Signwrite Your Own Ornate Letter
Workshop with Amy Goodwin
Friday 8 May 2026, 10.30am - 4.30pm
£75
Venue: MAKE Southwest
Suitable for: Adults
Level: Beginners
Amy is exhibiting in our fascinating exhibition Staying Alive: Endangered crafts of the Southwest of England, co-curated by Heritage Crafts, on show in our Jubilee Gallery 2 May - 4 July.
Join fairground artist and Staying Alive exhibitor, Amy Goodwin, to learn how to signwrite your own ornate letter.
This one-day workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to create an ornate, hand-painted letter and to gain an initial grounding in the principles of traditional signwriting – from crafting letterforms to brush techniques.
Over the day, participants will work on the design and production of their own hand-painted letter, experimenting with colour and ideas around the ‘ornament’ – exploring how to add embellishments to the letter to make it visually aesthetic, such as highlights, shadows and details.
Please note: This workshop involves both drawing and painting (using enamel paint and white spirit – the workshop will be in a ventilated space with an air purifier).
No previous experience of signwriting is necessary. This workshop is open to complete beginners or participants with previous experience of signwriting or other art / craft forms.
Participants must be aged 18 years or older.
On the Day
All tools and materials will be provided. Please do wear comfortable / old clothing - aprons will be provided if needed.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are included and will be available on the day. There will be a short lunch break during the workshop and participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch. Our Café is also open should you wish to purchase other refreshments during the workshop.
Workshop participants get 10% off in Rodney’s Café, our exhibitions, and our shop on the day of the workshop! Just show your booking confirmation email or your ticket at the till to receive your discount.
On arrival, please enter the building via the shop, follow the arrows to the café, through the galleries and up the internal stairs. Make your way through the café and through the glass double doors to the workshop. Please let us know if you require the lift.
Please be aware that you cannot use the Co-op car park for all day parking. The Methodist Church car park and Station Road car park usually have plenty of spaces. Click here for more information on our location and car parking for the day.
View MAKE Southwest's Cancellation Policy, HERE.
About the tutor
Dr Amy Goodwin is a traditional signwriter, fairground artist and lecturer. Her signwriting work is undertaken by hand – with no digital assistance or tape – and she works to commission, predominantly in the fairground, circus and steam heritage industries, and occasionally in TV and film. Alongside this, she lectures on MA Illustration at Falmouth University and BA Illustration at the University of Plymouth.
In 2020 she was awarded a Practice-Led PhD for her work re-establishing the identities of 20th Century travelling fairground females through the construction of an archive as illustrated space. Amy’s work has been exhibited in many galleries and museums – including at the V&A, Cecil Sharp House, Guest Projects and APT Gallery. Her work forms part of the collection at The Yale Centre for British Art and has been featured in showcases for London Design Week and at other crafts-based events.
