A National Historic Landmark and Rhode Island icon, Slater Mill has established the Community Guild Studios (CGS), a fiber arts center for the people of Rhode Island and Southeastern New England – something our community lacked despite our state’s long and rich history of textile design and manufacturing. This major initiative is unique in the country in that it links the birthplace of textile manufacturing with our growing community of talented, professional craftspeople as well as members of the general public who enjoy fiber arts as a pastime or creative outlet.
Chair Caning
Course Description:
Students will learn basic skills to complete caning a chair of their own during the workshop. Materials: Student must bring his/her own chair; a scissor or snips to trim or cut the cane, a small water pail or bucket to soak the cane, an ice pick, preferably thin and sharp, an old large towel, several snap clothespins to hold cane while soaking and a water spray bottle to wet the cane. Material fee: $15 due on first night.
Instructor:
Steve Emma was born in Rhode Island. He studied agriculture at the University of Rhode Island and received his BA in Music (piano) from Rhode Island College. In 1976 his creative direction evolved further and he began to carve sculpture, furniture, functional objects, wooden bowls and spoons. He is a known local artist and master chair caner.
Class meets 6:30 – 8:30PM, March 31 & April 7, 14, 21, 28 & May 5
Fee: $65.00 for six 2-hour classes
Basket Making
Course Description:
This class is for the beginning student. The project is designed to advance the participant’s skill level. The project will be a useful household basket. Students will have several choices of styles to choose from. Materials: vary according to project.
Instructor:
Ann Morris lives in nearby Attleboro, MA. Ann is a retired nurse and has spent most of her professional career in all levels of nursing practice and administration throughout the U.S. Ann has been making baskets for the past 5 years under the tutelage of Kate Conroy, owner of Stony Lane Basketry, Exeter, RI. During this time, Ann has made all kinds of baskets from the purely decorative to the surprisingly useful while using materials such as reed, hand-hewn brown ash or hickory, shaker tape, waxed linen and other fibrous materials. She acknowledges the practical field gathering baskets as her particular favorite. Ann is a member of the Northeast Basket makers Guild and currently serves as Member-at-large on the NBG governing board.
Class meets 6:30 – 8:30PM, April 14, 21 & 28
Fee: $50.00 plus materials fee due on first night (materials fee varies according to project).
Intermediate Spinning
Course Description:
Designed to advance the skills beyond the basics, this class will cover such topics as drafting techniques, hand carding and blending.
Instructor:
Primarily self-taught, Jonne Gomes studied with Master Spinner, knitter, and weaving enthusiast Faith
Wight, after beginning with Louise Walsh. He comes from an artistic
background; his mother Rosalina was a sample embroiderer and his father
a Master Carpenter/Furniture maker in (Funchal) Madeira, Portugal.
Class meets 6:30 – 8:30PM, March 17, 24, 31 & April 7
Fee: $85.00 for four 2 hour classes plus $20.00 for materials due on first night.
Beginning Weaving
Course Description:
Learn the basics of handweaving: planning and winding a warp, threading the loom and weaving a scarf. Students will also learn the basics of fiber choices, how to read weaving drafts and the finishing and care of handwoven fabrics. Each student will design and weave a scarf in the fiber of their choice.
Instructor:
Jan Doyle is a full time fiber artist and teacher. She currently teaches weaving
and special fiber projects at the University of Rhode Island and in her
studio in Green Hill, RI. Her works have been featured in Shuttle,
Spindle and Dyepot, Weavers and Fiberarts Magazines. She travels
throughout the U.S. and Canada teaching Doubleweave pick-up, color
theory, design, and Batik and Shibori dyeing to guilds and conferences.
Her works have been exhibited and commissioned in the US, Canada and
the U.K. Most recently her works were featured at the Flaten Art Museum
in St. Olaf Minnesota and the Artworks Gallery New Bedford,
Massachusetts, and presently appear on www.dmona.org the digital museum of modern art on the web.
Class meets 6:30-8:30PM, March 24 & 31, April 7, 14, 21 & 28
Fee: $85.00 for six 2 hr. classes
Intermediate Weaving
Course Description:
This class is for the student who has progressed through the beginner stage. The class is designed to advance the student’s weaving skills and techniques by completing a project on the Jenks Education Center floor looms.
Instructor:
see above
Class meets 6:30-8:30PM, Feb. 17 & 24, March 3, 10, 17 & 24
Fee: $85.00 for six 2 hr. classes
Silk Fabric Painting
Class Description:
Make a silk scarf as a smart addition to your winter wardrobe. Students will create a one-of-a-kind pattern on an 8”x54” scarf. In 2 four -hour lessons, students will have a scarf to take home. Lessons include applying resist, which sets the design; applying dyes, and color setting. All supplies included except brushes.
Instructor:
Kari Kline is a graduate of the Art Institute of Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a Certificate in Fine Art. Ms. Kline furthered her education at the University of Pittsburgh and Community College of Allegheny County.
Originally a watercolor artist, Kari Kline felt the transition to silk painting a natural one. Kari uses the painter's approach to silk, viewing each piece of cloth as an empty canvas, waiting for the transformation of the painter's brush. She is particularly inspired by nature's magnificent patterns. Some of her favorites include the unceasing rhythmic line of ocean waves; naked November tree branches interlacing over a stark sky; the beauty and silence of a deep velvet star-laden winter sky; and the riot of color in a brilliant October landscape. These are the prime sources for Ms. Kline's designs.
Ms. Kline was introduced to silk painting in South Carolina. On a life-long quest to find her perfect medium, she found herself drawn to this "new" art form. The vibrancy of the silk dyes offered intense color, unlike any other medium she'd tried. Her first piece, which she transformed into a wall hanging, was promptly sold. Ms. Kline felt her quest had come to an end.
Kari is a member of the Blackstone Valley Art Association and the Pawtucket Artists Collaborative.
Class date: April 14, 21 & 28 . 6:30PM-8:30PM
Workshop fee: $65.00 for three 2-hour classes. Materials fee: $15 due first night of class.