The Café will be closed for remodel from Aug 12 through Sept 5, 2024. | Due to construction, Museum parking may be limited at the time of your visit. Look for additional parking in free or metered spaces along nearby streets.

Textile Marbling on Scarves

Witness this magical process that transfers the paint from the surface of the water to a silk scarf. In this one-day workshop, Vanessa and Pietro will show students how to print on silk scarves using an array of different patterns and colors that you can choose from.  After some guided practice with some of your  favorite colors, students will have the opportunity to paint 2 beautiful scarves.

Friday, April 8
10 am – 5 pm

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Ages: Adult (15+) | All levels

Sewing 101: Learn Your Machine

Learn sewing machine basics with your machine. Bring in your recently serviced sewing machine and we will help you build a relationship starting with the basics. This class covers: threading the machine, threading the bobbin, making a bobbin, thread varieties, needle varieties and uses, foot selection, stitch varieties and purposes, steering techniques, ways to mend a hole on a sewing machine and sewing machine maintenance. 

If you do not have a machine but are interested in learning, we do have a limited selection of machines for use. 

Monday, May 2
6 – 8 pm

Instructor: Bree Kasper
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Supply List: 

  • Sewing Machine
  • Thread
  • Fabric for practicing on

Sewing 101: Learn Your Machine

Learn sewing machine basics with your machine. Bring in your recently serviced sewing machine and we will help you build a relationship starting with the basics. This class covers: threading the machine, threading the bobbin, making a bobbin, thread varieties, needle varieties and uses, foot selection, stitch varieties and purposes, steering techniques, ways to mend a hole on a sewing machine and sewing machine maintenance. 

Sunday, April 3
Noon – 2 pm

Instructor: Bree Kasper
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Supply List: 

  • Sewing Machine
  • Thread

Advanced Paper Marbling on Metallic Paint and Overmarbling

In this Advanced class Pietro will teach more complex patterns, over marbling and the use of metallic paint. In the world of Paper Marbling, metallic is a rarity due to the weight of the paint; it must float on the surface of the water bath. The use of rakes and combs is also tricky as one must carefully manipulate the movements of these paints in order to achieve the desired effects.

During the morning session the focus will be on how to handle these paints, and Pietro will introduce new and more intricate patterns. The class will also explore the exciting and unchartered territory of “Over-marbling”, where one pattern is superimposed upon another to create a magnificent and complex play of pattern. The shining hues of copper, silver, bronze, gold and pearl will transform a sheet of paper into an iridescent wonder. The afternoon session is dedicated to personal practice with on hand guidance from Pietro.

Saturday, May 21
10 am – 5 pm

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Ages: Adult (15+) | All levels

Needle felted Animals and Ornaments

This class is a perfect introduction to the world of ?ber! Needle felting is the art of sculpting wool with a specially designed, barbed needle. Stabbing the wool repeatedly creates a ?rm, textile object. Needle-felting is an ideal craft in that it is easy to learn, requires minimal supplies and can be completed anywhere!

Wednesday, November 17
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and Up | All Levels

 

Writing Small Alphabets and Creating Small Treasures

Make your writing small, smaller, smallest as we work with various tools conducive to tiny writing. Three styles of lettering will be learned in this five week class: Monoline Italic, Clothesline Caps, and Willow by Hand, all of which can all be written in a variety of sizes. These delightful letters will be used to create books, boxes, and greeting cards utilizing a variety of materials.

Mondays, October 18- November 15
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: Carol Pallesen
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Supply List:

  • Notebook (if you wish to take notes in class)
  • Micron pens (such as Sakura Pigma, Zig, Staedtler, etc.—whatever are you favorites in black 005, 0l, and 08 sizes; I usually use the Pigmas)
  • Extra fine point metallic pens (silver and gold are nice, such as Sakura Pen-Touch .7mm) __Ruler (metal cork-backed, 6 or 12”
  • Bone folder (tool used to fold paper)
  • Xacto knife and #11 blades
  • Cutting surface (scrap of matboard or self-healing mat, about 9×12”ish in size)
  • Pencil with eraser
  • Scissors
  • Gluestick (such as UHU brand, my favorite)
  • Rubber cement pick-up (such as Best-Test, to pick up glue stick remnants)
  • Scrap paper (such as 8 1/2 x 11” used xerox or computer paper, for gluing backup, about 15 or 20 sheets)
  • Water dish (such as an empty well-washed yogurt cup or similar)
  • Watercolor pencils (I’ll bring plenty to share if you don’t have your own, but if you have favorites, bring them)
  • Small, flat brush (I’ll also bring these to share if you don’t have one)
  • Triangle (can be small, 12” or under, 30-60 or 45 degree)
  • Rag and baby wipes (to clean tools and your hands)

Optional items (don’t bog yourself down, but you may want some of these):

  • Micron pens in other colors and sizes
  • Other favorite pointed pens
  • A couple tubes of watercolor or gouache
  • Dishes and mixing brushes for items above
  • Slant board (if that’s how you want to write)
  • Cushion or pillow for chair
  • A few SMALL rubber stamps and a couple favorite pads
  • Bring snacks if you want, since this class is during dinnertime!

CANCELLED: Polymer Jewelry and Accessories

We are going to go on an Italian adventure where we will copy the Murano masters by creating colorful floral bursts in easy-to-use polymer clay. Students will learn how these small “thousand flowers” sculptures can then be used as pendants, earrings, rings, belt-buckles and beyond. Polymer clay is an extremely pliable, intensely colored material that bakes hard in your own oven. 

Wednesday, September 22
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

 

From Sheep to Yarn

This class will explore the origins of yarn. Taking raw wool freshly sheared from local sheep, students will wash it, card it, spin it into yarn and dye it. Students will finish the class with a custom skein of yarn that they have made from start to finish.

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 12 and 13
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and Up | All Levels

 

Needle Felted Animals and Ornaments

This class is a perfect introduction to the world of ?ber!  Needle felting is the art of sculpting wool with a specially designed, barbed needle.  Stabbing the wool repeatedly creates a ?rm, textile object.  Needle-felting is an ideal craft in that it is easy to learn, requires minimal supplies and can be completed anywhere!

Sunday, September 12
noon – 3 pm

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and Up | All Levels

 

Textile Marbling on Scarves

In this 2 day workshop students will create their own marbled designs on 3 different silk scarves. During the first day we will discuss and practice patterns and color combinations that work well for marbled silk scarves. Students will have ample practice time to experiment and develop their vision in the standard marbling tray before moving on to the large scarf tray.

Day two we will prepare two 20” x 72” trays for the silk.

Students will take turns on these trays to execute each scarf with the assistance of the instructor.

Thursday and Friday, November 18 and 19
10 am – 5 pm

Instructor: Pietro Accardi
Ages: Adult (15+) | All levels