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2. In the Boro Spirit
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3. The Thinking Eye
Instructor: Rosalie Dace
Join me an in depth investigation into the artistry and magic of the famous 20th century artist Paul Klee. After looking closely at his amazing work, be inspired by his sensitive playfulness and enchantment to create a new whimsical or abstract quilt of your own. We will learn even more through slides and other exciting visual material. Techniques will include skinny-line piecing and working with sheers, while focusing on abstract blocks, line, and colour.
Paul Klee used many different styles. You will have the opportunity to choose one of these as your inspiration. Look up his work online or find a book on his work and look carefully at his colour choice to help you select your fabrics. You will have a choice of working in sheers/transparencies to get the effect of watercolour, or in solids and hand-dyes or both.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Independent Study, Sewing
Student Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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4. Independent Study (7 days)
Instructor: Jane Dunnewold
Investing time and energy in an extended exploration of work - whether it is a single piece, a series that's already under way, or planning for something completely new - is one of the gifts we can give ourselves as artists. Come prepared to spend the week learning and and growing, with regular feedback from Jane. Our days will include regular consults, group critiques, and check-ins as the week unfolds. The $50 class fee is for an extra table and an extra design board – it is included in the class fee upon upon registration. This class must be taken in conjunction with class #10.
Sewing Machine: Optional
Class Fee: $50
Medium/Technique: Independent Study
Student Level: All
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5. Industrial Felt: Stitching, Drawing & Building
Instructor: Deborah Griffing
Let’s explore hand sewing on industrial felt, a unique, sturdy, eco-friendly material. We’ll combine it with upcycled and found fabrics, various papers and recycled plastic to make dimensional wall hangings or free-standing objects that can include pockets, small stitched dolls, moveable parts, miniature books, abstract shapes, and more. Deborah will also introduce mark making techniques on fabric and the use of thread as a means to create line and texture.
Sewing Machine: No
Supplies Fee: $25
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Dyeing, Hand Stitching, Sewing, Paper, Mixed-Media, Collage, Other: Mono Printing
Student Level: All
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6. Big Botany-Abstraction through Color, Pattern, and Repetition
Instructor: Maria Shell
Each student will start with a selection of personal photographs of their botanical image which can be as simple as a single flower and as complex as a Birch Stand. Students will use these images to create a composite sketch. That sketch is then blown up and filled in with unique color, pattern, and repetition. Each day will start with a lecture and conversation along with one on one student consultations. The final day will be a big TADA with a each student sharing their work and what they have learned.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Independent Study, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Other: Improv Patchwork
Student Level: Intermediate
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Session 2: June 3-June 4, 2023 (two-day classes, $340) |
7. Collage with Stitch
Instructor: Clare Murray Adams
Applique with fabric and collage on paper have lots of common ground. Through guided exercises you will discover the similarities and differences in these two approaches. Fabric will be applied to paper and paper will be adhered to fabric. Blending the two techniques together students will create works with visual texture and depth through layering and stitching, either by hand or on the machine. We will explore using stitch as a drawing line and the use of nontraditional embellishments. For the embellishments think beyond buttons and beads. This mixed media approach to creating collages can incorporate colored pencils, watercolor, and acrylic paint on the paper and fabric substrates.
Sewing Machine: Optional
Supplies Fee: $12
Medium/Technique: Hand Stitching, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Paper, Mixed-Media, Collage
Student Level: All
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8. Hand Embellishment with Beads & Embroidery Thread
Instructor: Lisa Binkley
Come to class with a fiber art piece of your own creation that you would like to embellish with beads and embroidery threads. This could be a small art quilt, a weaving, a hand-made felted piece, or other form of fiber art, as long as it can comfortably be stitched through by hand with thick thread. During our weekend together, we’ll explore a wide range of stitches with seed beads and novelty beads as well as various weights of embroidery threads to add texture, color, contrast, and distinction to your fiber art. This class emphasizes mark making with threads and beads rather than traditional hand embroidery stitches. We’ll explore ways to add line, movement, translucent overlays, and other unusual visual effects through the application of stitches made with beads and with embroidery threads. This class is open to all levels of experience, but some experience with hand stitching is important.
Sewing Machine: No
Supplies Fee: $15
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Mixed- Media, Hand Beading, Other: Hand Embroidery/Quilting
Student Level: All
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9. Signs and Symbols
Instructor: Rosalie Dace
Signs and symbols are everywhere around us. From honey bees and hands, to circles, arrows and eyes, people have used symbols for thousands of years to understand and communicate. After discovering fascinating symbolic signs, symbols, and meanings, use your own individual symbol to make a meaningful and personal quilt top that portrays your individual identity. The emphasis will be on shape, color, and line. Techniques will be demonstrated as needed.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Machine Quilting, Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Independent Study, Design/Composition/Color Theory
Student Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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10. Independent Study
Instructor: Jane Dunnewold
Please see description from class 4. This class must be taken in conjunction with class 4. This class is offered only as a 7-day class.
Sewing Machine: Optional
Medium/Technique: Independent Study
Student Level: All
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11. Layered Surfaces: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking & Collage
Instructor: Deborah Griffing
Let’s create with no destination in mind! No “fine arts” experience is required. It’s a chance to try out a variety of art materials and techniques. We’ll explore a multimedia approach using clay boards. Their smooth, absorbent surface has a hardboard substrate coated with an archival clay ground. Experiment with drawing, painting and collaging techniques, building up or removing layers of color and creating textures by carving, scratching or sanding the surface.
The boards can double as a printing surface. I will also introduce you to printmaking techniques including monoprinting, drypoint, and deconstructed silk screens. The paper prints we generate will be used as collage elements, ready to be integrated into the manipulated surface of the clay boards.
In my own art, I usually start by documenting my thoughts through drawing, creating a visual journal, a skeleton of shapes and ideas. This becomes a conversation of sorts between myself and the surface I am working on. The emphasis will be on process, experimentation, and exploration.
Sewing Machine: No
Supplies Fee: $30
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Paper, Mixed-Media, Collage, Screen Printing, Other: Print Making
Student Level: All
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12. Beadify Your Universe
Instructor: Becky Hancock
If you love beads and embellishments, this is the class for you! Becky brings the beads, embellishments, and tools. We’ll learn basic jewelry construction for earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Students can hand-stitch beads onto sculptural 3-D felt objects or learn how to make a beaded mixed-media Cosmic Joy Mojonator, which is scientifically shown to keep joy particles resonating in your environment! The possibilities are endless!
Sewing Machine: Optional
Supplies Fee: $45
Medium/Technique: Hand Stitching, Sewing, Mixed-Media, 3-D, Hand Beading
Student Level: All
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13. Circle & Curve Sampler
Instructor: Maria Shell
A complete discussion of all the ways you can improvisation-ally PIECE circles and curves. From braided curves to log cabin circles, students will be lead through a series of demos about non-linear improvisational piecing techniques and ideas for taking these techniques and creating original quilts. During the class, students create a collection of circle and curve quilt blocks–great for a sampler. We typically cover 12-15 different types of improv pieced circles and curves. Take your curved piecing to the next level!
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Independent Study, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Other: Improv Patchwork
Student Level: All
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Session 3: June 5–9, 2023 (Five-day classes, $650) |
14. Concept to Quilt
Instructor: Rosalie Dace
Move from idea to finished work, creating a small quilt while negotiating the passions and pitfalls along the way. We’ll work through questions we all ask: Where do I start? How do I sort through my ideas? What do I leave out? What techniques do I use? Rosalie will demonstrate various approaches and techniques to help bring your piece to completion As you sew, you may be wondering “What if I simply loathe what I have done? Or “How do I deal with rejection…and whose opinion do I value anyway?”
This is a practical class with plenty of hands-on work time, where you will be part of both group and individual problem solving. Presentations show how other artists have worked with different individual solutions and possibilities to making original art. We will also consider when and whether to enter shows and how to choose the best ones for your work.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Independent Study, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory
Student Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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15. Inspired by Archetypes: Discovering Imagery for Your Work in a New Way
Instructor: Jane Dunnewold
Understanding the symbolic nature of archetypes, and working with them as inspiration for art work, is at the heart of this workshop. Many theorists have written about the role archetypes play in our understanding of human experience, and have suggested we all have archetypal patterns that we recognize easily in each other! Archetypes are a sort of shorthand for the many recognizable personality traits and qualities we all share.
The fun begins when we, as artists, study our personal archetypes intending to use them as inspiration for making art. Think of it as an extension of your visual language by recognizing what colors, images and design elements mean to you. Once you have identified your connection to these elements, and even textures and patterns, you have the tools you need to make work that is distinctively your own!
Anyone who has perfected a few skill sets in any medium will benefit from this workshop. Participants will receive a few reading assignments and suggestions about how to prepare prior to the workshop’s start. Our on site time will be spent balancing directed conversations with active development of an archetypal visual language, and lots of hands-on play. This is a joyful process, so come prepared to think deep and play hard!
Sewing Machine: Optional
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Other: Any
Student Level: All
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16. Mindful Mixed Media & Art Quilts
Instructor: Deborah Fell
In creating an art quilt, our primary component is cloth. What about other less traditional but beautiful elements like handmade art papers? Let’s learn to modify and stabilize unexpected materials, building them into an art quilt's surface design. We will lay the foundation for creating a more dimensional surface by experimenting with a progression of mark-making studies, using paints, gel medium, paper and unconventional materials. The goal is to mindfully incorporate mixed media materials with art quilting, increasing texture and surface possibilities without compromising the stability of the quilt. This mixed media play workshop will allow you to step gently out of your comfort zone in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: $25
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Mixed-Media
Student Level: All
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17. Light & Lacy
Instructor: Valerie Goodwin
Create lovely collages using shapes such as map elements, floral motifs, geometric patterns and shapes using opaque and sheer fabrics. Explore the potential of intricately cut surfaces created with the Silhouette Cameo electronic cutter. This popular machine provides precision cutting that leads to beautiful detail. Valerie will also provide the opportunity to work with elements that are pre-cut w with a laser cutter.
MATERIALS: Silk organza, kimono scraps, micro fiber fabric (Evolon) and Lutradur are among the ingredients for this fun and creative workshop.
TECHNIQUES: Electronic cutting, hand stitching, painting, fusing and other mixed media methods.
DESIGN GOALS: To create light & lacy compositions based on the exploration of: solids and voids plus layering and transparency.
Valerie will teach you step-by-step how to use the Silhouette Cameo software to cut hand sketched and downloaded copy-right free designs and shapes. Students will also learn how to use these images in the Cameo software and cut it with the machine. These cut elements will be incorporated in your artwork to create lace-like fiber art. The aim of this experience is to give you ample opportunity for experimentation.
Sewing Machine: Optional
Supplies Fee: $40
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Mixed-Media, Collage, Other: Beginner Instruction on Use of the Silhoeutte Cameo Electric Cutter
Student Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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18. At Play in the Garden of Stitch
Instructor: Paula Kovarik
Let’s focus on free-motion quilting and composition. Stitching in artwork begins with an expressive line. Loosen up and explore new territory with line and stitch. Consider the character of line through simple drawing, composition and stitching exercises. Play with ways to create pattern, layers and narratives through stitch. Re-using quilts as raw materials can be liberating and challenging. Let your imagination run wild by cutting up your quilted pieces and recomposing them into something new.
• First we make a mess. Begin to see that line is active and reactive. There are no mistakes!
• Embrace the wonky. Learn to make the most of whatever occurs by joining ideas to line motifs to see what develops.
• Think in thread. Translate visual stimuli into pathways by stitching in a continuous line.
• Cut it up! Use your stitching samples to create unique compositions.
Participants will accumulate a toolbox of techniques for seeing, interpreting and completing concept-driven work. Build your stitching vocabulary and trust the thread to tell your story. Open to all skill levels, free-motion quilting experience a plus.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Machine Quilting, Hand Stitching, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Collage
Student Level: All
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19. Print & Play
Instructor: Kevin Womack
Explore your design potential in this fun, process-oriented surface-design workshop. Working with thickened fabric dyes, we will sample a myriad of ways to add pattern to cloth. Try stamping, stenciling, underlayments, mark-making, and various methods of printing with silkscreens while exploring color theory and design. An emphasis on improvisation using impromptu methods will help you produce unique cloth with complex imagery. Come prepared to have fun, get messy, and play!
Sewing Machine: No
Class Fee: $60
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Dyeing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Screen Printing
Student Level: All
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Session 4: June 10–11, 2023 (Two-day classes, $340) |
20. Branch Out
Instructor: Rosalie Dace
Nature has crafted trees to be the largest life forms that have ever existed on our planet. They have given shelter, shade, food, and inspiration for centuries to artists, poets and storytellers. Let us celebrate their beauty and diversity by using them as a basis for composition and design.
Discover the different shapes, patterns, lines, textures , colours, and symbolism of trees. We will experiment with design, using a variety of piecing and appliqué techniques to make a beautiful quilt top. Your options include foundation piecing, block making and a variety of appliqué techniques (hand, machine, and reverse). There will be a feast of visual inspiration as well as discussions on embroidery, quilting, and finishing. You may choose to make representational tree images, or branch out into something completely new.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: None
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Independent Study, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory
Student Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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21. Tag You're It
Instructor: Deborah Fell
Let’s use mixed media to celebrate beauty through a tiny, limited lens. Practice your compositional skills while having fun and giving yourself permission to play! Using cardstock tags, students will create a series of small art studies that relate to each other. We will paint, make marks, build compositions, and alter materials. Everything will focus on design. Imperfection and experimentation are encouraged. These small, themed compositional studies will be transformed into a final project.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: $25
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Paper, Mixed-Media, Collage, Other: Painting
Student Level: All
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22. Monoprinted Map Collage
Instructor: Valerie Goodwin
Learn the fun of creating a one-of-a-kind map collage. We will explore basic monoprinting onto a non-woven fabric using a gelatin plate. Subtractive and additive, ghost printing, masking, and tracing techniques will be introduced. You will make a beautiful surface that becomes the base for a simple map using fusible collage methods. This experience is designed to inspire you to explore and to play with new processes. This is a non-technical workshop, We will play with color, texture, surface, line, and shape. Come with a willingness to be inventive and experiment. Although machine stitching is an option, hand stitching is a key part of the workshop.
The instructor will provide nonwoven fabric sheets, crinoline, unique fabric bits as well as fusible laser cut map lines and shapes to enhance the collage-making process.
To jumpstart your creativity, bring the following:
• Color scheme ideas – a magazine, a painting, or a photograph.
• A few images of simple maps whose lines and shape appeal to you printed onto 8-1/2” x 11” paper. Snazzymaps.com is a great website to use.
Sewing Machine: Optional
Supplies Fee: $20
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Hand Stitching, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Mixed-Media, Collage, Other: Beginner Instruction on the Use of Silhouette Cameo Electric Cutter
Student Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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23. Gestural Inspiration
Instructor: Paula Kovarik
Most`fiber art begins with an expressive line. Let’s play with pens and learn to make doodles work for you. Use line to direct the eye, create texture, tell a story and express ideas. Lines can be emotional, structural, energetic or static. We will focus on the character of lines through simple drawing and composition exercises. You will find that these also translate over to machine or hand stitching, screen print designs or drawing directly on fabric. Paula will demonstrate her free motion quilting and discuss trouble-shooting. Bring a sewing machine if you’d like to sew along. Most of our work will be done with paper and pen. But for those of you who want to experiment with stitch bring your sewing machine.
• First we make a mess. Begin to see that line is active and reactive. Have fun with gestures.
• Embrace the wonky. Learn to make the most of whatever occurs. There are no mistakes.
• Play with story. Tell a story by drawing a continuous line or build a composition that morphs from one style to another.
• Layer up. Experiment with transparency and layers by adding patterns over patterns.
Sewing Machine: Yes
Supplies Fee: $10
Medium/Technique: Machine Quilting, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Paper, Mixed-Media, Collage
Student Level: All
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24. Printing Possibilities
Instructor: Kevin Womack
Prepare to be amazed at the versatility of the silkscreen. In this fun, process-oriented workshop, explore the varied ways of applying patterns to cloth using this valuable surface design tool. My techniques stress spontaneity with an emphasis on improvisation, allowing your design spirit to soar. I provide the thickened dyes and demonstrate multiple methods of producing complex imagery. You supply the fabric, screens, and a few tools and let your imagination run wild. Come prepared to have fun and discover the possibilities!
Sewing Machine: No
Supplies Fee: $30
Medium/Technique: Surface Design, Dyeing, Sewing, Design/Composition/Color Theory, Screen Printing
Student Level: All
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