Earthline Arts

Creative, nature-inspired workshops for young people

in rural Somerset & Dorset

Earthline Arts is an arts partnership founded by artist-educators Tabatha Palmer and Deborah Johnson, working in rural Somerset and committed to delivering thoughtful, hands-on creative workshops for young people and families. Our work is grounded in a deep connection to the land, the seasons, and the power of ‘making’ as a way to explore, reflect, and build confidence.

We run artist-led sessions in photography, printmaking, ceramics, pigment making, expressive drawing, weaving and more - often using traditional or sustainable techniques that allow participants to slow down, observe and experiment. Our workshops are process-focused, encouraging curiosity, collaboration and resourcefulness in relaxed and inclusive settings.

Earthline Arts workshops take place in community venues, schools, village halls and outdoor spaces. They are designed to be as accessible, welcoming and inspiring as possible. We also host pop-up events in unexpected places, using portable equipment and recycled or natural materials wherever we can.

Whether it’s making weather-drawing machines on the hills, crafting clay vessels with wild clay, making our own natural pigments or experimenting with pinhole and alternative photography techniques, our aim is to spark creativity and connections, and encourage people of all ages - allowing them the time and space to explore what they can do in safe and creative places.

Our Faraway Places - Pinhole Photography Exhibition - April /May 2024

Perrott School Pinholers have been inspired by West Country Photographer Michael Jackson and his photographic series “A Child’s Landscape.”

Mr. Jackson was interested in the idea of a landscape created in a child’s mind made from small objects and how some of these mini landscapes were akin to discovering a new world. 

His photographs are all poignantly named, as new explorers would name new worlds.

The Perrott Pinholers used small stones to create their own imaginary landscapes and took photographs. 

There is a magic that happens with Pinhole Photography when developing images in the darkroom watching images emerge through the dim red light onto the white paper, like icebergs emerging through dense coastal fog.

Pinholers enjoyed naming their new found lands, a small selection are displayed below for you to see. The full exhibition is now on display in The Grundy Hall at Perrott Hill School and will then be moved to Mallabones cafe, Misterton.

To delve deeper into these magical worlds, play the sound file below and listen to the sound of faraway coastlines.

All our pinhole images are printed from our paper negatives. 

We are able to make positive prints from each negative and each positive has its own unique qualities.

If you are interested in purchasing a photograph from “Our Faraway Places” please get in touch for an order form and to arrange payment of £20 per framed photograph.

You will be contacted in around seven days when your carefully hand-printed and artfully framed photograph will be ready to collect.

All profits from the sale of “Our Faraway Places” will be split between Perrott Hill Art Department's fundraising scheme for a digital multimedia suite and The Sealife Trust.

Thank you for looking and for your support.

Pinhole Photograph
Pinhole Photograph
Pinhole Photograph

Earthline Arts is a partnership between:

Tabatha - a practicing Artist, National Geographic Educator and Head of Art at Perrott Hill School

and Deborah - a nationally published, Commercial and Family Photographer, Digital Artist, Retoucher and Educator

… on a mission to make art accessible and fun for all

Private Bookings | Photography training and workshops

We work with schools, clubs and privately with individuals and small groups offering bespoke workshops and training in digital and alternative photography techniques.

We are DBS checked and undergo regular safeguarding training with the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Learn how to get the most from your DSLR (private bookings)

£75 per person - minimum 2 people for half a day

One to one and group photographic training:

Family photography - Camera settings. Capturing your family in the best light. How get the best natural expressions and capture all those special moments.

Getting out of manual - Understanding how you control the light captured by your camera, and how Aperture, Exposure and ISO relate and influence each other

Capturing movement - Camera settings for sport, wildlife and movement in nature

Landscape and Environment - Camera settings, looking for light and composition at a suitable location in Somerset, Devon and Dorset for the season

Pinhole and Alternative Photography (private bookings)

£85 per person - minimum 2 people for half a day

Ditch the digital and join us for a Pinhole Photography workshop. Together we load cameras, take photographs and watch the real time magic of silver halides changing state in front of us.

Pinhole photography is one...photograph...at...a...time. Time to look. Time to think. Time to wonder.

This is a gentle and artistic experience, not a technical one and you will not be bamboozled with complex maths or chemistry for this workshop.

There is nothing like seeing your first pinhole photograph emerge from the swishing of chemicals under a red light.

One shot is all it takes!

Photography workshops for schools and clubs

Enrichment classes and workshops in Pinhole and alternative photography or studies in light and photography.

Collaboration with forest school, science and art and departments to enhance understanding in light and/or alternative photography techniques with creative and scientific activities including:

  • Pinhole Photography

  • Chemigrams

  • Walk in Camera Obscura

  • Understanding Shutter Speed

  • Understanding Aperture

  • Light painting

  • Composition

  • Create a photographic Book Cover

    Book for a half or a full day and ask about discounts for block or regular bookings.