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3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 AUGUST 2025 ART MSA announces winter courses featuring vibrant new offerings THE Malta Society of Arts (MSA) is thrilled to announce the launch of its Winter 2025 courses pro- gramme, an exciting season of creative exploration running from October through January at its historic home in Valletta. This year's line-up skilfully weaves to- gether traditional craftsmanship and innovative expression, with a rich array of new vibrant course offerings, including the brand- new Filigree class. Participants can delve into the timeless art of bookbinding – and learn how to assemble and bind handcrafted books through hands-on exploration of mate- rials and techniques. Applicants who enrol in the Cast Drawing and Painting Workshop will have the opportunity to copy sculpture casts of the past masters, gaining insight into how artists of previ- ous eras solved technical and con- ceptual challenges in their works. For those drawn to three-di- mensional art, the Ceramic Pots: Hand-Building Masterclass offers an immersive experience in shap- ing clay by hand – crafting func- tional and decorative vessels while mastering textural and structural skills. Meanwhile, the Create and Publish – A Digital Storybook workshop bridges artistic story- telling with modern technology, guiding participants through the process of creating illustrated nar- ratives and turning them into digi- tal books ready to share online. Textiles and textures take centre stage in Batik Art, allowing stu- dents to experiment with wax-re- sist dyeing to create vibrant, patterned fabrics. Another new course focused on embellishing fabrics is Advanced Embroidery, for those who have completed the beginners course, and who can move on to intricate stitches and create more refined designs. Another new addition will teach the traditional craft of Ganutell, in which participants will shape wire and beads into floral motifs – requiring a combination of pa- tience and precision. Patience is also needed for Nuts about Knots: Macramé Christmas Decorations, a course that captures the festive spirit by guiding crafters in knot- ting beautiful, seasonal décor per- fect for the holidays. The Introduction to Art History and Studio Practice is a new learn- ing opportunity that blends the exploration of artistic movements with practical studio exercises. Students will learn the fundamen- tals of studio art practices in draw- ing, painting, printmaking and mixed media, and further apply these skills to other areas of their practice, such as being a studio artist, student, teacher, researcher or community artist. Budding artists aged 11 and over can develop their skills in Pencil Drawing, honing obser- vational accuracy, shading, and form through structured exercises adapted for young learners. Older pencil enthusiasts need not panic, as those aged 16 and over can join the second iteration of the Pen- cil & Charcoal Drawing course to study theoretical and practical approaches to drawing using pen- cils and charcoal. Additionally, the MSA is introducing a Filigree class, delving into the delicate art of manipulating fine metal wires into ornate designs, drawing on Malta's rich heritage in fine metal- work. This course is co-funded by the European Union through the Directorate for Lifelong Learning and Early School Leavers (DLLL & ESL) within the Ministry for Education and Employment. It is the first time that the MSA is col- laborating with this Ministry to promote lifelong learning courses, and the MSA is hoping for more funded projects in the near future. On top of these new classes and workshops, the MSA will also be offering other popular courses such as Creative Writing, Nude Human Figure, Lace-Making, Sewing, Crochet, Tailoring, Knit- ting, Dressmaking, music courses, and many other visual arts courses catering for all ages and skill levels. "The Malta Society of Arts is proud to offer a dynamic blend of courses this season, from new classes like digital storybook creation and book binding to long-standing favourites like hu- man figure and dressmaking," says Roderick Camilleri, Acting President of the Malta Society of Arts. "Our goal is to provide a cre- ative outlet for everyone through hands-on education in a wide range of media." Early registration is encour- aged – spaces are limited and the new offerings are expected to fill quickly. Visit the MSA web- site for full details, schedule, and enrolment information at www. artsmalta.org/courses-winter/.