Welding for Teens

In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into one-of-a-kind cast-paper sculptures. Beginning with dry abaca pulp, participants learn to reconstitute, beat, dye, and cast sheets using a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper, with its long fibers and impressive wet strength, is ideal for sculptural manipulation. Students mold wet sheets onto objects brought from home, found in the studio, or discovered in the environment. Sewing and gluing techniques are used to combine dried paper forms into cohesive sculptural creations. By the end of the week, students gain a versatile set of paper-making and sculptural skills that can be adapted to any studio environment.

Finger weaving is a centuries-old, tool-free technique in which strands are interlaced by hand to create strong, flexible, and visually striking patterns. This workshop examines both the traditional foundations of the method and its contemporary possibilities, emphasizing how simple materials—rope, cords, or unconventional fibers—can be transformed into intricate woven structures. Participants explore the principles of tension, patterning, and rhythm, developing a deep tactile understanding of the material. Exercises encourage experimentation with scale, form, and texture, allowing students to push the boundaries of conventional weaving. Over the course of the workshop, students create several experimental sculptures, combining traditional techniques with inventive approaches. Participants leave with both practical skills and a creative framework for integrating finger weaving into their broader studio practice.

Discover the many possibilities of working in mixed media incorporated with quilting techniques to create colorful and vibrant compositions. With an experimental approach to quilting, students use appliqué, cyanotype, photographic images printed onto fabric, painting and ink, stamping, embroidery, and decorative hand stitching as they focus on pattern, composition, surface texture, and color relationships. While addressing the complexities of the quilted image, we emphasize discovering new ways to piece together compositions, creating formal connections, and incorporating personal and found materials like fabrics, beads, and relics.