Suminagashi as Modern Craft (Sundays 10am-12pm)
3-Part Workshop
DATES: 2/2, 2/9, 2/16
Class Description:
Suminagashi as Modern Craft is a hands-on workshop designed to introduce participants to the art of suminagashi, or “floating ink” with a contemporary twist. Suminagashi is an ancient Japanese art developed in the 12th century to create marbled patterns by floating oil based ink on water and transferring designs to a surface. This marbling technique gained popularity throughout Europe as a secret technique used by bookbinders to decorate hand-bound books with lively graphic designs. This art form intertwines the delicate interplay between color, water, and movement.
The Arts and Crafts movement began in England during the turn of the 20th century, alchemizing their anxiety about industrialization into a blend of traditional and experimental techniques to create artisanal, yet utilitarian work. While the movement did not promote a specific style, proponents rallied to advance a socialist philosophy that critiqued the mechanization of industrial labor and advocated for labor reform. Examples of modern crafting include upcycled clothing, modern calligraphy, and ceramic art.
Students will learn the fundamentals of marbling by first practicing marbling on paper, and then move on to creating unique fabric pieces to sew into beautiful, custom throw pillows. We will use the following techniques: ink manipulation, image transfer, marbling, and basic sewing/stitching skills.
This workshop is accessible to ten students maximum, and will delight beginner and advanced artists alike. Students are not required to bring any extra materials, but if they are familiar with embroidery, I recommend bringing a personal embroidery hoop and beads to decorate marbled fabric. However, the workshop will only teach students the hidden ladder stitch. Instructor will not be explicitly teaching embroidery techniques needed to decorate throw pillows.
By the end of this immersive workshop, participants will leave with their own handcrafted, marbled pillow that serves as both art and decor and newfound knowledge of this traditional art form. This workshop aims to foster an environment conducive to appreciating the meditative and artistic aspects of marbling.
The overall goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to the art of suminagashi, expanding their creative expression by merging traditional techniques through modern craft. This workshop promotes creativity, skill-building, and the joy of hand making something unique from start to finish.
Teacher Info:
Richelle Kota (she/they) is a Liberian refugee, writer, nature enthusiast, and arts educator living in Philadelphia, PA. In 2018, they received a Bachelor's Degree from Temple University in Spanish Language, Literature, and Linguistics and Art History. Previous arts education work experience includes prestigious institutions like The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Print Center, and TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image. Recent written work has been published by Hidden City Daily, Plantin Magazine, CALYX, and Ghost City Press. Richelle aspires to live a very simple life on a farm with many pigs, goats, and dogs.
3-Part Workshop
DATES: 2/2, 2/9, 2/16
Class Description:
Suminagashi as Modern Craft is a hands-on workshop designed to introduce participants to the art of suminagashi, or “floating ink” with a contemporary twist. Suminagashi is an ancient Japanese art developed in the 12th century to create marbled patterns by floating oil based ink on water and transferring designs to a surface. This marbling technique gained popularity throughout Europe as a secret technique used by bookbinders to decorate hand-bound books with lively graphic designs. This art form intertwines the delicate interplay between color, water, and movement.
The Arts and Crafts movement began in England during the turn of the 20th century, alchemizing their anxiety about industrialization into a blend of traditional and experimental techniques to create artisanal, yet utilitarian work. While the movement did not promote a specific style, proponents rallied to advance a socialist philosophy that critiqued the mechanization of industrial labor and advocated for labor reform. Examples of modern crafting include upcycled clothing, modern calligraphy, and ceramic art.
Students will learn the fundamentals of marbling by first practicing marbling on paper, and then move on to creating unique fabric pieces to sew into beautiful, custom throw pillows. We will use the following techniques: ink manipulation, image transfer, marbling, and basic sewing/stitching skills.
This workshop is accessible to ten students maximum, and will delight beginner and advanced artists alike. Students are not required to bring any extra materials, but if they are familiar with embroidery, I recommend bringing a personal embroidery hoop and beads to decorate marbled fabric. However, the workshop will only teach students the hidden ladder stitch. Instructor will not be explicitly teaching embroidery techniques needed to decorate throw pillows.
By the end of this immersive workshop, participants will leave with their own handcrafted, marbled pillow that serves as both art and decor and newfound knowledge of this traditional art form. This workshop aims to foster an environment conducive to appreciating the meditative and artistic aspects of marbling.
The overall goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to the art of suminagashi, expanding their creative expression by merging traditional techniques through modern craft. This workshop promotes creativity, skill-building, and the joy of hand making something unique from start to finish.
Teacher Info:
Richelle Kota (she/they) is a Liberian refugee, writer, nature enthusiast, and arts educator living in Philadelphia, PA. In 2018, they received a Bachelor's Degree from Temple University in Spanish Language, Literature, and Linguistics and Art History. Previous arts education work experience includes prestigious institutions like The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Print Center, and TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image. Recent written work has been published by Hidden City Daily, Plantin Magazine, CALYX, and Ghost City Press. Richelle aspires to live a very simple life on a farm with many pigs, goats, and dogs.
3-Part Workshop
DATES: 2/2, 2/9, 2/16
Class Description:
Suminagashi as Modern Craft is a hands-on workshop designed to introduce participants to the art of suminagashi, or “floating ink” with a contemporary twist. Suminagashi is an ancient Japanese art developed in the 12th century to create marbled patterns by floating oil based ink on water and transferring designs to a surface. This marbling technique gained popularity throughout Europe as a secret technique used by bookbinders to decorate hand-bound books with lively graphic designs. This art form intertwines the delicate interplay between color, water, and movement.
The Arts and Crafts movement began in England during the turn of the 20th century, alchemizing their anxiety about industrialization into a blend of traditional and experimental techniques to create artisanal, yet utilitarian work. While the movement did not promote a specific style, proponents rallied to advance a socialist philosophy that critiqued the mechanization of industrial labor and advocated for labor reform. Examples of modern crafting include upcycled clothing, modern calligraphy, and ceramic art.
Students will learn the fundamentals of marbling by first practicing marbling on paper, and then move on to creating unique fabric pieces to sew into beautiful, custom throw pillows. We will use the following techniques: ink manipulation, image transfer, marbling, and basic sewing/stitching skills.
This workshop is accessible to ten students maximum, and will delight beginner and advanced artists alike. Students are not required to bring any extra materials, but if they are familiar with embroidery, I recommend bringing a personal embroidery hoop and beads to decorate marbled fabric. However, the workshop will only teach students the hidden ladder stitch. Instructor will not be explicitly teaching embroidery techniques needed to decorate throw pillows.
By the end of this immersive workshop, participants will leave with their own handcrafted, marbled pillow that serves as both art and decor and newfound knowledge of this traditional art form. This workshop aims to foster an environment conducive to appreciating the meditative and artistic aspects of marbling.
The overall goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to the art of suminagashi, expanding their creative expression by merging traditional techniques through modern craft. This workshop promotes creativity, skill-building, and the joy of hand making something unique from start to finish.
Teacher Info:
Richelle Kota (she/they) is a Liberian refugee, writer, nature enthusiast, and arts educator living in Philadelphia, PA. In 2018, they received a Bachelor's Degree from Temple University in Spanish Language, Literature, and Linguistics and Art History. Previous arts education work experience includes prestigious institutions like The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Print Center, and TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image. Recent written work has been published by Hidden City Daily, Plantin Magazine, CALYX, and Ghost City Press. Richelle aspires to live a very simple life on a farm with many pigs, goats, and dogs.
