Society launches workshop series
Regional artists to lead many of the sessions in Open Sky's lineup
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, October 2, 2014
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Following on the heels of the successful Fall Harvest Festival, the Open Sky Creative Society is launching a series of workshops.
The society's workshops have been very popular in the past and there seems to be quite a bit of interest in more hands-on learning opportunities, said Anyes Fabre-Dimsdale, Open Sky's executive director.
The society plans to hold three workshops before Christmas and as many as six more in the new year before April. The majority of the workshops will be led by local artists and be focused on traditional art forms.
"We're very excited to be offering this programming to our community and to showcase some of the local talent from the Deh Cho," Fabre-Dimsdale said.
"It gives participants the chance to benefit from the skills of these artisans and learn under their guidance."
Deborah Stipdonk of Fort Simpson will be leading the first workshop that will teach eight participants how to make a traditional parka. Using patterns from Alaska, the participants will have the option of making a men's, woman's or child's parka.
"I think they will be pleased with the end product," she said.
Stipdonk has taught parka making once before in the village and said she is excited to do so again. The workshop is suitable for "an adventurous beginner," she said, noting that having at least some experience with a sewing machine is recommended.
During the registration session on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. in the OSC Gallery, participants will select their pattern and the colour of the heavy weight duffel they will use. The parkas, which will also have a lining of quilted Thinsulate, will come together over the course of three sessions on Oct. 19 and 26 and Nov. 2 along with three other dates set by the group.
"It's very warm and durable. They don't wear out," Stipdonk said.
The second workshop on how to make a traditional Dene fur hat will be lead by D'Arcy J. Moses of Wrigley on a weekend to be announced. Before Christmas, there will also be a session on making seasonal ornaments from traditional materials like moosehide, which will be suitable for all skill levels, said Fabre-Dimsdale.
The subjects of the workshops in the new year will include fur mitts, moosehair tufting, mask making, basic photography and digital photo manipulation. The society also hopes to bring in artists from the Sambaa K'e Print Studio in Trout Lake to lead a session.
