During Education Week 2025 we were able to present x classes free to community members.
Intuitive Collage
Instructor: Colleen Monette
This four (4) hour class will cover the origin of collage, important collage artists, types of paper, additional materials and glues.
We’ll delve into different types of collages and how to work intuitively. All materials supplied, though students are free to bring
personal items (papers, photos, small ephemera) to use in class.
Ink on Clayboard
Instructor: Carol M. Ross
The process involves distressing an 8×8 clayboard with various tools, applying ink, then using transfer paper or free drawing to leave an image that is then developed using an additive and subtractive method. No experience necessary. All tools and materials provided. A valuable process for the experienced or novice artist to add to their repertoire.
ReCraftapalooza
Instructor: Jenna Boitano
Seattle ReCreative will host a day of drop-in free open to the public workshops highlighting creative ways to reuse materials. The workshops may include things like bookmaking, card making and unconventional printmaking.
Dancing Bird Marionettes
Instructor: Eva Gronowitz
This is a 4-hour workshop that will teach you how to build a bird marionette puppet. In this course you will learn about different materials that are best for marionette puppets in addition to learning how to design, build and rig your puppet for puppeteering. You will also get a general understanding of the mechanism of a marionette. This course is a lot of fun and you will be puppeteering by the end of it.
Natural Materials from the Duwamish Valley
Instructor: Laura Wright
In this workshop, participants will learn about traditional and local pigment-producing plants through the process of making watercolor paints. Everyone will create and share a batch of paint made from a selection of locally grown plants. If the weather is nice, we will visit one of the local dye gardens where the pants are harvested.
Beginning Woodworking Techniques
Instructor: Finch Izatt
Hardwood brushes made from offcuts teach beginning woodworking techniques in a safe and engaging environment. Tools used include bandsaw, sander, drill press and various tools for shaping wood by hand. Students will come away with an aesthetic and functional brush made from natural fibers and traditional techniques. The goal of this project is to teach beginner woodworking skills in a safe and engaging environment as well as creative uses of what would otherwise be considered waste materials. A simple project like this can be completed in a weekend and offers a freeform creative exploration that other beginner woodworking classes might not. Nothing really prescriptive here, as these objects can take on any form and retain their function. And they make delightful gifts and can be very relaxing to make.
Paper Pleating & Folding
Instructor: Claire Putney
In this workshop, community members will explore the characteristics of various types of paper and how they can be folded and pleated to build sculptural and kinetic art forms as well as packaging and promotional materials for marketing. Together, we will engage in the hands-on process of creating three objects out of simple sheets of paper: 1) Box (choice of form); 2) Envelope (choice of type); 3) Book (choice of design). There will be an opportunity to explore more complex paper folding techniques if time allows. Students can apply these skills to future art and design projects as well as creating unique marketing materials for their business practices.
Wiggle Room
Instructor: Alyza DelPan-Monley
We will lead a one-day workshop. It will be part clothing swap, part movement workshop, and part loom weaving. Participants will be invited to bring some garments to swap, as well as scraps and old clothing that would be destined for the dump. Alyza will lead the participants through movement scores, to engage somatically, and to play with our relationship to movement and clothing. Janelle will lead the participants in a loom weaving, the results of which will be incorporated into the final Wiggle Room garments and elements.