Inspired By: Georgian Shoes

Join Sunday Times bestselling novelist Imogen Hermes Gowar and museum curator Judeth Saunders, for a one-day workshop using Georgian shoes from the museum’s stores as inspiration.

This Creative writing workshop invites you to draw inspiration for new creative work by thinking through historical objects as routes into the past (and back again). With unique access to normally-unseen Georgian shoes from the museum’s stores, collections expertise from curator Judeth Saunders, and facilitation by Sunday Times bestselling author Imogen Hermes Gowar (The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock).

The Georgian era 1714 – 1837 was steeped in Industrial Revolution, the rise of the middle class, the expansion of the British Empire, and complex social etiquette. What springs to mind when you think of Georgian attire? Is is delicate embroidery, riding boots and bonnets? One way to gain an authentic feel for the period is to turn to original source material. “Clinking”, “tott’ring”, “sallying forth”: walking in the 18th century was a different experience to ours. Whether on thin wood heels “apt to break” or on iron-ringed wooden pattens, people’s footwear shaped the way they moved through the world.

On this workshop participants can enjoy a richly stimulating day full of playful prompts, gentle writing exercises and up-close encounters with fascinating objects and their 18^th century makers and wearers.

For those who are new to using museum and archive collections, we’ll introduce you to the collection and show you how you might access archival material to inform your work. For all attendees, the workshop offers a glimpse into the breadth and depth of the Shoemakers’ stored collections – we hope you’ll return to find your interest and inspiration here again and again!

Participants will be able to learn from each other in a collaborative, supportive and friendly space, with no pressure to share.

Inspired By Workshops

Inspired By is a series of standalone one-day workshops, held at Shoemakers Museum. The sessions will be for up to 10 participants and will focus on artefacts from the Shoemakers Museum’s stores, grouped around different provocations and approaches.

Who is it for?

Open to anyone over 16 years of age with an interest in creative writing and curiosity about getting up-close engagement with collections as a starting point for developing creative practice of any kind (though the activities will focus on writing).
You don’t have to be an established writer or artist, your curiosity and interest are enough, come for the joy of it, what ever your level you are welcome.

Cost

£82.50 per person
Includes tea and coffee, tuition and unique access to the historic collections.

Author Imogen Hermes Gowar

Sunday Times bestselling author of the critically-acclaimed The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock

Imogen – who also has a background in museum practice – brings expert insight into how deep engagement with the material culture of the past can flesh the bones of a creative piece – or spark a completely new idea. With teaching experience in a variety of formal and informal contexts, Imogen will guide you to new perspectives and ways of working.

Jude Saunders Objects Curator

Jude is objects Curator at Shoemakers Museum. By providing close access to some of the collection’s treasures – from the battered and humdrum to the glittering and bespoke – Jude will facilitate attendees to think through objects and consider what fresh insights and inspiration they can offer.