AROMATHERAPY FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS $150
Aromatherapy is the practice of using plant essences to restore physical and emotional health. This course teaches the uses of these fascinating aromatic oils, extraction processes and the history of ancient, traditional and present day aromatherapy. You will become familiar with the application of essential oils, essential oil safety, various recipes, dilutions and blends, natural beauty, safe household cleansers and bacterial and viral control. You will learn how to use aromatherapy in conjunction with other health-giving therapies such as reflexology and herbal nutrition. Course projects include making a room-spritz to protect the indoor home or workplace environment from invasive germs and odors, making a sweet smelling potpourri and blending essential oils to make cosmetics, massage and other therapeutic applications. $25 supply fee is paid to instructor at first class.
BASIC BLACKSMITHING $150
This course is designed for beginning and intermediate students. Topics include technique, fire tending, forge, welding, design, shop set-up, heat treatment, tool making and more. The shop has both gas and coal forges. This program is intensive and students can expect to spend much time at the anvil. Students are encouraged to explore their own creativity and express it with personal projects that put into practice the various skills they have learned. Elements of knife making will be introduced as well as a demonstration of pattern welding (Damascus steel production). Students are encouraged to bring their favorite hammer (with safety secured handle) and a current project if they wish.
BASICS OF BAGPIPING $150
This is a three-weekend course to introduce Great Highland Bagpipes. The course begins with finger movement up and down the chanter and learning to read basic pipe music. A history of the pipes, highland wear and how the pipes work will round out the instruction. With proper advancement, more difficult movements will be taught such as gracenotes and doublings. By the end of the three weekends, students will be playing all notes on the practice chanter, play a few gracenotes and possibly be playing a basic slow march or slow air. Several pipe demonstrations will be played and students may join in as they advance. For those with a keen interest, look for Ryan Stauffer’s Course on how to make Bagpipes. If requested at course registration a practice chanter can be purchased at the first class for approximately $50.
BEER BREWING $150
Have you ever thought about brewing beer yourself? It is not as hard as you may think. This class will take you through the entire brewing process, from mashing the grain to bottling the finished product! You will learn how to copy your favorite beers, how to select the proper grain and hops and how to tailor your brew into a masterpiece zymurgy. The first day is spent deciding which type of beer the class would like to brew, and learning the science behind brewing. The class will brew a batch together and sample the wort (unfermented beer). The second day begins by brewing another batch and discussing setting up your own home brewery! Each student will take home some wort to finish the fermentation at home. There may even be an optional “fieldtrip” after class to a local taphouse for further discussion and sampling!
BEGINNING DULCIMER $150
Out of the Appalachian Mountains comes the dulcimer. This course will teach you how to keep your dulcimer in proper tuning while learning the old style way of playing by using a “noter.” Materials needed are your mountain dulcimer and a desire to keep this music heritage alive. Only music from before 1900 will be introduced and will be taught by ear. The class will also learn about the history, ongoing festivals, books and other connections concerning the dulcimer. Dust off that dulcimer you bought and learn how to bring it to life! The mountain dulcimer is not to be confused with the hammered dulcimer, as they are two
BEGINNING FOLK ART PAINTING - ROOSTER $150
Celebrate our heritage as a thriving chicken farm through art. Learn folk art painting techniques while creating a painting that reflects upon our history. Introduction to history, materials, examples, brush stroke techniques. Step by step instruction to making a finished rooster painting. Materials provided. Small materials fee payable to instructor at first class.
BUY LOCAL EAT SEASONAL $150
Grow it yourself or buy it from your neighbor. Learn how to make this philosophy work for you. Realize the rewards and benefits of buying local and eating seasonal. Discover all that our local farmers in Butler County have to offer. Local farming is more than produce and meats. Farmers have innovative ways of growing and raising their products. Prepare delicious and nutritious recipes to enjoy the freshness now and learn ways to preserve food to enjoy the freshness later.
CANVAS FLOOR CLOTH $150
The “lost craft revived” of floor cloth making first began in the early seventeenth-century England. This course is designed for both the beginner and the more advanced painter. Students will learn the art of stenciling and hand painting techniques from the early design patterns and will begin creating floor cloths in an early traditional style.
CAPTURING IMAGES THROUGH ACRYLIC PAINTING $150
This course has been created for both the beginner and intermediate student and will feature color theory, various brush techniques and the use of specialized additives and mediums in acrylic painting. The course includes a brief overview of the history of this medium, and how artisans of the 1940’s embraced it to its current development. The lovely grounds of The Conservancy will provide the images to be captured on canvas. Each student will be encouraged to develop his or her own individual style as they learn handson skills. Materials to bring: acrylic paint, brushes, rags/ cloth for cleaning, canvas, an easel or small foldable table, paint pallet and water container or purchase materials from instructor at first class.
CIVIL WAR QUILTING $150
As early stitchers did, students will be learning the very basics of hand piecing from making templates to joining blocks together. Bring your sewing machine to combine hand and machine techniques. Students will also study blocks and learn the folklore associated with the Underground Railroad and the Civil War. A supply list will be provided if you wish to purchase your own supplies or kits will be available for purchase upon request.
CLAY CONTAINERS IN AN EARTHEN KILN $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Learn about and craft an Eastern Woodland eating vessel: a wooden bowl, a turtle platter, a gourd canteen or a birch bark container. Gather the materials to strengthen clay for your eating utensils. Prepare the firing pit and earthen kiln. Gather the stones to line the pit, build the proper fire pyramid and learn the stages of placing your newly finished bowl or mug to be fired.
DAMASCUS STEEL $150
Spend some time in the Blacksmith Shop experimenting with pattern-welded steel. The patterns vary depending on the smith’s own manufacture. Learn to manipulate the layered patterns to create complex knife blade designs. Write your name into the pattern if you wish. This course covers theory, steel selection, various patterns: “maiden’s hair”, “ladder”, “star pattern” and more. Each student will leave with a blade-sized chunk of Damascus (this piece alone is worth more than the class fee).
DANCE, MUSIC, REGALIA $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
The Native American Powwow is a revered part of Native American life. Learn about the strict etiquette, the meaning of native dances and tribal affiliations and how to identify a tribe by their dress. Learn to make the “Fancy Shawl” (women) or a Turkey Fan (men) typically used in the Fancy Shawl Dance that is only performed by women at the Powwow.
DIGGING UP THE PAST $150
Join us for the chance to find your own prehistoric clues to our planet’s past! You will learn the basics of Paleontology and participate in daily fossil digs and lab exercises. During the lab portion of the program, a fossil kit will be utilized to develop identification skills. Each student must bring a hammer, chisel or flat-edge screwdriver and a sturdy bag. Although car-pooling will be encouraged, each student must have transportation to various fossil sites. Lab fee $40.00 for fossil kit payable to the instructor at first class.
EASTERN WOODLAND COOKING $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Set up the outdoor kitchen by clearing the fire pit area. Gather the stones and firewood, make drying racks, grind corn with mortar and pestle, clean and use pumpkins for cooking vessels and start the soup stock. Process and clean various vegetables, herbs and woodland foods. Brew some coffee from chicory or prepare old native “pink lemonade”. Bring a handled basket for foraging and wear comfortable clothing. Learn about weeds in your backyard that are a substitute for common seasonings found in your kitchen. Experience an authentic Eastern Woodland Indian cooking experience.
FAMILY HISTORY – AN INTRODUCTION $150
Introduction to Genealogy – Have you ever thought about climbing your family tree? Beware – there is a reason genealogy is quickly becoming the most popular hobby in the country. We will cover some of the basics on how you can get started, including: beginning your research, the importance of documenting your notes, the best books for beginners, genealogy frauds and scams and a brief look at what is available on the Internet (newsgroups, mailing lists, e-zines). This course also offers a relaxed, informative look at various genealogy terms, women’s lives in Western Pennsylvania, the frugal housewife, pioneer diaries, fun genealogy websites to visit and a light hearted look at a standard “family tree” poem making the rounds on the Internet today. An assortment of genealogy forms and materials will be available for purchase from the instructor.
FAMILY HISTORY - RESEARCH TECHNIQUES $150
For Beginners or Intermediate Researchers, this course offers information for those already researching. Topics include: Get Organized – practical advice and some helpful hints for consistent recordkeeping, note taking and researching. Forms for Researching – examples of organizational and record keeping forms for consistent reference and storage. Where do I go from here? Using the Source Checklist to expand your Research, we will cover the basics of using a research or source checklist to search for new information. Build a Library – the best books for beginners or intermediates. This course will also include some relaxed, informative topics (see Introduction to Genealogy). An assortment of genealogy forms and material will be available for purchase from the instructor.
FAMILY LORE – WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING $150
A course for people with or without experience who want to write about a pearl of personal history – and illustrate it. What have you longed to write about? What item or photograph do you have that takes you back to that place, conversation or experience? Bring ideas and items, paper and pencil, too. The course begins with an introduction to and practice with writing tools that can easily be used by participants. A field trip to the instructor’s studio is included and provides an opportunity to use a professional press. Explore and enjoy what is within! A materials fee of $5.00 is payable to the instructor at first class.
FELT RUG MAKING $150
Making felted wool rugs has a long history. Learn basic felting techniques, such as pre-felting and inlay to felt an area rug from wool. The process is enjoyable, a bit rigorous and requires some physical work. Please bring scissors, old towels and a bucket. A washboard is helpful if you have one. $40.00 materials fee to be paid to the instructor at first class.
FOLK ART PAINTING $150
This is a great course for the beginner to advanced student who wants to let their imagination soar! Folk art, also known as decorative painting, is considered to be “art for the people” with its origins among peasants. The beauty of this course is students learn that everyday objects can be turned into lovely works of art by applying the various techniques of the past such as decoupage, brush stroke techniques and color washes. Early history patterns from the English, French and Pennsylvania Dutch painting traditions will be discussed and incorporated into each student’s work.
FOLK ENSEMBLE $150
Music and merriment for the novice and intermediate folk musicians who would like to learn how to play with others. Blend a bagpipe with a guitar or a banjo with a fiddle. Discuss arrangement and music theory, rhythm and the unique challenges of tuning and playing different instruments together. Guest folk musicians may drop by for a tune or two. Bring your bagpipes, dulcimers, guitars, bodhrans, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, bouzoukis and anything else folk musical.
FOLK MUSIC WITH SIMPLE GIFTS $225
Three women plus twelve instruments equals one good time when the renowned folk trio, Simple Gifts, takes the stage. Combining tradition with innovation, Simple Gifts creates some of the finest arrangements in folk music today. Simple Gifts offers this stepby- step workshop for people with an interest in learning to play folk music. Simple Gifts will bring a variety of instruments for workshop participants to try. Heritage School’s small class size allows for plenty of interaction and attention. The workshop fee includes a Friday evening jam session (Halloween Monster Jam) at the Succop Conservancy and a concert at the Succop Theater on Saturday. Register early. This is a unique opportunity!
FOUR SEASON GARDEN $150
A course for the passionate gardener. Students will gain an understanding of gardening throughout the year. Each season holds different environmental characteristics that effect how a gardener operates. Students will get a basic overview of vegetable gardening. The course offers techniques that will allow gardeners to begin their growing season earlier than their neighbors and extend it through the harvest season. Students will learn organic methods of cold frames, composting and mulching.
GARDENING AND THE ENVIRONMENT $150
Gardening teaches good stewardship of the environment. Explore plant, insect and animal life, the science of soil, composting, recycling, entomology and ecosystems. A tour of The Conservancy Herb Garden and the Native American Garden offer a demonstration of design, use, purpose and history. Learn to design and maintain various theme gardens such as herb, butterfly, historical, aesthetic and community gardens. Ideas to bring what the garden yields into your home or classroom are discussed and reinforced with hands on activities such as starting plants or making a pizza with produce from the garden. A three-day option for this course spends more time on design and activities.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES $150
Start a family tradition of gingerbread houses anytime: Christmas, a Halloween haunted house, a gingerbread Easter basket or a birthday centerpiece. This course will inspire you. Learn the history, make the dough, create your house, mix the special glue and build away! Please bring a rolling pin, a roll of parchment paper, a small sharp knife and your imagination!
GLASS MOSAIC $150
The art of mosaic is one of the oldest artistic expressions in the history of man. The course includes a brief history of the early materials used to grace walls and floors and is designed for the beginner in the art of mosaics in ceramic and glass. Students will learn basic techniques and creative approaches with modern versions of mosaic materials to make a simple steppingstone to more intricate pieces. Students will use adhesives and mosaic fills and shape pieces using nippers and tools. Supply fee TBA to be paid to the instructor at first class.
GREEN BUILDING $150
In this course students will gain an understanding of why and how building a home that fits the landscape will be beneficial to their own property and to the environment. The course will cover a broad range of issues including passive solar heating, active solar energy, insulation, building materials and construction that fits local Western Pennsylvania weather changes. An evening workshop on the fall schedule will focus on interest areas of the participants.
GREEN HOMEOWNER $150
In this course homeowners will learn about many environmentally friendly techniques that can be applied to the everyday home. Students will learn about the importance of recycling, composting, re-using materials and energy saving. The course will allow students to discuss their daily routines and the amount of waste that is sent to the landfills. Each individual will take into account the organic and inorganic waste that is purchased, used and discarded. At the conclusion of the course the students will become more aware of their home materials and will save money while conserving our natural resources. An evening workshop on the fall schedule will focus on interest areas of the participants.
HERBAL COOKING $150
Be introduced to the smell, sight and uses of live herb plants and dried herbs. Gain insight into herbs used for culinary enjoyment and nutritional/health benefits. Take a look at how American cooking is based on the flavors of ancient and modern cultures around the world. Study peppermint, oregano, sage, basil, lemon balm, lavender and tarragon. Taste herb jellies and herbed bread. Learn about that special herbal sweetener, stevia, and learn to harvest and preserve herbs for later use. Design and grow your own culinary garden. Learn and take home propagation of culinary herb plants. The five-day course offers more hands on cooking of herb enhanced culinary delights and includes detailed instruction on how to maintain a windowsill herb garden for the winter months.
HERBAL SURPRISES IN THE KITCHEN $150
Cook and feast on herb bread, muffins, brushetta, pesto and pesto pasta. If you haven’t gained a couple of pounds the first day, you have another opportunity the second day! Try a savory cheesecake, herbal fruit salad, rose water truffles and rose dessert cheesecake tarts. Time permitting, there may be a field trip to Gerry’s home gardens. Supply fee is $5.00 paid to the instructor.
HERBZ WITH GERRY $150
This week long course will give participants a wide view of uses for common herbs you can easily grow in your garden or patio pots. A guided walk of The Conservancy Herb garden illustrates basics of garden design, plant selection and requirements. Learn how to harvest and preserve herbs and use them medicinally and in culinary adventures. Make and take home herbal cleaning aids, salve, flavored oil and vinegar, herb tea blends and spice blends. A highlight of this course will be a visit from the “Victorian Tea Lady” and a proper High Tea lunchtime fantasy featuring herb-alicious treats! $25.00 supply fee payable to the instructor at first class.
HISTORY, CULTURE, ART OF BEADING I $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Explore the history and types of beads, their sizes, colors, what they are made of and the tools needed for bead making. Learn about Native American influence in beading and the importance of “wampum” in America’s history. Find out where the beads came from, their meanings and how they were used in diplomatic procedure, communications, money and ransom. All from a Quahog! Beading on a loom and patterning will be introduced. Supply fee TBA to be paid to the instructor at first class.
HISTORY, CULTURE, ART OF BEADING II $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Native American techniques and patterns have survived hundreds of years. Patterns, colors and beading techniques can identify the crafter. Learn some of the simpler stitches, such as the Right Angle, Weave, Flower, Daisy, Ladder and Brick Stitch. Supply fee TBA to be paid to instructor at first class.
HISTORY & LIFE OF EASTERN WOODLAND INDIAN $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Where you stand today could well be the place where an earthen kiln was used to fire clay vessels or it could be the fire pit where meals were cooked by Native Americans. Explore a day and in the life of an Eastern Woodland Indian. Discuss their movement, village life, language and clothing. Learn how to make an item such as a pucker toe moccasin, a “Match coat” for cool mornings, a small bead loom for wampum or an “Amulet” bag.
ICONOGRAPHY $150
Basic Techniques and Symbolism. Eastern Orthodox Iconography has a language of its own, filled with symbolism and deep meaning. This two-day workshop will introduce the student to basic techniques in producing an icon. Class will begin with a brief description of iconography styles, history and the materials used. Step by step instruction will be given to paint/write an icon on a wooden panel using gold leaf and acrylic paints. The beginner and those with painting experience can both take and enjoy this class. $25.00 supply fee paid to the instructor at first class.
INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL WOODWORKING $150
Emphasis is on “The Old Hand Ways” of Traditional Trade instruction. After an overview of the history of the traditional trades from pre-historic times, students learn to identify useable hard and softwoods by looking at the trees and choosing wood suitable for specific projects. Students will also learn to anticipate changes in the wood by the drying process and by varying moisture levels in the environment, and why it is necessary to make some items out of green wood and others from dry wood. Students will become familiar with the names and uses of the traditional tools and gain hands on experience.
KNIFE MAKING $150
This course is offered to students of knifemaking. Previous blacksmithing experience is useful but not a requirement. Throughout the two sessions, each student will forge a high quality knife blade of his or her own design. The instructor will cover fire tending, steel selection, forging, edge packing, edge geometry, design, hardening and tempering. There will be a demonstration of making pattern welded steel (aka Damascus). This is an intense yet immensely rewarding class. Each student will take home his or her own creation. Small materials fee paid to the instructor.
LEGACY SCRAPBOOKING $150
Not sure what to do with those old photos? Begin a family tradition of visual storytelling. Bring your treasured photos and decoratively place them in a keepsake album for generations to come. Scrapbooking is a tradition similar to storytelling by preserving a legacy of visual and tactile memories rather than an auditory trail. This course includes scrapbooking tools, paper choices, design styles and conservation techniques. Bring as many as 20 photographs (usually 4-5 per page) and any memorabilia that may work with your photographs. Materials fee payable to the instructor at first class: $40.00 includes a 12x12 scrapbook with removable inserts, 12x12 acid free decorative paper, acid free stickers and cutouts, use of instructor’s scrapbooking pens, cutting tools and consumable supplies. If you bring your own tools please label them.
LET’S DRINK OUR HERBS $150
Experience a presentation by the Victorian Tea Lady on “dressing for tea in Victorian times”. Blend tea for take home tea bags and cook with teas. Learn to make herbal wines, punch filled ice rings, minted hot chocolate and vanilla. A field trip to Gerry’s home gardens may be included. Supply fee is $5.00 paid to instructor.
MAKING BASIC WOODWORKING TOOLS $150
Traditional techniques and tools are applied to making essential tools for wood crafting. The student learns how to safely “fell” a tree with an axe (and perhaps a crosscut saw) and how to “buck” it. Then students will engage in the “roughing out” process of removing unusable wood and make basic tools for green woodworking. Students will learn to exploit the weaknesses of wood to help split it and its strengths to join the pieces in the project. Making one’s own tools was part of what it meant to be a competent woodworker in the history of this trade.
MEDICINES OUT OF THE EARTH $150
Examine the historical and present-day uses of herbs to bring about physical, emotional and spiritual health. Discuss ancient civilizations of Greece and Egypt, Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic and European herbalism. Look into global origins of herbal medicines used today. Discover the botanical root of pharmacological medications, some endangered species, potential herb-drug interactions, wild herbs used by Native American cultures and nutritional content of wild and cultivated herbs. Individual herbs and herbal medicine preparations will be introduced. Learn herb culture, identification and uses from cooking to stress reduction and learn how to successfully grow herbs indoors and out. Hands on projects include preparing herbal salve, tea, poultice, tincture and the uses of essential oils in aromatherapy. Each day includes a sampling of a therapeutic tea.
NATIVE DOLLS $150
Native Dolls recreated in a traditional manner, trimmed with old-style materials, trade cloth, buckskin, beads and disks as in the 1800’s to early 1900’s Northern Plains Style. Enjoy tribal music and lore as you create. Materials may be gathered at home, purchased by self or through the instructor.
NATIVE AMERICAN GARDENING $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Prepare the Native American Garden area and learn how to plant a Three Sisters Garden. Help break ground for a garden of Indian Herbs. Learn the old ways – clearing and burning to prepare the ground and experience native traditions.
NATIVE AMERICAN STORYTELLING $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Storytelling has been a practice that has been critical in recording the human’s existence here on Turtle Island. Turtle Island? What is this place? Come visit with me while traveling down the “Red Path” on this island and experience my stories from my childhood, along with other tribal stories that have been given to me. Many of these stories were told to record tribal and family histories, but were also interjected into our “Protection” stories which are identified by well known symbolic items such as a Dream Catcher or Totem. Create your own story using the old, universal Native American symbols. Storytelling techniques combined with art techniques, including beads will be introduced. $45.00 supply fee to be paid to the instructor at first class.
NATURAL DYES & WILD TEAS $150
Before man-made dyes, plant ingredients were used to dye clothing. Nature is a boundless supply of color. Forage for fun and create unique and environmentally friendly dyes. Try your hand at plant identification, how to prepare and store dyes, what a mordant is and how to use it. Design your own natural plant dye garden in your backyard. Along with natural dyes, learn about natural teas. All ingredients can be found right outside your door. Natural teas require special preparation and care in gathering the ingredients needed. Learn the joy of how to find, gather and prepare ingredients to make your own teas. A reference and field guidebook list will be offered at the first class. Please bring your wildflower and/or tree guide (if you have one) to class.
NATURE AND ANIMAL PATHWAY $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Bring your walking shoes and wood spirit “Walking Stick” if you have one. Explore 50 acres of plant life and learn how animals play a role in flora and fauna life cycles. Discover the “Standing People”, the “Four Legged People” and the “Stone People”. Learn how important birds are and what it means to find a feather on your path. Identify tracks, scat and habitats. Discuss what animals symbolize in the Native American Culture and experience “Blessing and Honoring” ceremonies. Bring a handled basket for foraging.
NATURE’S MEDICINE $150
Explore the history of using herbs as nutrition and medicine to maintain and restore good health. Examine ancient through present day uses of herbs to bring about physical, emotional and spiritual health. Each session begins with herb tea. Learn about herbs used by civilizations including American Colonial, Native North American and Slave era traditions. Discover the global origins of herbal medicines used today and the botanical root of pharmacological medications. Topics covered include herb identification, growing herbs, culinary herbs for flavor and to boost nutrition and herbs used for first aid and stress reduction. Hands-on projects include making Lavender Soothing Tea, a therapeutic Bath Bag, a tincture and Queen of Hungary perfume or aftershave splash. $25.00 supply fee is paid to the instructor at first class.
OPEN FORGE - BLACKSMITHING $150
Ever wanted to try your hand at blacksmithing? This unique and flexible workshop lets you learn and create at your own pace. The instructor will provide personalized instruction and guidance and tools for you to learn with. Bring your favorite hammer with safety secured handle if you prefer.
PERIOD CRADLE MAKING $150
The art and skill of cradle-making includes learning how to cut and fit angles for open and hooded 18th and 19th century American and Victorian rocking cradles. Delight an expectant or un-expectant mother with a period cradle or make cradles for purchase. Tool list: hand saw, bow saw, mallet, wood chisels, brace and flathead and drill bits.
PICTURE FRAMING $150
By the 18th century, the miter joint (corners cut diagonally) became the popular form for joining a frame and is still in use today. Please join me in an adventure into the world of framing from cutting mats to mitering and assembling a frame. The course covers the art of picture framing, conservation framing and artwork options including backing, attaching, matting, glazing and framing choices. You will build a frame and learn the process. No previous experience is required. Please bring 10x12 to 12x16 artwork you wish to frame. Materials fee payable to the instructor at first class: $70.00 includes a custom wooden frame of your choice, an acid free mat, 1/8 inch foam core mounting board, glass, backing paper and wire to hang the finished piece. Also included is the use of instructor’s cutting and framing tools and consumable supplies.
PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY & GULLAH TRADITION $150
“Gullah” women brought with them their time-honored traditions, unique cooking skills and intensely beautiful craftsmanship. Learn about the rich Gullah history while you learn to make a pine basket from the long leaf pine of the south. Spend a day in the kitchen preparing and tasting wonderful Gullah food and learn a bit about their unique African fabric dying methods and the symbolic meaning of their designs. Susan Catanzaritio will visit to discuss the symbolism of the Underground Railroad quilts.
POETRY AND ART $150
This course combines horticulture, artistry and poetry. You will use various techniques and mediums to capture and illustrate The Conservancy’s abundant natural resources. Poetry of your own or by Margaret Succop will accompany your Conservancy images. This course provides an opportunity for you to experiment and collaborate with fellow artists and mixed mediums.
PRESERVING THE HERBAL HARVEST $150
Discuss the various techniques of dehydrating, freezing and pressing herbs and flowers. Walk the lovely herb garden at The Conservancy to clip herbs to dehydrate. Make herbal oil, vinegar and a floral honey. Make spice blends for chicken, a rub for roast beef and a fruit blend. Prepare potpourri, a catnip bag, doggie shampoo and perhaps have time for pressed floral notepaper. A trip to Gerry’s home gardens may be included. A $5.00 supply fee is paid to the instructor at first class.
RELAX AND BE WELL $150
Enjoy a spa day. Prepare a blend for an herbal footbath and experience an herbal facial sauna. Make bath salts, a tub tea bag, herbal dryer bags, mouthwash and gargle, a milk bath and rose bath beads. Prepare rosewater and glycerin hand lotion, a calendula cream and St. John’s Wort muscle rub. Discuss essential oils in treatment of warts, nail fungus, etc. A trip to Gerry’s home gardens may be included. A supply fee of $5.00 is paid to the instructor at first class.
ROCK PAINTING $150
Transform rocks into animals, vegetable or rock babies, floral designs to flags. Capture your pet’s image, a native animal or a mythical beast. Your imagination and the painting techniques you learn in this course introduce you to a whimsical folk art. Finding the perfect rock provides a great opportunity to explore The Conservancy’s beautiful acres and enjoy the trails and ponds. Acrylic paint is an ideal medium. Bring paint and supplies or purchase from instructor.
TAPESTRY WEAVING WITH THE THEO MORMON TECHNIQUE $150
Learn to create a tapestry weaving on a four-harness loom. Theo Mormon’s work and processes will be introduced. A knowledge of how to dress a loom is helpful but not necessary. Bring an image or prepared idea. Simple imagery and large areas of color are recommended. Bring a ruler, paper, pencil, scissors, measuring tape and novelty yarn. Loom and equipment will be provided. $45.00 materials fee paid to the instructor at first class.
TEA AND THE SOCIAL GRACES $150
The world of “the tea” awaits you in this course. We will taste teas from around the world, recognize their nuances, bake a fresh batch of scones and enjoy them with lemon curd. We will study the history of tea and the near-lost vintage counterparts: practicing courtesies, etiquette, the beauty of the handwritten letter and hats through the ages. Afternoon Tea: Tips, Terms and Traditions by Ellen Easton will be a reference and may be purchased but is not required. Materials fee TBA to be paid to the instructor at first class.
TRADITIONAL NATIVE-STYLE DRUM $150
Native-Style Drums are made from rawhide stretched over a wooden frame and decorated with your chosen design. Learn about traditions and the significance of native drumming. Tribal music will inspire your own life song.
TRADITIONAL WOOD CARVING $150
Hand carve Folk Art from native wood using traditional carving techniques and tools. Projects will include a rabbit, bird and wolf. No experience is necessary and carvers of all levels are welcome. Materials fee of $30.00 payable to the instructor at the first class includes a carving knife.
USING THE HERBS WE GATHER $150
Discover the utility of herbs by our ancestors for their food and why they trusted them completely. Dig into herb uses in the garden and learn about companion planting, fertilizing and insect repelling. Explore the world of herbs. Spend a day saturated in aromatherapy: bath salts, massage lotions and healthful cleaner. Experience the tantalizing taste of herbs by preparing an herbal snack each day, such as lemon verbenacranberry jelly or chive-tarragon butter with crackers or basil and feta cheese pesto with bagels. Learn to identify herb plants by sight and scent, tour the Herb Garden on The Conservancy grounds and accomplish hands on projects. Take home your pots of planted herb seeds and cuttings to nurture on your winter windowsill. Learn harvesting and preserving techniques and how to use herbs decoratively. Develop an appreciation, respect and relationship with the most useful group of plants on the earth.
WALL MURAL $150
The art of creating murals has one of the longest histories since the beginning of mankind. Its earliest origins began in caves with more refined works found in homes of stone. In this course, we will learn the history of murals and beginner techniques such as marbling and the early American scrollwork. Students will observe techniques applied in the Marcraig House at the Conservancy. In addition to stencils, students will learn free hand painting techniques such as marbleizing, rag rolling and sponging.
WAMPUM $150
Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri
Most people associate “wampum” with money, but there is another world in that quahog shell of the Atlantic coast. When the Lenape lived near the Atlantic coast, wampum was very important to the everyday functions of the family, village and tribe. Wampum beads were used to record tribal history, family history, treaties with settlers, announcements and burials. Learn how to construct a loom, how to cut warps and begin beading a wampum belt.
WOODWORKING - 18TH CENTURY BENCHES $150
Learn the decorative design and reproduction of an 18th century garden bench. Making historically correct products with traditional tools and techniques is a rewarding activity and a marketable skill. Bring your tools: hand saws, bow saw, brace, flathead (screwdriver like), drill bits and wood mallet.
WOODWORKING - MAKING A BUCKET $150
Combining the trades of woodworker and blacksmith, the student will engage in wet coopering and learn how to make an 18th century bucket. The apprentice cooper will employ the shavinghorse and numerous coopering tools to (in the language of Zen) “make circles”: broadaxe, drawknife, compass, croze, drift, hammer and blacksmith’s forge to shape the metal bands and rivets that, when driven down, create the compression to make the bucket water tight.
WOODWORKING – MAKING A WHEELBARROW $150
Learn to make a wheelbarrow and you will be able to make almost anything. Instruction includes the skill of wheelwright in making the hub, fellies and spokes, blacksmithing to make the “iron” tire to place around the wheel and woodworking to create the frame and body. Tools: hatchet, saw, brace, drawknife and hammer.
WOODWORKING – MAKING RAKES & HAYFORKS $150
Students will learn the intricate process of making durable rakes and/or the hayfork. The process allows the tree’s natural strength to pass unbroken into the finished product. Students will also learn how to exploit the drying of greenwood to make the joints tight and permanent and will learn which woods to use for each part. The instructor will provide a tool list.
WOODWORKING–18TH CENTURY WINDOW SASH $150
Students are introduced to the specialty trade in 18th century woodworking know as sash joinery and will learn the intricacies and techniques of the trade of a sash-joiner. Tools used are the rabbit plane, the ovolo plane, the in-cannel gouge, brace and saw.
WOOD RELIEF CARVING $150
Relief carving is an old age art form that combines twodimensional design with three-dimensional sculpture technique. Using simple hand tools, students will learn how to design, carve and finish their unique pieces. Beginners to experienced wood carvers welcome. $50.00 materials fee, paid to the instructor at the first class, covers all materials and a good quality six piece carving tool set.
