Public Engagements

Public engagement is an important part of my practice, allowing me to share my research into Georgian and Victorian hairwork through demonstrations, workshops and conversation.

I demonstrate historical hairwork techniques and create hands-on workshops where people can learn, make and experience the processes for themselves. Working directly with the materials and techniques creates opportunities to share knowledge that is often difficult to find in written records.

For me, public engagement is another way of bringing historical hairwork back into practice and allowing knowledge to be shared through making.

Demonstrations

My demonstrations bring historical hairwork techniques to life, showcasing how Georgian and Victorian hairwork was created and the skill, patience, and knowledge required for the process.

Through demonstrations in museums and other settings, I share techniques including tablework, wirework and other forms of Victorian hairwork, using original techniques and my own reconstructions to explore how these pieces were made.

Demonstrations also give me an opportunity to talk about the research behind the making, the materials themselves, and what can be learned through handling, observing and reconstructing historical hairwork.

Donna Lowson's Victorian table work demonstration at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, 2026. ©Donna Lowson

Workshops

My workshops offer the opportunity to learn and make using historical hairwork techniques. Drawing on my research and practical experience, I introduce participants to the materials, tools and processes used in Georgian and Victorian hairwork.

The workshops are hands-on and suitable for people interested in historical craft, hairwork, making and material research. I demonstrate the techniques, then support participants as they work through the processes themselves.

Working with the materials first-hand gives participants the opportunity to develop an understanding of the skill and knowledge involved in historical hairwork that cannot always be gained through looking at an object or reading about it.