Maps, Charts and Diagrams Workshop at Arrowmont, Tennessee

WHEN:

Jul. 12, 2015 - Jul. 18, 2015

Instructor

Laura Mongiovi

CATEGORIES:

Fibers , Textiles , Mixed Media

This workshop is inspired by the compositions and concepts of maps, charts and diagrams. Students with an interest in textiles will have the opportunity to experiment with traditional and non-traditional methods. Low maintenance natural dye processes and the use of beeswax to seal and coat will be introduced. Hand stitching and drawing on fabric will also be encouraged as a way to enhance the surface quality. You will explore all possibilities for communicating your ideas in 2D and/or 3D. Open to all skill levels.

LINK HERE TO REGISTER.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a national art education center. The School offers weekend, one- and two-week workshops for the beginner to advanced artist, taught by national and international practicing studio artists and university faculty. Students work and learn in professionally equipped studios on a 14-acre residential campus in Gatlinburg, TN. A series of weekly classes are also offered for residents of the local community. Workshops and classes are offered in ceramics, fiber, metals/jewelry, painting, drawing, photography, warm glass, woodturning, woodworking, mixed media, books and paper. Link here to go to the the website home page. 

Arrowmont’s workshops are designed to provide creative opportunities for anyone who wants to learn new skills and be energized and inspired. Weekend, one-week and two-week sessions offer a concentrated experience of working in a professionally equipped studio with dedicated and talented instructors and other students. Students of varied experience levels, ages, and backgrounds work side-by-side, exchanging ideas and techniques. The power of focused time together results in new thinking and artistic growth for all. Workshops are open to students 18 years old or older, at all skill levels unless indicated otherwise in the course description. Instructors are national and international practicing studio artists and faculty at colleges and universities. Workshops are small, generally 10-12 students of varying experience and age but with a common goal of working hard, learning new skills and being creative.

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I was invited to teach a workshop at Arrowmont this past summer. We used natural dye and shibori techniques to create lines and shapes on fabric that ranged from subtle to dramatic. Silk, cotton muslin and canvas were the fabrics we used. Once the fabric was dry students responded to thin, delicate lines and areas of pooled color by stitching with thread and drawing with pencil on the fabric. I introduced white and yellow beeswax so students could experiment with waxing a surface and using wax to create a three-dimensional structure. We used red onion skins, turmeric, mixed berry (heavy on the strawberries), coffee and tea for the dyes. Our studio was a sensual experience with many textures, the aroma from dye pots and the scent of beeswax. 

One of the textile studios. So many studios at Arrowmont!
This is where my workshop was held. The studio was well
equipped for dye - lots of big sinks, washer and dryer,
electrical outlets everywhere - everything an artist would
want! In addition to the great studio, Arrowmont provides
instructors with several studio assistants. 

Getting ready for my students! On the table are samples I made
earlier in the summer. Mixed berry (heavy on the blackberry),
coffee and turmeric. I also brought along some of my
favorite books to share.

Fabric in turmeric dye pot.

Karis pulling our first piece out of the turmeric pot. 

Red onion at two different stages. We saved the pot for
a few days. Each day the color lightened. The white cloth
tied with thread is some shibori action. 

Sierra rinsing out mixed berry (heavy on the strawberry). 

Tea on silk, coffee on cotton,
turmeric on cotton, turmeric on canvas.

Coffee on canvas, red onion on silk, mixed berry on cotton. 

Stephanie rinsing out shibori wrapped cotton muslin
from the turmeric pot.