25–30 March 2026 · 6 days / 5 nights

Art Textiles Retreat

With Matthew Harris

Past retreat

As early spring begins to unfold, the winter studio in our Victorian Lodge House will become our creative home — a warm, light-filled space for making and reflection.

Illustrated workshop building at Court House Farm

Illustrated stable range at Court House Farm

The retreat

Your time at the Manor

Day by day

Dates 25–30 March 2026 · 6 days / 5 nights
Skill level All levels welcome

As early spring begins to unfold, the winter studio in our Victorian Lodge House will become our creative home — a warm, light-filled space for making and reflection. The gardens across the estate will provide moments of calm and inspiration, with the first signs of growth appearing after winter’s rest.

Over six immersive days, Chain Reaction invites you to explore how ideas evolve — how drawing becomes cloth, and how process becomes story. You’ll move between hands-on workshops, reflection time, and shared seasonal meals in the Manor House. Evenings will be spent fireside, surrounded by conversation, inspiration, and good company.

Matthew will guide you through his project “Chain Reaction: One Thing Leads to Another,” encouraging you to discover how continuity, change, and narrative unfold through making.

What you’ll do

• Begin with a collection of items — precious, ephemeral, or curious
• Explore colour, texture, pattern, and form through drawing, painting, collage, appliqué, and stitch
• Develop ideas along a 3.5-metre length of cloth, recording transformation and process
• Experiment with repetition, distortion, stretching, and layering to reveal rhythm and narrative
• Create a richly worked piece — a finished object or the beginnings of a new piece

What's included

5 nights’ accommodation
All meals
Refreshments
Expert tuition
Inspiring talks
Studio time
Activities
And local visits

What to bring & other costs

As a residential guest, expect delicious fresh food created by our wonderful chef Kirstie, as well as tea, coffee and more throughout the day, and the bar is open for you from 6pm.

Matthew Harris

Your tutor

Good company.

Expert guidance.

Matthew Harris creates works in both paper and cloth, employing painting, cutting, and hand-stitching techniques. His improvisational process transforms observational drawings into layered, tactile textile pieces.

He has exhibited widely across the UK, Europe, the US, and Japan. His work is held in the Crafts Council Collection, the Whitworth Museum, the International Quilt Museum (Nebraska), and more. Notable projects include Scorched for the Bristol Beacon Concert Hall and Field Notes, a collaboration with composer Howard Skempton.

Matthew lives and works in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

matthewharriscloth.co.uk

In their own words