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    505 CARROLL ST
    BKLYN (PARK SLOPE), NY 11215
    TEL: (718) 369-0222

    26 W 8TH ST
    NEW YORK, NY 10011
    TEL: (646) 225-6554

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    info@textileartscenter.com






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    Design: Dowland

     
    © 2011 Textile Arts Center LLC

     

    About the Getaway Program

    Make art with a small group of creative people, learn a wealth of information, and really remember what breathing easy means. In other words, join us for Adult Summer Camp!

    In homage to the area’s rustic beauty, our week-long getaway classes will take place in semi-open studios, at Keshini Fiber Farm run by local designer, Ambika Conroy. 

    This area of the Catskills has always been popular with artists because of its beauty, and representation of exploration and discovery. New Yorkers have been escaping here since the 1850’s and you are sure to soon see why! The creative company will have you feeling joyful and inspired. It’s a treat for your body and soul.


    These 5-day retreats are perfect for anyone looking to get out of their usual surroundings, make new friends, and learn something new.


    Ready to apply? Click here!

    		 



    Week 1 - Classes Offered (Aug 12-16)


    Weaving
    If you’ve never woven before, there is little one can do to truly describe the satisfaction of creating and designing your own fabric on one of man’s oldest pieces of machinery. Weaving is not for the faint of heart -- the dressing of the loom is tedious and time consuming. Yet once through the process, the act of weaving is both exhilarating and meditative.

    During this week, students will learn the basics of weaving including how to dress a floor loom, understand and use a pattern draft, and explore basic weave structures. In addition, the week in nature is meant as a blissful creative retreat. We will spend plenty of time using our surroundings as inspiration, and examining the use of other media within our weaving for experimentation.


    Leather Working w/ Natural Dyes
    This class we will review historical uses of leather and tanning, and finishing processes. Using vegetable tanned leather each student will create a swatch library of different leather types, weights, and colors.

    Through this exploration students gain sensitivity, awareness, and creative inspiration to make their final piece of dyed leather. The specific PH and temperature needs for leather dying will be covered. Resist dying, painting, natural indigo vat dying, and shibori techniques will all be taught.

    Pre requisites: some background, knowledge or experience in natural dying or leather
    working is required.
    		 

     
    Week 2 - Classes Offered (Aug 19-23)


    Natural Dyeing
    The art of dyeing fibers with natural materials has been practiced for more than 2000 years all over the world. Natural dye plants yield beautiful and diverse colors with a depth that no synthetic dyes can replicate.

    During the week, students will learn the principles of dyeing with natural dyes, including mordanting, extraction of dyes and color modifiers. In addition, students will learn some resist dyeing techniques, such as shibori. The amazing natural bounty of the Catskills will be used not only as a source of inspiration, but as a source of dye materials as well, that students will forage and collect.

    No experience is necessary for this class


    Printing in Nature
    In the midst of this idyllic setting and inspiration, students will be exploring unconventional screen printing techniques such as stencils and deconstructive printing.

    Methods of designing patterns, repeats, surface effects, color and layering will be explored, using appropriate pigments and dyes for setting colors permanently.

    Through hands on lectures, natures walks, design projects and discussions students will build a "natural" foundation for future design work.

    No experience is necessary for this class, but a basic understanding of screen printing is helpful.
     




     

    Schedules and Rates

    Dates + Class Options: (descriptions above)
    Week 1 - August 12-16    REGISTER
    Weaving
    Leather Working w/ Natural Dyes

    Week 2 - August 19-23    REGISTER
    Natural Dyeing
    Deconstructed Printing


    Daily Schedule    :
    8-8:45AM - Morning Yoga
    9-10AM - Breakfast in the main cabin kitchen
    10AM-1PM - Class Time
    1PM-2PM - Lunch
    2-4PM - Free/Studio Time
    4-6PM - Class Time
    7-8PM - Dinner
    8-10PM - Open Studio Time
     

    Cost: 
    Class tuition is $600, and covers instruction, materials, and food for 5 days. Lodging is an additional cost, for which there are a few options -- rates vary between $250-$600 for the week. Please see the application form for all rates and descriptions. Students are responsible for travel to and from the Getaways, and for additional materials they choose to bring.

    Our daily schedule includes two class times, open studio, 3 family-style meals, as well as free time to enjoy the area. After breakfast, classes meet during the morning and afternoon, followed by open studio time to work on your project. We end the day sharing a family-style dinner, and optional group activities.

    Email us with any questions!

    View the recap of Summer 2012 Weaving + Dyeing, or Fall 2012 Fiber to Fabric!