These workshops are held in conjunction with the Understanding Others: Philippine Traditional Arts and Culture exhibition (through January 3, 2010) in order to provide deeper insights into the Philippine folk traditions and culture. All the workshops will provide different projects in order to accommodate participants with various levels of experience – beginners to advanced. Families Are Welcome!

Class Description: Baybayin is the Pre-Hispanic Writing in the Philippines, which uses a number of glyphs on various materials. Baybayin comes from the root word baybay meaning “spell.” According to some accounts, writing was introduced in the 14th century, and the script originated from the Kavi script of Java, the Buginese script of Celebes or from Sanskrit. In the beginning baybayin was used to record sales between seafaring merchants and the people living near the waters. Later, the script was employed for personal communication and love letters, and for writing incantations, songs and poetry. With a dagger or stick, or some other sharp instrument, the ancient Filipinos scored the curvilinear lines of the script on bamboo tubes, palm fronds, living trees, fruit rinds and other natural materials. Sometimes they used a plant sap to color the glyphs or they rubbed into ash to make the characters stand out. In some far reaches of the Philippines, a handful of people still write their love songs in some form of baybayin. The participants will learn the structure of the script and how to write short messages using the glyphs. Instructor: Ameurfina Nazario

Class Description: In the Philippines, anything and everything is both useful and sacred. Filipinos usually eat eggs for breakfast and make with them a lot of Philippine desserts, such as the leche flan; but they also use them in various ceremonies. Eggshells are usually discarded unless you are a Filipino who grew up creating eggshell mosaic, an expression of beauty from a seemingly unusable organic material. Philippine eggshell mosaic as a traditional art form depicts Philippine designs, sceneries, and festivals. The creation of this folk art begins with a hand-drawn design on a cardboard or on a piece of wood. The small pieces of cracked eggshells are then glued to cover the design. The eggshells are painted, usually using water color, in order to give more depth and definition to the design. Participants will learn some of the traditional Philippine mosaic patterns or will create their own designs. Instructor: Ameurfina Nazario

Class Description: In the Philippines, the traditional folk art of paper-folding is a way for children to create their own toys that are miniature versions of everyday objects. Usually, children will do paper-folding even before they learn to read. The participants in this class, beginners in this art form, will learn to make the pamaypay (fan) and bangka (boat). Older children and adults will have the opportunity to make a parol, a Christmas lantern. This is a great family activity! Instructor: Mirinisa Myers

Paper Cutting

November 14    3pm to 5pm
Location: Event Center
Ages 9 and above (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Fee: $10 Members /$12 Non-Members
Class Size Limit: 20
Class Description: In the Philippines, the art of creating paper-cuts has been practiced for hundreds of years. The earliest cut designs were mostly likely made on leaves or tree bark. The Philippine Pahiyas Festival is an impressive example of paper-cutting integrated into Philippine culture. Originating in the 16th century, the Pahiyas Festival is a harvest festival that honors San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The town of Lucban, Quezon celebrates this Festival with grand pageantry and colorful design, decorating procession routes and entire facades of houses with fresh harvest objects and kiping (rice paper) cut into different shapes of flowers, fruits, and various designs. Participants in this class will learn traditional paper-cuts for creating a chain of paper dolls, paper trees, or paper houses. Advanced students can create parol’s (kite) tail by multiple folding and cutting delicate paper. Instructor: Mirinisa Myers

FOLK ART WORKSHOPS

Introduction to Pysanka (Ukrainian Egg Decorating)
December 5     11am to 1:30pm
Location: Education Center/Stained Glass Studio
Ages 12 and above
Fee: $18 Members/$20 Non-Members
Class Size Limit: 15

Class Description: A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg that is handcrafted in the old traditional wax resist batik technique handed down through generations of Ukrainian people. The eggs are famous for their colorful designs and patterns. Over 2000 years ago, people decorated eggs believing that great power was embodied in the egg. To them, the egg symbolized life, and rebirth. It meant the coming of Spring, and with its promise of new hope, life and prosperity. With the advent of Christianity many symbols were adapted to symbolize the Resurrection with promise of eternal life. Legend has it that as long as pysanky are decorated, goodness will prevail over evil throughout the world. Pysanky eggs can take many hours to complete depending on the intricacy of the design and the size of the egg.

In Introduction to Pysanka, a beginner’s class, you’ll learn the ancient technique of how to use the wax and Kistka-drawing instrument. You’ll learn about designing patterns and symbols, dying methods, wax burning,and finishing techniques. Learn about the unique symbols, patterns, and vibrant colors used in pysanky and see what stunning results you can produce! Try out elaborate patterns and see what stunning results you can produce! Instructor: Stephanie Hryckowian

Class Description: In this follow-up class to Introduction to Pysanka, students will learn new techniques and methods of ancient Ukrainian art using wax and dyes. In the Intermediate Class the experienced student, those who have tried Pysanky, will learn how to make a holiday ornament with the various holiday designs, patterns and symbols. Each student will work on a goose egg in class. Make a great ornament for your tree or give as a gift! Instructor: Stephanie Hryckowian

Workshop Registration Form / PDF