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PROFESSIONAL ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS

Have you been longing to create, explore the Arts but can’t find the time to devote to an ongoing class? Well… these workshops are perfect for you!

PHOTOGRAPHY – NANTUCKET AND NATURAL HISTORY
DISCOVER NANTUCKET’S WATER GARDENS, NATURE AND LANDSCAPES
Instructor: Larry Cronin
Journey with photographer, naturalist and water garden designer/creator Larry Cronin across the island. Enjoy an evening of storytelling while exploring Nantucket’s beautiful landscapes and learn about the island’s nature and history through your lens. Larry will give instruction on framing, point of view, light settings, as well as information specific to your camera and interests. Processing is on your own. Bring your camera (film or digital), insect repellant, water and snacks!

MACHINE KNITTED FABRICS:
AN INTRODUCTION TO TECHNIQUE AND CREATIVITY
Enjoy a day of yarn play using a vintage hand-operated knitting machine, with island production knitter Tina Kreibich. Get to know the basics of machine knitting and explore the amazing world of textile creation on a Brother domestic knitting machine one square at a time. The day will start with a demo of the technical essentials – set-up, cast on, bind off, moving the carriage, changing yarns – followed by individual time to develop your own creative fabric. A wide selection of yarn will be available, but feel free to bring your own as well.  We will be making various squares and you may walk away with a scarf, a pillowcase, a top, a wall-hanging – whatever your squares want to be!  Each student is also invited to contribute a square for a larger communal tapestry to be displayed at the NISDA gallery. Materials will be provided.
No lab fee! All are welcome – no knitting or crochet experience necessary.

INTUITIVE QUILTING
Drawing on the legacy of protection quilts made by slaves in bondage during the transatlantic slave trade and the “crazy quilts” of the Victorian Era, intuitive quilting provides the quilter an opportunity to explore free expression through a variety of colors, shapes and textures.  In this workshop, quilters will learn about the historic significance of this type of quilting as well as planning, building, and embellishing unique quilt blocks.  You will need a sewing machine or Emily can provide. Materials provided: fabric, scissors, cutters… you may also bring your own. (Material fee: $25)

 EXPLORE NATURAL DYE, RESIST COLOR AND PATTERNS TECHNIQUE
As we all know, the natural world holds a vast array of color. Natural dye offers artists a new way to develop and manipulate the colors of nature to create unique patterns and palates. In this workshop, you’ll learn about sourcing dyes from plants, roots, and fungus, building a dye pot and using resist techniques to combine colors and create patterns. You will also learn technical skills like using mordents and modifiers to broaden the range of colors and what effects they can have on your end result. You will leave with fabric and yarn samples for your use. Fabric (you are welcome to bring dye-able fabric of your own) dye stuff, mordents, resists, books and resources provided. (Material fee: $25)

POSTER DESIGN BOOT CAMP
Posters are becoming increasingly relevant given the rise of social and political activism. In conjunction with Wednesday night’s talk on Political Poster Design in America and Beyond, graphic designer Peter Ahlberg will lead an intensive and rewarding one-day workshop divided into three parts: 

• Crash course in visual language [design principles, composition, color and typography)
• Sketches and critique: Develop ideas, explore forms, and refine compositions as you prepare to produce a large format print of your poster
• Printmaking: Using simple printmaking techniques in the NISDA studio, create your own full-sized poster.
  

PAINTING FROM THE HEART – LANDSCAPE OF LIFE
An engaging painting workshop using personal symbology and nature’s landscapes as inspiration for shape, color choice and the marking and movement of paint.  Bring media(s) of choice. NISDA has basic studio and painting supplies. For beginners and advanced.

 WATERCOLORS LOOSE AND FREE
This workshop will cover the fundamental techniques that make it possible to create a successful watercolor painting. A complete painting will be created with focus on simple subject matter such as landscapes, seascapes, and still life. We will explore: Basic composition, application of washes, wet in wet, glazing and dry brush techniques, how to exploit the natural flow of water and discover the secrets that make it work its magic like no other medium can! How to let the water guide you while overcoming the urge to control every brush stroke.
The meaning of less is more. All materials provided (including coffee), just bring yourself and your sense of humor.

Basic supplies will be available but workshops may have specific supply lists as well.

*Please note: registration for individual weeks is dependent on enrollment as class size is limited.