Workshop with the artists: Felting

Look at those cute little hands making a felted ball!

(photo courtesy of Jody Denny, from www.greeneyedmonster.ca)

Little kids, big kids, in-between kids, parents, and caregivers enjoyed Felting with WhiteFeather on Saturday at the ALMAG. WhiteFeather lead us in the how-to and an hour and a half flew by.

What is felting? It's transforming wool into a different shape entirely with just some warm water, a little bit of soap, and a bit of molding. It's a great medium for textile arts and a satisfying sensory experience especially for young children. I think it's an activity that really speaks to the importance of the process in art. As an example of what can be done with felting WhiteFeather had the cutest little felted doll to show us while she was here.

Some other felted goodies I've found:

• Check the beautiful baby mobile this Montessori mom created with felted balls.
• Martha has a whole lineup of felted projects to show you.
• And on Etsy, this seller has felted Easter Eggs! (Have you stumbled upon Etsy yet? A site chockful of handmade goodness.)

On that note, be sure to pop in to the gallery this Saturday, April 3rd (from 10:30am - 12pm) for our Easter Family Art Workshop. Bring the whole family in, young and old, to celebrate creating art together! We'll be talking about what symbolism is and experimenting in mixed media while decorating Easter Eggs in unusual ways. Should be another fun Saturday!

Workshops with the artists!

We are very excited to offer workshops with the artists this Saturday!

Felting with WhiteFeather
Saturday, March 27th, 2010 
10:30 – 12pm
$12/child

WhiteFeather will lead children ages 5-10 in a workshop on making felted shapes from wool, such as a small multicoloured ball and a 'snake'. Wool fleece dyed with different flavours of Kool-Aid will be supplied for felting, and participants should be prepared to get a little bit wet and soapy! Wool felting is a satisfying sensory experience for all, but especially for young children. Rhythmic and peaceful, the process is as enjoyable as the finished product as warm water and soapy bubbles delight. WhiteFeather instructs Fibre Arts at NB College of Craft and Design in Fredericton.

Block Printing with Carol Collicutt
Saturday, March 27th, 2010
1 – 2:30pm
$12/child

Discover the possibilities of block printing on paper using the simplest of materials. Create a template which can be used for one print or many. An easy introduction to printmaking. Carol is an artist in Fredericton, NB, practicing for over 20 years from her studio at the Gallery Connexion. She currently instructs Mixed Media at NB College of Craft and Design in Fredericton.