Weaving, Caning, and Natural Dyeing Part of Fall 2017 Trad Arts Studio Roster

(Pawtucket, RI) This September, send the kids back to school, and yourself to the fiber art studio to learn skills you can put to use year-round.

Trad Arts Studio at Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI, announces the 2017 studio roster, which this year includes a 6-week course in Natural Dyeing, two six-week sessions of Chair Caning, and a 10-week, Saturday morning Handweaving course. “What’s nice about Trad Arts Studio is that we keep the classes small,” said Erika Davis, Program Director at Slater Mill. “An intimate learning environment with low teacher-student ratios gives participants the personalized attention and feedback needed to advance their skill, no matter their starting level.”
But don’t delay, cautions Davis. “Because we have limited spaces, our classes fill up very quickly.”

Trad Arts Studio welcomes a new teaching artist this fall. Michelle Charest, Ph.D., is a professor at Rhode Island School of Design, and an avid maker and fiber artist. Her Ball-jar dyeing method makes Natural Dyeing more manageable, and can be more easily translated to home-based DIY.  “Michelle has really perfected and streamlined the natural dyeing process. Her method minimizes the mess, and uses materials that can be employed successfully from the studio to the kitchen sink” says Davis.

Student-favorites Suzi Ballenger and Steve Emma also returns this fall for Handweaving and Chair Caning, respectively.

Handweaving begins Saturday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. Natural Dyeing and Chair Caning begin on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. Each class is two hours in duration. For registration information, please email info@slatermill.org, or call 401-725-8638 x.106.