MIX 2025: WRITING WITH TECHNOLOGIES Wednesday 2 July 2025 at Bath Spa Universitys Locksbrook Campus Now in its eighth year, Bath Spa Universitys MIX has established itself as an innovative forum for the discussion and exploration of writing and technology, bringing together researchers, writers, technologists and practitioners from around the world to make, think and talk. After our unique collaboration with the British Library in 2023, MIX 2025 will be hosted in the beautiful city of Bath at Bath Spa Universitys Locksbrook Campus. As part of our programme, New York Times bestselling writer and publisher Michael Bhaskar, currently working for Microsoft AI and co-author of the book The Coming Wave: AI, Power and the 21st Centurys Greatest Dilemma, will appear in conversation. Visitwww.mixconference.org [http://www.mixconference.org] for further information. If travel, ticket costs or other associated costs would be a barrier to you attending MIX 2025, we can offer support through our Access Fund. To apply, email [email protected] with details of the amount you are requesting.

In Quietly Alongside (Clay and Wellbeing), youll take part in small group sessions to explore and play with making with clay, focusing on enjoying hand building processes rather than an end result. You can photograph what you have made, and take away the clay to continue making, but we won't fire finished work in a kiln. This is a good taster session of an hour and a half, for all levels of experience. We will be outside by the river, under the willows (weather permitting) giving ourselves time and space making alongside each other to relax and feel our way. This course may get messy so please wear old clothes. The outside table is a round table with fixed stools on grass so please let us know in advance of access needs such as a wheelchair or mobility issues. Photo provided by doing together 2023 [https://data.bathspa.ac.uk/collections/Doing Together 2023/6904468].

Explore the vibrant world of Screenprinting through the lens of Henri Matisses paper cut-outs. This one-day course is ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills in a creative, supportive studio environment. Youll first learn how to draw with scissors and then create bold, abstract designs using paper stencils. You will then expose these shapes onto screens and print in layers to produce colourful, collaborative works on paper. Working both individually and as a group, youll gain a strong foundation in Screenprinting techniques from stencil-making and screen preparation to printing and registration. At the end of the course, youll have produced a selection of prints to display, including your own design. This course may get messy so please wear old clothes. All materials will be provided.

Create a series of bespoke fabrics in our one-day Introduction to Fabric Printing - Heat Press course. You will paint your design onto cartridge paper, which will then be applied directly onto the fabric using the heat press to create your custom designs. Youll then work with another Locksbrook textile technician in the afternoon to use a sewing machine to transform your bespoke fabric into cushion covers or tote bags. You can also use organic material such as flowers and leaves for this course, please bring these with you as they are not included in the course materials. Whether you are a beginner to fabric printing and sewing, or an experienced craftsperson this is an opportunity to work with some specialist equipment, expert tutors and take home bespoke, handmade goods. This course may get messy, so please wear old clothes.

Discover the art of Freehand Machine Embroidery in our half-day course. Youll create a design on paper either from an existing design, observational drawings using items at Locksbrook Campus, or abstract mark making. Youll then discover how to translate your design onto fabric using a Domestic Bernina sewing machine, exploring different colours and textures in the process. At the end of the course, youll have produced a piece of artwork that can be framed and displayed or used as an applique. Alternatively, you could bring along a shirt or bag youd like to decorate and embroider directly onto this to give your item a contemporary, upcycled feel. This course is open to those with no sewing machine experience and those who want to try out an effective and user-friendly method of embroidery that can easily be replicated at home. If you have a design in mind, you are welcome to bring along a photograph or piece of artwork you have already created. There will be time to create your design on the day.

Transform your digital photographs into Polymer Gravure prints in this one-day Photo Etching course. Youll use Photoshop to edit your photos before printing them onto acetate and transferring onto photo plates. Youll learn how to develop these plates and use the etching press to create your own prints, exploring the digital to analogue process of Photogravure. By the end of the course, you will have created at least one A5 Polymer Gravure print of your work. Youll need to bring 3 or 4 possible photographs on a memory stick. This course may get messy, so please wear old clothes. All materials, including aprons and gloves, will be provided.

In this one-day Linocut Printmaking course you'll learn how to cut and print your own lino-block, using specialist papers, excellent facilities and extensive equipment available at Locksbrook Campus. Jane Randfield, Technical Demonstrator: Etching and Lithography at Bath Spa University, will guide you throughout the day, supporting you to develop your ideas into print using this traditional process. You'll be shown how to transfer your idea to the lino-block and how to safely cut it, followed by an afternoon printing using traditional tools and vintage presses, as well as printing by hand. Please bring any ideas, sketches or photos that you would like to develop. This course is for all levels; from those who wish to enhance their own artistic work to beginners who would like to try a new process.

During this Handbuilding Ceramics taster course, youll be shown the hand making skills to create your own pieces from slab, coiling and pinching the clay, under the guidance and support of Louise Blois, Technical Demonstrator Ceramics at Bath Spa University. You'll then put this into practise by making pieces that you can then decorate. The facilities at Locksbrook Campus provide a wide range of coloured slips and underglazes, which will allow you to try mono printing, inlay and sgraffito to decorate your finished pieces. By the end of the course, youll have produced a series of custom ceramic pieces, which will then be fired for you to collect three four weeks later. Please bring along an apron or wear clothing you dont mind being dirty and covered in clay.

During this Throwing Ceramics taster course, youll be shown the basic throwing skills on the pottery wheel of how to centre, pull and create your own pots, under the guidance and support of Louise Blois, Technical Demonstrator Ceramics at Bath Spa University. You'll then put this into practise by using a pottery wheel to make pieces that you can then decorate. The facilities at Locksbrook Campus include potters wheels and a wide selection of throwing tools and decorative slips. By the end of the course, youll have produced a series of custom ceramic pieces, which will then be fired for you to collect three four weeks later. Please bring along an apron or wear clothing you dont mind being dirty and covered in clay.

Learn how to tuft on our one-day Tuft Your Own Rug course. Youll be introduced to an electric tufting gun and watch a demonstration to teach you the art of tufting, including how to change between cut and loop. You'll then be able to start tufting your design, using 100% wool and your choice of colours, with support from Zoe, our tufting technician. Once tufting is complete, we will then finish your piece to a professional standard; fixing your yarns in place, adding a backing, and shaving your piece to make it pop. Youll come away from the day with your very own 60x60cm rug or wall hanging, and a new skillset to show the world. Before the course starts, youll need to submit your custom design to be stencilled onto your fabric. You will be sent a guide on how to set up your design, including digital swatches of the coloured wools available to help with the design process.