Introduction to Tapestry Weaving

Tapestry has graced the surfaces of human dwellings for thousands of years. It was an important vehicle for illustrating legends, recording history, and decorating homes. Although the word is used in various contexts these days, this one-day introductory course will focus on the traditional basics of tapestry, including numerous weave structures and decorative techniques. You will design your own “cartoon”, and will weave a small image/design of your choosing using provided materials. This workshop requires no previous knowledge of tapestry or textile arts. Upon completion of the workshop, you will have a basic understanding of how to design and weave your own tapestries for decoration or utility.

Dates & Details

SAT July 18

Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Maximum Size: 8 (age 14+)
Fee: $185.00 (materials & tools included)

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

Introduction to Broomcraft

Are you interested in learning historical techniques and crafting your own traditional tools? Would you enjoy the experience of imbuing those handmade tools with your own intention, purpose and needs?

Join us at Rice Lake Arts to spend a fascinating day working with master Broomsquire Amy Lou Taylor in our beautiful outdoor studio or barn space. In this full day workshop Amy will help you to create a variety of brooms, including the Triple Broom, Turkey Wing Broom and Hawks Tail Hand Broom, as well as a variety of Kitchen Tools (for example, a cake tester, pot scrubber, root veggie scrubber and counter whisk). By the end of the workshop, you will have learned some of the intriguing history behind the designs and the uses of these versatile tools, and you will head home with several brooms, all lovingly crafted by YOU!

Kindly Note: When considering this workshop, please be aware that Broomcraft is a physical activity requiring that you work from a seated position for more than an hour at a time. You must be comfortable using your upper body, hands, wrists, arms and core abdominal muscles. There’s a lot of repetition in the winding and weaving of the brooms. Participants should dress comfortably, wearing sweat pants, yoga pants or shorts and be at ease working barefoot or wearing soft soled shoes. Feeling the ground beneath your feet is important when crafting your brooms.

Dates & Details

SAT July 4

Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Maximum Size: 10 (age 16+)
Fee: $185.00 (materials & tools included)

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

Needle Felting Basics

Join us for this one-day introduction to needle felting with accomplished artist Sandi McNeil! Through this workshop you will learn all the basics necessary to create a charming, small scale 3-dimensional felted creature of your choice. Instruction will include working with wool, use of colour, practicing safe needle felting techniques, and creating/using a wire armature to give your creature form and personality.

Spend an inspiring day exploring this versatile fibre art practice – no previous experience required.

Dates & Details

SAT July 4

Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Maximum Size: 10 participants (age 14+)
Fee: $185.00 (materials & tools included)

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

Coiled Basket with Woodburned Insert

Many cultures and peoples around the world have used a variety of natural materials to create baskets that are both beautiful and utilitarian. Grasses, reeds, pine needles, and bark are just a few of the examples of items that can be dried and turned into baskets. While a variety of techniques exist to join these materials, the one we will focus on in this workshop is coiling. This ancient technique involves forming coils and stitching them together to make a basket. We will also be making our own wooden inserts using a drill, sander, and woodburning. Patterns will be provided for all skill levels, but if you have an image in mind, feel free to bring it along. At the end of this workshop, you will have made a small basket with natural materials and gained the fundamentals to create even more complex designs in the future.

This is a beginner/intermediate workshop (no experience required).

Dates & Details

SAT July 11

Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Maximum Size: 10 participants (age 14+)
Fee: $185.00 (materials & tools included)

Please note: Cara’s Coiled Basket with Woodburned Insert and Woven Natural Fibre Bag workshops are running concurrently from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, July 11

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

Woven Natural Fibre Bag

Nature has so many wonderful materials to offer in our local environment that can be harvested, dried, and woven into beautiful and useful items to enjoy for years to come. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use grasses, bark, cattails, lily leaves, wood, and more to create a woven and twined bag or purse. These can be created freeform or using a mold. If you have a shape in mind, we encourage you to bring along a mold (a wooden block, old container, etc.).

While this is a beginner class, any experience with basketry, sewing or weaving will be an asset.

Dates & Details

SAT July 11

Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Maximum Size: 10 participants (age 14+)
Fee: $185.00 (materials & tools included)

Please note: Cara’s Woven Natural Fibre Bag and Coiled Basket with Woodburned Insert workshops are running concurrently from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, July 11

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

Garden Art: Handbuilding in Clay

Dates & Details

WED July 29, Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

The final session, Aug. 26, will be held at the Kawartha Potters Guild for glazing.

Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Maximum Size: 10 participants (age 14+)
Fee: $385.00 + tax (clay, glazes & tools included)

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

Beginner Basket Weaving

Come spend the day working outdoors with accomplished fibre artist Sandi McNeil. In this one-day workshop you will learn a variety of basic weaving techniques including plaiting, twining and rim lashing to create a Bark Box Basket. You will form your square or rectangular basket using natural materials harvested by Sandi near her home in Buckhorn, including cedar, basswood and birch bark from our region. No previous experience is required.

Dates & Details

1) SAT Jun 27
2) SAT July 25

Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Maximum Size: 8 participants (age 14+)
Fee: $185.00 (materials & tools included)

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.

The Magic of Mosaics: An Exploration of Colour and Form

Inspired by the landscape and native species that flourish at Rice Lake Arts, in this workshop you will create a bold mosaic using coloured glass, that is glued and grouted onto wooden panels. We will explore the grounds at Rice Lake Arts, while you take a series of photos and do some sketching to help you create your unique mosaic design. If you love working with colour and you’d like to try out an ancient technique with modern materials, join us for this fun 2 day workshop.

Nikki welcomes all creative individuals over the age of 13 years to this exciting workshop. Come spend the weekend exploring the beauty of glass with a friend, a sibling, a family member or group.

Dates & Details

SAT/SUN Aug 8-9

Time: Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm; Sunday: 10 am – 1 pm
Maximum Size: 8 participants (age 14+)
Fee: $240.00 (materials & tools included)

For more information email info@ricelakearts.ca or connect with us at 647-985-4352.