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Instructor: Tony Williams Saturday & Sunday, July 24 & 25, 10 – 4pm Students will explore the Art of Mark making using a variety of tools and techniques (including wax, raffia and cassava (yucca) paste) to form a resist, creating patterns and textures when dyeing with Natural and synthetic Indigo. This two day intensive will explore African Designs and Adire patterns while discovering the origin of Indigo in the Americas and its importance. Adire Alabela Batik, Adire Eleko, Adire Oniko Tie-Dye and will all be processes we will explore in this class. Adire Alabela, which means wax resist, is the Yoruba version of batik. Using wood stamps, stencils, or foam rubber, beeswax or paraffin wax is applied to the fabric. The fabric is then dyed and the process is repeated with the next color. Adire Oniko is tied or wrapped with raffia to resist the dye. Two different tie-dye techniques will be taught using raffia. Stitch resist is when raffia is sewn with a needle into fabric to create design. The second process uses raffia and sometimes assorted seeds or other small items to tie designs into fabric by hand. Once the designs have been created, the fabric is dyed and dried before the raffia is taken out to show off the resist patterns. Adire Eleko is the process of creating designs using cassava paste (yucca) applied with a small broom and a chicken feather. Cassava can be applied by stencil or by hand. After drying, the piece is dipped in Indigo or other dye and the cassava paste is removed leaving a resist pattern. About the Instructor: Tony Williams is a Cleveland based artist who's approach to works of art is like the Ashanti proverb. “You must you must act as if it's impossible to fail." Whether working in paper or a fabric quilt, or a pen and ink illustrations, his sense of design and line quality are always present in his work. A former student of the Cleveland Institute of Art, and a graduate of the Art of the Institute of Pittsburgh. Tony uses his life experience as a catalyst for his work. A self-taught Indigo artist, costume designer and Accessory designer in New York's garment industry have molded and shaped his view and eye for design. Tony uses his willingness to experiment and try new techniques and methods to expresses Art. Tony's work has been shown in numerous local and national juried exhibits, international exhibitions and publications have featured his work. Tony is currently working with Indigo on paper. -
Instructor: Tony Williams Saturday, March 20, 10 – 4pm Students will explore the Art of Mark making using a variety of tools and techniques to form a resist, creating patterns and textures when dyeing with Indigo. Adire Alabela, which means wax resist, is the Yoruba version of batik. Using wood stamps, stencils, or foam rubber, beeswax or paraffin wax is applied to the fabric. The fabric is then dyed and the process is repeated with the next color. Adire Oniko is tied or wrapped with raffia to resist the dye. Two different tie-dye techniques will be taught using raffia. Stitch resist is when raffia is sewn with a needle into fabric to create design. The second process uses raffia and sometimes assorted seeds or other small items to tie designs into fabric by hand. Once the designs have been created, the fabric is dyed and dried before the raffia is taken out to show off the resist patterns. We will explore African Designs and Adire patterns while discovering the origin of Indigo in the Americas and its importance. Tony Williams is a Cleveland based artist whose approach to works of art is like the Ashanti proverb. “You must you must act as if it’s impossible to fail.” Whether working in paper or a fabric quilt, or a pen and ink illustrations, his sense of design and line quality are always present in his work. A former student of the Cleveland Institute of Art, and a graduate of the Art of the Institute of Pittsburgh 1983, Tony uses his life experience as a catalyst for his work. A self-taught Indigo artist, costume designer and Accessory designer in New York’s garment industry have molded and shaped his view and eye for design. Tony uses his willingness to experiment and try new techniques and methods to expresses Art. Tony’s work has been shown in numerous local and national juried exhibits, international exhibitions and publications have featured his work. Tony is currently working with Indigo on paper, writing and illustrating children’s’ books. -
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Instructor: Deb Berkebile Saturday, April 24, 10 – 4pm Eco Printing is a form of natural dyeing where plant materials are bundled and use a direct contact printing method, drawing out tannins & pigments from plants to make interesting and surprising marks on protein (silk, wool) fibers which are transferred to fabric via steaming or boiling. Two for one bundling is a favorite technique. Learn how to make an iron blanket which dramatically changes and deepens the colors of the printed leaves.You will learn how to use natural dyes on your pre-mordanted silk fabrics, and the use of color blankets. Enjoy creating your own fabulous Ecoprinted scarves. -
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Instructor: Sandy Shelenberger Saturday, May 8, 10am - 4pm Experimental Screen Printing is a combination of traditional screen printing, painting and fabric surface design. This is a great opportunity to learn about the techniques of screen printing on fabric, without the added expense of photo emulsion and a dark room. This process is great for home dyers without the equipment for a full screen printing practice. Manipulate your imagery with stencils and resists directly on the screen. Experiment with layering and mixing thickened dye. This process is full of the unknown! Experienced artists and beginners will both walk away with new knowledge and lots of results. -
Create your own Fiber Jewelry! August 14, 10-4pm In this workshop participants will have chance to learn the basic macramé skills and ancient Chinese weaving Techniques- Nianzhi. This is a unique technique that was commonly used in basketry and Jewelry. Very intricate texture can be achieved and by combining with Macramé it will make fabulous fiber art piece. All participants will learn how to make fiber jewelry in a fun and supportive environment. About the Artist: Xuena Pu is a Columbus based independent fashion designer. She was born and grew up in Kaifeng China, an ancient Chinese city. She immigrated to the US in 2014 and graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design in May 2020. She is the 2020-2021 Emerging Artist Fellow at Praxis Fiber Workshop. -
Congratulations on your full month residency at the Praxis Digital Weaving Lab! We are thrilled to welcome you. -
Congratulations on your residency at the Praxis Digital Weaving Lab! We are thrilled to welcome you.
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Congratulations on your residency at the Praxis Digital Weaving Lab! We are thrilled to welcome you.
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Instructor: Deb Berkebile Saturday, May 22, 10 – 4pm In this class students will learn a low immersion dyeing technique with ice and MX dyes. This is a great way to apply multiple colors to plant based fibers and is a fun and easy class, perfect for beginners. Experiment with different ways of binding and folding the fabric to create different effects and blending of multiple colors. All materials are included. -
$50 per hour of individual instruction with Praxis staff! -
Instructor: Denise Williams Wednesdays: Feb. 24, Mar. 3, 10, & 17 6-9pmSpinning yarn is one of the oldest fiber traditions, the basic techniques of which have not changed significantly since Leonardo Da Vinci invented the modern spinning wheel circa 1490. A meditative and relaxing process, spinning is great way for weavers, knitters and artists alike to create custom yarn. Participants will learn to prepare fiber, spin fiber and ply yarns in this four-week course.
