JOIN OUR LOCAL ARTISANS WHO ARE CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH A VARIETY OF INTERACTIVE 'HANDS-ON' WORKSHOPS

LUMINOUS FIBERS: CREATING RAG PAPER LANTERNS

June 2, 10am-4:30pm | Instructed by Alex Kahn & Sophia Michahelles

Paper is a paradox – delicate yet durable, pliable yet strong, utilitarian yet sensual. Though often overlooked, paper reveals its richness and complexity when illuminated from within.

In this day-long workshop you will learn to transform donated Eileen Fisher fabrics from the GREEN EILEEN recycled clothing initiative into illuminated paper structures for your home. Multi-disciplinary artists Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles will guide you through the process of creating artisanal rag paper from reclaimed cotton and linen clothing. Then, from the paper you have created, you will learn to make a variety of lanterns and illuminated sculptures. Along the way, Alex and Sophia will touch on aspects of bamboo-working, shadow-collage, dyeing and watermarking, low-wattage lighting options, and basic paper-casting. Building community through experimentation and teamwork are encouraged.

Tuition: $160 includes materials, use of all tools, lunch, plus coffee, tea,
and a snack.

Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles are co-founders of Processional Arts Workshop, a non-profit arts ensemble that works with communities to create site-specific processions and pageants. Their illuminated structures and giant puppets, made from paper and other materials, lead New York's Village Halloween Parade each year, and have also appeared in night parades in Istanbul, Kiev, Texas, Italy, and other locales. Prior to founding PAW, Alex was resident lighting designer for the Kitchen in NYC and taught printmaking at Maine College of Art. Sophia designs the sophia.thayaht line of original handmade skirts. Learn more about their work at www.processionalarts.org.

Unless otherwise noted, all workshops are held at 2 Bridge Street in Irvington, New York.