By Patrick Wetzel-Scott, manager, family programs
What is the value of a handmade thing? What is the longevity or sustainability of such an object? How is it connected to the maker and their story?
This summer, students can dive into the world of craft history and get a hands-on immersive experience in our weeklong workshops. They will uncover the rich stories and traditions behind each craft while also exploring how these time-honored techniques continue to inspire and shape our lives today.
With summer just around the corner, work is underway preparing for our new youth workshops, designed for teens ages 13 to 17.
Winding Threads
Right now, I’m assembling sewing kits for our first workshop, Tales from Textiles. It starts on June 29 and ties together the study of museum objects with making something with your hands. The workshop is inspired by a sewing exercise book made by young Stella Lichtenberger while she was learning to sew and mend in the 1890s. Our participants will start by looking at Stella’s notes and at similar exercise books in our library’s special collection. Then they’ll begin filling their own exercise books as they learn about fibers, weaves, stitches, and dyes from museum curators, conservators, and guest artists.
Splitting Wood
I’ve been splitting wood to prepare for our second workshop in July, A Stool from a Tree! Students will start among the trees to find out what they’re made of (hint: it’s more than wood) and how their structure affects the wood that becomes furniture. Then they’ll use historical examples in the museum’s collection as inspiration for their own simple stools. Throughout the week, they’ll be using hand tools for splitting wood, shaving legs, shaping seats, boring mortises, and wedging tenons. If all goes well, the week will end with a new collection of stools going home with their young makers.
Planting Seeds
There’s still plenty of work left to do in preparation for our workshops at the end of July, Binding for Books and Dye from the Garden. But for now, the seeds are planted in the dye garden and it’s just a matter of time (and careful weeding) before we have beds of weld, indigo, and madder.
Few things are as rewarding as making something by hand and seeing it come together in front of you. I’m looking forward to this summer’s youth workshops, and I can’t wait to see what everyone makes.
