Press Releases 2006
Register Now! Italian Arts & Crafts Workshops
CONTACT:
Janet Peterson,
Marketing and Public Relations Director
TEL: (856) 825-6800, Ext. 108
FAX: (856) 825-2410
E-MAIL:
jpeterson@wheatonvillage.org
DOWN JERSEY FOLKLIFE
CENTER AT WHEATON VILLAGE PRESENTS WORKSHOPS
AND CLASSES IN ITALIAN TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS
MILLVILLE, NJ – The
Down Jersey
Folklife Center
at Wheaton Village presents a series of workshops
and classes as part of a major project called “Festa dell’ Arte: A Celebration
of Italian and Italian-American Arts and Culture.” The project includes
exhibitions, art and craft workshops, music and dance performances. It
represents individuals and groups who have a special commitment to Italian
arts, history, customs and traditions, as well as to the cultural vitality of South Jersey.
All workshops and
classes are designed for adults and families, for people with different skill
levels and different preliminary knowledge about the specific forms. The
instructors are well-established artists with rich teaching experience. The
workshops and classes are:
■ Fresco Painting with Jesse Gugliermo
Demolli.
May 13 (Part I) from 1 to 4 p.m. and
May 14 (Part II) from 2 to 4
p.m. Ceramic Studio (Classroom)
Class is limited to 20 people. Registration Fee: $40
(the fee includes Part I and Part II). Members: $36. No fee for children 12 and
under when accompanied by a registered adult.
Fresco in Italian, literally
means fresh and in the art it means
wet plaster. Painting a fresco is not romantic work, it’s dirty, it’s wet, it’s
physical labor and it takes more than one person to create a true fresco. Join
Demolli for a hands-on demonstration and workshop as he creates a fresco of Saint Joseph for the Italian cultural Festa at Wheaton Village on September 16 and 17. It would
be appreciated if apprentices came prepared and dressed for very wet work
conditions and physical labor. This will be a collaborative project.
■
Glass
Painting for the Artist: Flowers of the Italian Renaissance with J. Kenneth
Leap.
May
20 (Part I) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
May
21 (Part II) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stained
Glass Studio.
Class is limited to 8 people. Registration Fee: $200 (includes Part I
and Part II) Members: $180.
In this two-day class students will explore the
symbolism of plants and flowers in Renaissance painting while drawing from
direct observation in the classroom. The curriculum is designed to strengthen
the student’s ability to draw, shade, compose and stylize. Drawing instruction
will be given for all levels. Sketches produced in charcoal and ink will be
painted onto glass using vitreous pigments and fired in the kiln. This historic
technique was used to create imagery for the stained glass windows of the great
cathedrals of Europe. Leap maintains a
teaching studio at Wheaton
Village.
■ Italian Bobbin Lace (Tape Lace and Milanese Style) with
Laura Friesel.
June 3 (Part I) from 1 to 3 p.m. and June 10
(Part II) from 2 to 4 p.m. Event
Center.
Class is limited to 12
people. Registration Fee: $30 (includes Part I and Part II) Members: $27.
Supply Fee: $3 (for students who do not have their own equipment). Please
specify your skill level and need for equipment when you register.
Bobbin lace is a form of off-loom weaving that originated in the early Renaissance in
northern Italy in the area
around Milan.
Bobbin lace involves removing threads from a solid piece of fine fabric and
whipping together those threads that remain to produce a light, airy fabric.
This workshop will cover two styles of lace making: Tape Lace, which was adapted throughout many countries in Europe because it is quick and easy to make; and the Milanese Style Lace, a more
complicated process. The class will
encompass three skill levels: Beginning lace makers will make a
traditional Italian tape lace heart. No previous lace making experience is
necessary. Intermediate lace
makers will make a traditional Italian tape lace butterfly. This can be used
for a pin when completed. Students must have good knowledge of the basic
stitches as well as the ability to make a foot side. Advanced lace makers will make a Milanese cross or choose from
several other Milanese or tape options. Students must be able to analyze a
pricking and read diagram. All supplies will be furnished, although students
are encouraged to use their own equipment if they have it. Lace makers bringing
their own equipment will receive information about thread, pins, number of
pairs required, etc. in early May.
■ Paul Torna Tarantella Dance Workshop.
June 3 from
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Event
Center.
There is no class limit but registration is required. The workshop is for
adults and children 10 and above. Registration Fee: $10. Members: $9.00.
The
workshop’s goal is to expose participants to several Italian folk dances such
as Tarantella apoletana, Tarantella
Siciliana, the Quadriglia and La Danza. All
abilities are welcome and no dance experience is required. Wear cool clothing.
Shoes should be comfortable. Avoid flip flops, clogs and high heels.
■ Sicilian Puppets Making with
Ann and George Neff (Dr. Neff’s
Incredible Puppet Company) June 24 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Ceramic Studio (Classroom)
Class is limited to 20 people. Families and
children 9 and above are welcome. Registration Fee: $20. Members: $18. Supply Fee:
$5. Fee for children 9 to 12: $10. Children must be accompanied by a registered
adult.
The workshop will honor the Sicilian Marionette tradition. Participants will learn
about this great Italian cultural contribution, its history and stories, and
the mighty characters who have entertained generations throughout the world.
They will also have the opportunity to construct a simple marionette rod puppet
patterned after the traditional Sicilian puppet and to practice manipulating
their creation in the Sicilian style.
Pre-registration for workshops is required.
Payment can be made with a credit card or a check made payable to Down
Jersey Folklife Center at Wheaton Village. Spaces are very limited.
Participants will receive a confirmation call at least one week prior to the
workshop. Refunds will be given up to one week prior to the beginning of the
workshop. After this time the workshop and/or class fee is non-refundable. Wheaton Village reserves the right to cancel a
workshop due to minimal enrollment. If a cancellation occurs, the Village will
refund all workshop fees.
For more information, call 1-800-998-4552 or
856-825-6800, extension 109, or visit
www.wheatonvillage.org. E-mail: mail@wheatonvillage.org.
Wheaton Village strives to ensure the
accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with
disabilities. Call two weeks in advance for special accommodations.
This program was made possible by a general
operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division
of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. The Down Jersey
Folklife Center
programs are supported in part by grants from the New Jersey State Council on
the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the
Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge
Foundation, and the National Park Service. The Center is further supported by
residents and groups with an interest in the traditional art and culture of
southern New Jersey.
###
Press Release Contact Information
Sign up for the Wheaton Journal
