Make Your Own Mini Assemblage
With multi award winning artist Maria Atanacković
Ardgillan Castle, Co. Dublin
Saturday 28th February | 10am – 4pm
Cost: €150 (all materials included)
Join us for a one-day creative workshop in the inspiring surroundings of Ardgillan Castle, where you’ll design and create your own mini wall assemblage using birch ply and laser-cut techniques.
Guided by contemporary artist Maria Atanacković, this hands-on class is perfect for anyone interested in art, design, architecture or making, no prior drawing or making experience required.
What to Expect
We’ll begin the day by meeting in Maria’s studio at 10am, where she will introduce her artistic practice and share examples of her own assemblage work. Maria works in a beautifully pared-back, minimalist way, so this workshop focuses on simple shapes, ideas and observation rather than technical drawing skills.
Morning: Research & Inspiration
We’ll explore the architecture of Ardgillan Castle and its surrounding gardens, gathering visual inspiration through simple sketches and observation. This stage is about collecting ideas, noticing forms, structures and details.
● If the weather is good, we’ll work outdoors in the grounds.
● If the weather is very wet, we’ll work inside the castle.
Either way, you’ll build a small collection of visual research to inform your design.
Design & Development
Back in the studio, Maria will guide you through:
● Developing your ideas into simple abstract shapes
● Translating sketches into a clear design
● Exploring colour and composition
● Transforming your concept into a final assemblage design
Maria will then help digitise your design in preparation for laser cutting.
Lunch
Bring your own lunch or enjoy the café in the castle grounds.
Afternoon: Making
After lunch, we’ll use Maria’s xTool laser cutter to cut your designs from birch ply. You’ll then assemble, colour and finish your piece, creating a unique wall-mounted artwork.
What You’ll Leave With
● Your own finished mini wall assemblage
● New skills in design thinking, composition and laser-cut making
● A unique artwork ready to hang in your home
This is a relaxed, supportive and inspiring day of making, ideal for beginners and experienced creatives alike. No technical skills needed, just curiosity and a willingness to explore new ways of making and being creative