Explore art, history, and cultural heritage in this hands-on workshop series. Each session begins with a mini-lecture on a historical technique, color palette, or motif, followed by a demonstration and 90 minutes of guided hands-on creating. All skill levels welcome.

Instructor: Ren Kangail

Cost: $49 per 2.5-hour session. Attend one or attend all.

Sessions

September 17: Corpse Medicine

Take a tour through the gruesome past of corpse medicine. Learn how our ancestors would have healed themselves by ingesting moss growing on a human skull. Ruminate over the lesson while creating ink sketches of skulls, bones, and other materials used in this practice.

Activity: Ink drawings using dip pens, india ink, brush, and ink washes.

Note: Physical animal bones may be present as subject matter. No human specimens will be present.

October 15: Origin of Jack-O-Lanterns

Explore the origins of the Jack-O-Lantern, from carved turnips to modern day pumpkins, followed by painting an acrylic still life from pre-carved turnips and pumpkins.

Activity: Acrylic painting of turnip and pumpkin Jack-O-Lanterns.

Note: Pre-carved turnips and pumpkins will be provided.

November 12: Oni and Yokai

Journey into Japanese folklore. Explore the roles of these spirits and demons in history and theater, followed by a hands-on mask-painting workshop.

Activity: Decorating paper mâché masks.

Note: Pre-made paper mâché masks will be provided, along with a step-by-step handout to take home.