I have a passion for making, with a wealth of teaching experience spanning over 22 years working with both adults and children with a variety of abilities, in colleges, schools. As well as arts organisations such as the Harpur Trust, EBP Bedfordshire, Saturday Morning Arts School and Bedford Borough Council learning disabilities day-care.

Whilst practising as an artist and craftsperson, I create ceramics, glass, illustrations, wood and mixed media pieces. I am currently setting up independent workshops, running from my studio and exhibiting in and around Bedfordshire.

I would like to offer engaging, confidence building workshops specialising in drawing and mark-making, using a variety of mediums including Japanese bamboo ink illustration. Ceramic sessions include hand building, surface texture techniques and decorative slip application; I am also able to demonstrate ceramic throwing using electric wheels.

Other suggested workshops include murals, 3D models using mixed media, sculptural basketry, ceramic gargoyle / green man making, mosaic tiles, recycled furniture / light forms, set design, glass – fusing and slumping, wire sculptures and jewellery making.

As a selected artist for the Harpur Trust 450th Anniversary Competition, I developed and ran workshops within schools; student artworks were selected and exhibited at The Higgins, Bedford.

‘As a Visiting Artist for The Harpur Trust during its 450th anniversary celebration year, Amanda Silk delivered some truly inspiring workshops for local school children, resulting in some superb artwork that featured prominently in our exhibition at the Higgins. Her response to the brief given to her was imaginative, unique and exciting.’ – Sarah Elam, Harpur Trust

‘The professionalism, subject knowledge, organisation and dissemination of resources ensured that students were able to have an enriched learning experience.’ – Mr Daron Hutchinson, Art Lead, Marston Vale Middle