Basket: 
Reader-in-Residence for Redcar & Cleveland Libraries Kat Lynas introduces her map making workshop.
I’ve always loved discovering maps in books. It started with childhood reads like the map of the Hundred-Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh, through to classics like Tolkien’s Middle-earth and many more besides.
The original map of the Hundred-acre Wood, published in the opening end-papers of the 1926 first edition of Winnie-the-Pooh by Ernest Howard Shepard
A map made the story feel more real, grounded in place. Seeing the locations our heroes would travel to, a map offered a clue to what might be discovered along the way.
I like to use map making in my writing process. It helps me to visualise the world I’m creating, work out the relative distances and scale of the world. Sometimes, the map will shape the writing as it encourages me to image what could be over the next hill.
For this workshop I invite you to join me in explore map-making as a creative and expressive practice. The session begins with time spent looking closely at fictional and historical maps. Together, we’ll notice their details, symbols and the ways they can suggest narratives.
You’ll then be guided through making your own map of an imagined place. Using drawing, collage and simple prompts, you’ll imagine a new world.
Join me at Redcar Library on 20th May from 6.30-8.30pm
No drawing experience needed, just curiosity. All materials provided.
