Etwall - Well Dressing in the Making

About

Visitors are welcome to come and watch one of this year's well dressings being made in Etwall between 16th and 19th May 2022 (the week before the Festival). PLEASE TELEPHONE 07989 127013 FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

As anyone that visits will see, well dressings are made up of one or more wooden frames/boards onto which a picture or design is constructed.

This process begins by firstly applying clay onto a board to act as a base. However, prior to putting clay onto the board it has to be left to soak in John Port Spencer Academy lake for about a week. This is necessary because if wet clay is applied to a dry board, the boards will swell and the clay will crack.

Secondly, natural materials like coffee beans are used to make an outline of the design then finally, such items as twigs, wool and flower petals are placed / pressed on to the surface to create different colour effects. The materials used are dependent upon what is available during May, when Etwall's Well Dressing Festival takes place.

Each well dressing is a real cooperative effort, taking a team of local residents up to a week to create a work of art, usually in someone's garage or some other available space, that will last little more than a week.

Fancy trying your hand at making a well dressing?

If you would like to have a go at well dressing then come to Etwall Well Dressing Festival on the 21st or 22nd May 2022 and visit the demo tent where you will be able to give it a try under expert supervision.

Find us on Facebook: Etwall Well Dressing Association.