Project Outline

Project Background

The idea and development of the project has been brought about by the acknowledged shortage of skilled practitioners within the building restoration industry, especially the South East.(National Heritage Training Group/English Heritage report 2005) and, subsequently, with the demise of the BA Restoration and Decorative Studies at the University of Portsmouth.This degree covered traditional Interior decorative skills both on a practical level and academic one.It  had the reputation of being a centre of excellence, producing a high ratio of First Class degree students.


Addressing the Shortages within the Industry

The National Heritage Training Group, English Heritage and Construction Skills are now looking  to address the shortfall within the industry.

In 2007, the South East Regional Craft Skills Action Group (SERCSAG) was formed with representatives from NHTG, Construction Skills and EH, as well as commercial companies and government agencies with the purpose of looking how best  to support and  deliver training.A new  Foundation degree in Conservation skills is one route being considered and Skills Heritage in Portsmouth hopes to become accredited to teach these skills by becoming affiliated with an appropriate university.

It may be that students could be enroled from both construction skills and interior design/art based backgrounds.We have suffered from not having an obvious pathway or route of training.Our aim is to be much more flexible in approach and widen our appeal.

Skills Heritage in Portsmouth began in 2005

Aiming to carry forward the legacy that had been built by the BA course. and to provide a centre of excellence in Portsmouth.

The skills are primarily concerned with building interiors and consist of:

  • Scagliola-not taught anywhere outside the industry
  • Gilding.Water, oil and verre eglomisé.
  • Mould making/decorative plasterwork
  • Architectural carving
  • Trompe l'oeil.paint effects/sable brush work
  • Wood graining/marbling/paper marquetry
  • Hand blocked wallpaper (To be reinstated)
  • Architectural/conservation/restoration lectures


Unique Feature:

This associated group of skills is not taught or demonstrated anywhere else

Overall Aim

To provide a stimulating environment enabling heritage skills to flourish by

Informing

      Educating

      Handing on legacy to the next generation

      Encouraging career opportunities and personal development for practitioners

Short Term

To offer tuition ,demonstrations,exhibitions,workshops and lectures, aiming to stimulate interest in the subject, whilst  building links and setting up centre.

 

Range of Activities to be offered at centre:

  • Practitioners

To have the opportunity to  demonstrate and teach.Sale of work/Studio space

  • Tuition: To deliver  new  Craft Skills qualifications 

High skill-level accredited tuition for professionals within the construction industry, already working/studying within related fields. For example, Universities and related courses, which no longer offer practical experience, such as architecture, surveyors, interior design, building conservation and heritage studies.

  • Weekends and holiday periods to run commercial activities.Cultural Tourism

Special heritage interest holidays and groups.

Demonstrations/local architectural history lectures

  •  Family leisure breaks

Based around school holidays. These would include child workshops to make models and explore the local dockyard attractions, running alongside adult workshops and lectures.  Advertise Heritage magazines.Encourage young generation

  • Local classes and demonstrations, similar to adult education
  • Nationally advertised day courses

Given as gift tokens. Taster sessions with demonstrations. Simple short workshops/lectures

  • Team Building Corporate workshop days.
  • Local school visits, lectures and workshops:

To run alongside National Curriculum.

  • Shop & Gallery, /working studio:

Exhibition space and shop for materials and book sales, postcards etc. Commission on gallery sales/rent studio space.

  • Travelling demonstrations

Visit suitable venues to demonstrate and lecture "In situ".By offering taster sessions, encouragement would be given to attend more classes at the cell block.

  • Skills Agency

Using centre practitionrs/teachers and demonstrators to link with English Heritage, specialist companies and directly to the public.

 
Mid Term

Developing new ideas, adjusting courses and widening choice. Offering professional development. Marketing courses Internationally.

Long Term

To have established a reputation as a  centre of excellence, having firm links with heritage organisations, Portsmouth building Industry, schools, colleges and the University. To have trained the next generation of practitioners and raised the awareness of the importance of traditional decorative interior skills to the wider community.