Name: Victorian Hair Work Workshop with artist & researcher Donna Lowson
Start: 2026-04-19T11:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-19T13:00:00+01:00
Location: The Crescent, SK17 6BH Buxton, United Kingdom

Victorian Hair Work Workshop with artist & researcher Donna Lowson
📅 19th April & 17th May: 11am to 1pm (2 hr sessions)
📍 The Assembly Room
⏱ 2 hours
• Max 10 participants per session
Step into a unique creative experience that bridges Victorian craft, material history, and contemporary art. Join artist and practice-led researcher Donna Lowson for a hands-on Victorian hair art workshop, where you’ll learn to create delicate floral forms inspired by a historical tradition rich with meaning. Donna works with hair as both material and metaphor, transforming what is often discarded into tactile, thoughtful art.
Using human hair sourced from salon waste—alongside synthetic hair for anyone who prefers not to work with biological material—she explores identity, memory, material afterlives, and the stories we overlook. Her practice revives the forgotten craft of Victorian hairwork while inviting new interpretations that connect past and present in surprising ways.
What to Expect
-Meet Donna, hear about her artistic journey from hairdresser to conceptual artist, and learn about the social and cultural significance of Victorian hair art.
-Historical insights & examples
-Discover original Victorian hair art and contemporary interpretations, exploring how materials carry meaning across time.
Materials overview & demonstration
-Get familiar with tools and techniques and watch a live demonstration of key methods.
-Hands-on creation
-Craft your own hair flowers with guided support. Donna will circulate to offer tips and encourage individual expression.

Practical Info
-Materials provided (including synthetic hair options)
-Limited to 10 participants for an intimate, hands-on experience
-Ages 16 + for the workshop
Whether you’re curious about craft, history, materiality, or art, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to engage creatively with a tradition that links personal sentiment and collective memory.