THE HELD SEA: Seafaring Charms Casting Workshop with Katherine Fay Allan

Join artist Katherine Fay Allan on the beach for a workshop, inspired by protection charms carried by sailors at sea. Katherine will support participants step by step through the process of ‘cuttlebone’ casting - an ancient form of jewellery-making that uses the soft internal shell of a cuttlefish as a single-use mould - to create their very own Seafaring Charm.

The workshop will cover how to create a simple design for your charm, carve the design into cuttlebone effectively, and then prepare the cuttlebone moulds in the sand for the metal pour. Participants can look on while Katherine Fay conducts the metal pour. Once the metal has cooled, the latter part of the workshop will be focused on demoulding and refining our charms so they can be strung onto a piece of rope or chain for the journey home.

Throughout the workshop, Katherine Fay will discuss her ideas on Future Folklore: newly created folk practices that speak of what is to come as a call to action. She will cite recent scientific research on the accelerated rise of sea levels, the future facing coastal communities, as well as consider historic maritime folk practices to ultimately uncover new ways for the folk of today to anchor themselves within community and hold fast during tumultuous times ahead.

During The Held Sea Residency, Katherine Fay has been considering the cultural association of the sea as a cure for illness, as well as the current incurable health concerns afflicting our seas, from the perspective of someone with an incurable condition. She is asking, ‘What does cure mean to someone who is incurable? And what small cures, for exhaustion, sorrow, and loneliness, can we create to stay afloat in our daily lives through the tumultuous nature of a chronic illness? Katherine Fay Allan has been exploring maritime culture, specifically protective charm-making and sea shanities concerned with resilience and fortitude, developing new traditions as a form of care for the coastal folk of today.

Event Info:

Material sourcing: Cuttlebones wash up along UK shores naturally, particularly after stormy weather out at sea. The cuttlebones used in the Seafaring Charms workshop have been purchased from ethical beachcombers across the UK. The workshop will operate with a Leave No Trace policy, meaning all materials and equipment used will be reused, repurposed or recycled.

Timings: Please arrive promptly, 5-10 mins before the workshop. This ensures participants receive guidance on the casting process, learn health and safety procedures, and can complete their charm within the allotted time.

Access:The carving portion of the workshop, as well as working with the soft texture of the cuttlebone, requires manual dexterity.

The workshop is for 16+ due to the use of sharp tools and proximity to hot metal/fire.

The workshop will be outdoors; we'll provide seating and hot drinks, but please come dressed for the elements. If the weather is rough, we will move the workshop indoors.

Places are limited. Please book in advance.