Plants are our Teachers
Current Programme: 2026
Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
A series of bi-monthly weekend workshops leading participants on a journey of plant-based learning and deep attention. Different approaches to drawing, painting and printmaking will open up new ways of seeing, to build a conversation and kinship with the natural world.
Workshops take place in the A+E project space, located in the Chapter House of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh. Participants will be expertly guided through different approaches to drawing, painting and printmaking by the experienced artist and teacher Sarah Gittins.
With additioanl expertise offered by Ian Edwards and Alette Willis.
These workshops are suitable for all levels of experience and ability, from beginners to advanced.
Spring Harvest (Part 1): Foraging and Making
Saturday 18th April, 10am-4.30pm
Join Ian Edwards, ecologist, forager and nature guide, for a special day of foraging, cooking and making – gathering edible and useful plants from the local area such as nettles, cleavers and flowering currant. Learning more about the nourishment that grows all around us.
This is a one day workshop with Ian Edwards – ecologist, forager and nature guide
£60
Spring Harvest (Part 2): Drawing and Printing,
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May, 10am-4.30pm
To be taken as a follow-on from part 1 or as stand alone course.
During this workshop we will deepen our knowledge of edible spring plants through drawing and monotype printmaking. Participants will be guided through engaging and accessible drawing exercises, and expressive monotype will be used to communicate the plants’ character and energy.
A two day workshop with Sarah Gittins – artist and educator
£120 (£100 if block booking)
Drawing a Spiral of Resilience
Sunday June 7th, 10am-4.30pm
In this workshop we will be introduced by Alette Willis to the Climate Resilience Herbs planted in St Mary’s Community Garden. We will get to know the herbs through creating drawings in a spiral form. Our drawings will be embellished with botanical inks and earth pigments.
A one day workshop with Alette Willis – herbologist and storyteller – and Sarah Gittins – artist and educator
£60
Green Men and Wild Women of the Summer Garden
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July, 10am-4.30pm
This workshop takes inspiration from plants of the summer garden together with the wonderful variety of foliate head forms found in churches across the world. We will gather colour notes and drawings from the plants of St Mary’s and weave our observations into a series of playful papercut collages.
A two day workshop with Sarah Gittins – artist and educator
£120 (£100 if block booking)
Hedgerow, Berry and Earth
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September, 10am-4.30pm
A celebration of hedgerow plants through mixed media drawing, using berry inks and earth pigments. We will learn how to make our own inks from berries and simple earth paints from foraged materials, creating mixed media work inspired by bramble, elder and hawthorn.
A two day workshop with Sarah Gittins – artist and educator
£120 (£100 if block booking)
Honoring the Vegetables
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October, 10am-4.30pm
This workshop will draw inspiration from the vegetable plants growing in St Mary’s Community Garden: choosing a favourite vegetable to celebrate through the designing and carving of a linocut block, printing a fabric banner and creating a small edition of paper prints.
A two day workshop with Sarah Gittins – artist and educator
£120 (£100 if block booking)
Further information
Workshops are suitable for all levels of ability from beginners to advanced.
All weekend workshops run from 10am to 4.30pm and cost £120. (Block booking all 4 of Sarah’s workshops qualifies for a reduced fee of £100 per workshop.)
The workshops with Ian Edwards and Alette Willis cost £60 irrespective of other workshop attendance.
All materials are included in the fees.
A limited number of subsidised places for all course are available for those on a low income.
Please contact A+E for further details.
A+E 