Saturday September 20

Tile making with Fraser River clay @ Richmond Art Gallery

Using clay and plants gathered from the Fraser River, we'll make decorative tiles which will be fired at a later date. Clay from the Fraser is low-fire, so it will fire a bright brick red and have a slightly rough texture. When fired to high temperatures it will melt and can be used as a dark brownish-purple glaze.

Local or wild clay is very different to store-bought clay; it can be unreliable and may not turn out as you hope, but it also allows us to work with the land in its purest local form, so bring a spirit of experimentation and curiosity! You'll have the opportunity to experience the clay at various different stages—freshly dug, dried, and wet—and observe the ways it changes colour and texture.

This event will be hosted at Richmond Art Gallery’s classroom space.

More details are available at the registration link below- space is limited so make sure you save your spot soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tile-making-with-fraser-river-clay-tickets-1538178115149?aff=oddtdtcreator

Saturday September 13

Sun prints and natural chemistry

As we head towards the fall, let's make the most of the last sunny days with some sun prints and alternative photography experiments!

There are lots of interesting ways to work with the natural chemistry of plants to make cameraless images. Most people have seen or tried out the classic cyanotype method. But have you heard of toning cyanotypes to get different colours, or making phytograms and lumen prints with expired photographic paper?

There are a few different experiments we can do depending on how the weather cooperates. If it's raining (boo!) I have some UV lights we can use, and you can learn a simple way to make your own exposure box for those dreary winter months.

More details are available at the registration link below- space is limited so make sure you save your spot soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sun-prints-and-natural-chemistry-tickets-1661572220239?aff=oddtdtcreator

Saturday August 30 and Sunday August 31

Super 8 filming at Garry Point Park

Join EPFC North and Cat Hart for a fun and beginner-friendly 2-day workshop celebrating Super 8 filmmaking and eco-processing.

On Day 1, we’ll learn about film history, camera mechanics and analogue cinematography techniques and then put our new knowledge into practice as we do some collaborative filming outdoors as we ramble around Garry Point Park.

On Day 2, we’ll make our own eco-friendly developer brew with ingredients from the kitchen and garden, including local leaves, flowers and fruit gathered during Day 1’s filming expedition.

Workshop support generously provided by the Vancouver Foundation Neighbourhood Small Grants, Richmond Cares Richmond Gives, the Association fo Neighbourhood Houses BC, and the Branscombe House Artist Residency!

More details are available at the registration link below- space is limited so make sure you save your spot soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/super-8-filming-at-garry-point-park-tickets-1567778590969

Sunday August 17

Hand weaving nets

Nets have long been made by hand for fishing, as textile, to carry materials, and so many other uses. Traditionally they would have been hand woven and repaired using a net needle similar to a shuttle used on the loom.

In this workshop we'll learn some basic net-making techniques including how to 'cast on' to use a common knitting term, and how to knit the open weave. We'll learn how to load your net needle, traditional net-making materials, and how you can use local and invasive plants to make your own twine at home. And we'll talk about the history of fishing on the Fraser, from Musqueam seasonal fishing sites to the canneries to the way Steveston is today.

More details are available at the registration link below- space is limited so make sure you save your spot soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hand-weaving-nets-tickets-1567605292629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Saturday July 26

Experiments in sun printing

I've had a lot of requests for another cyanotype/sun printing workshop, so I've scheduled two for Saturday July 26!

If you've made cyanotype prints before, this is a good workshop to experiment and push the limits of what you can do with the sun and a few additional kitchen supplies. If you've never tried making sun prints before, that's fine too! No experience is necessary.

Through our experiments, we'll explore Richmond's early mudflat and bog ecologies, its transformation into agricultural lands through the construction of dikes and ditches, and the constant fight to keep the Fraser River at bay.

More details are available at the registration link below- space is limited so make sure you save your spot soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/experiments-with-sun-printing-tickets-1497235635089?aff=oddtdtcreator

Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13

Making art with invasive plants: blackberry twine

It's officially summer and that means invasive plants are booming. I have two workshops coming up soon, and both will be working with Himalayan blackberry, which is invasive in BC.

In the first on Saturday July 12, we'll meet at Paulik Park (view in google maps here) to help Richmond Garden Club remove some blackberry and make sure it doesn't take over the park.

The next day on Sunday July 13, we'll meet back at Branscombe House to process the blackberry and make twine for weaving nets. If we have time, we'll start processing the blackberry leaves to make paper.

You can sign up for both days, or just come to one or the other. There's a morning and an afternoon session available on Sunday for the art-making.

More details are available at the registration link- space is limited so make sure you save your spot soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-art-with-invasives-blackberry-twine-tickets-1461840627669

Friday June 28- Estuary Festival

SuperSeeded Part 2

This second workshop continues our exploration of the history and ecology of the land now know as Hadleigh Park Farm, collaborating with the Salvation Army folks to draw attention to their rewilding project. Join us in making temporary sculptures from local clay gathered from the site, along with sand, soil, and fertilizer from the cows, plus seeds from local plants.

Using a sustainable building technique called rammed earth, we’ll make ‘sand castle’ sculptures and then 'plant' them in the fields that are being rewilded. The clay will help to bind the materials together so the sculptures will be semi-permanent, but when the rain starts later in the year, the seeds should germinate and start to break through/break down the sculptures.

All are welcome! You can get stuck in and be hands-on with the making, or just watch and chat with us. We'll be just down the hill from Hadleigh Castle in the south-west fields, making seed castles in a couple of locations (we'll have some signage up,, but make sure you register so we can give you clear directions. Folks can drop in at any time between 10 and 3pm.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/superseeded-tickets-1345111668209

Friday June 27- Estuary Festival

SuperSeeded Part 1

This workshop explores the history and ecology of the land now know as Hadleigh Park Farm. Join us in making temporary sculptures from local materials including clay, sand, soil, and seeds gathered from the site. Using a sustainable building technique called rammed earth, we’ll make ‘sand castle’ sculptures that are destined to break down, referencing the ruins of Hadleigh Castle.

Come along to a low tide morning walk along the sea wall while Amber shares information about local edible and medicinal local plants, and Cat shares some of the Salvation Army history of the site. We'll make castles at the old Salvation Army wharf, decorate them with pottery that we've found in the area, and then watch the tide come in and see what remains of the sculptures as the water rises.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/superseeded-tickets-1345111668209