cups section in the Members’ Area of the Basketmakers’ Association website for further information.

The course

In this course Anna will guide you through her creative process for making sculptures using wire as a framework to weave on.

You will start by making scale drawings of your chosen subject from photographs brought with you.  These will help when fabricating the armature.  Then comes the weaving creating lines with groups of rods to create the flow of the form.

Finally any distinguishing details or features will complete the sculpture.

Anna is a willow artist and basket maker with many years teaching experience. She is well known for her lifelike sculptures of animals and birds. Her willow sculpture work starts with observations of movement and drawings.
Her larger pieces are made on a mild steel skeleton. This gives a starting point for the weaving, a structure for strength, and extends its life for an outdoor environment. The willow is woven in bundles, creating lines which echo the contours of the muscles of the body or create the flow of the form.

Suitability:  all levels

Estimated cost of materials: £25 payable directly to the tutor.

Your tutor

Anna Turnbull, of Biteabout Arts, is a local artist who works predominantly with willow and wool.
Anna’s work is inspired by the rural landscape of North Northumberland in which she lives and works. She references the wildlife, the organic forms, the rich colours and textures of nature. She grows a variety of willows and uses this and other locally grown materials in her work.
She is known for her sculptural work in willow in which she observes movement, shapes, forms, the flow of muscles, directions, lines and tensions.
Anna also creates traditional and contemporary baskets; and original hand felted items including vessels, scarves, wraps and pictures.
She welcomes commissions.
As an experienced teacher she also delivers workshops at various venues including her studio at Biteabout Farm, near Lowick, Berwick upon Tweed.