Folk Arts

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Folk Art 2025

F01 Dollhouse Workshop

Week: 1                                                                   Grades: 4 & up

Welcome to the world of miniatures where everything is adorably small! Imagine bunk beds that can fit in the palm of your hand or a tiny bookshelf filled with some of your favorite books. Students will learn how to design, construct and decorate their own two story dollhouse with miniature items made from scratch! We will work with materials such as wood, paper, glue, fabric, beads, yarn and other various found objects. We will also explore miniature scale and how to use everyday items to make our own mini treasures. Our class will enjoy a walk in the woods each day to spark creativity and visit fellow students. Instructor: Megan Viscio

F02 Beginning & Advanced Blacksmithing

Weeks: 2, 4, 6                                                         Grades: 7 & up

Beginning and advanced students will develop their skills by making a variety of projects appropriate to their skill level.  Projects may include hooks, door hardware, or other decorative and practical items.  Students should expect to work hard, with emphasis placed on control and consistency of their work. Blacksmithing students are required to wear long sleeve cotton shirts, long cotton  pants,  cotton socks, and closed toed shoes or boots, preferably made of leather.  Other safety equipment will be supplied. Instructor: Dave Peterson

F03 Civil War- A Soldier’s Life

Week: 1, 2                                                    Grades: 5-9*

*older students interested please email registrar@heldebergworkshop.org

This workshop lets students experience the life of New York State’s “Common Soldier” of the Civil War through a series of hands-on activities. The “recruits” can set up tents, cook over a campfire and sample common food and drink (sampling optional), examine the equipment the soldiers carried and try on uniforms. After being issued wooden rifles the students will be instructed in the manual of arms, learn the drill required to move large numbers of infantry efficiently, and even engage in picket duty on the “front lines”. Instructor: Ted Shuart

F04 Unbearable Fun

Week: 2                                                        Grades: 3 & up

Bears, bears and more bears!  Learn the art of hand-sewing with a black bear face pillow; paint your own version of a bear shelf-sitter; create a bear-theme garland along with other “bear”y cute projects. Instructor: Sharon Breisch

F05 Chess for All!

Week: 1                                                        Grades: 5 – 12

Come learn the basics of one of the oldest board games in the world. You will learn how to set up the board, move the pieces, and play a full game. If you love puzzles and problem solving chess is for you. Experienced players are welcomed and will be challenged to improve. All are welcome!

Younger students who are interested in chess can be admitted to the class.. please email registrar@heldebergworkshop.org with request.

Instructor: James Longrod

F06 Fanciful Forest Creatures             

Week: 2                                                                   Grades: 3 – 5

Come into the forest and learn about the mythical creatures that hide in plain sight!  We will be learning all about them and how each creature has been portrayed in stories!  We will make fairy houses, troll traps, our own unicorn horns and much more! By the end of the week you’ll be able to create your own creature and its habitat.  Share them with the class and your families! Instructor: Lily McDonnell

 F07 Indians of North America

Week: 3                                                                   Grades: 4 & up

How did the Iroqious and Sioux Indians live? Join us for a weeklong adventure and hear their stories and songs.  Explore the woods to find and identify plants, animals, footprints and feathers.  Gather natural items to make and decorate a “talking stick”.  Visit our longhouse and tipi!  Make your own clay pot, an Eastern Indian cornhusk doll, and Plains Indian medicine wheel.  Join us and see how the Indians of North America lived!

Instructor:  “Standing Woman” (Dawn Marczak)

 F11 Miniature Babydolls

Week: 5                                                                   Grades: 3 & up

If you enjoy cute miniatures, then this is the class for you! Students will learn how to make a miniature babydoll using polymer clay and swaddled with fabric. We will also make a variety of items to go along with our dolls including, cradles, blankets, tiny toys and bottles filled with pretend milk. Design a nursery in a carrying case so that you can pack up all your minis and take them on a walk in the surrounding woods. If time allows, you can make a whole crew of little babydoll bundles!

Instructor: Megan Viscio

F12 Weaving Studio – Beginning and Advanced

Weeks: 1, 2                                                             Grades: 4 & up

Create your own handwoven textile! Choose your colors and set up your loom, then weave your project. Watch as your design grows under your hands!  Beginner and advanced students are welcome. Beginner students will learn basic weaving skills on a four harness loom. Advanced students can review these skills as needed, then explore more complex patterns and projects. Students may enroll for multiple weeks to further their skills and complete weavings of their choice.

Prerequisite: All students must be able to independently tie a bow.

Instructor:  Elena Rose

F14 Revolutionary War: War in Our Own Backyards

Week: 4                                                                   Grades: 5 – 9

Six American Revolution historical markers are located within a two-mile radius of the Heldeberg Workshop. The camp itself is on former Mohawk land later owned by Patriot Frederick Crounse. Students can step back in time to those days when local German and Dutch settlers came together to protect their community from raiding Torys and Mohawks. Service in the militia was mandatory from age sixteen. Our “new recruits” will join the 3rd Albany County Militia and learn about the weapons and equipment the militiamen carried and the food they ate. Reproduction weapons and uniforms and a few original artifacts will be exhibited. Students will be issued wooden rifles and be instructed in infantry tactics. Patrols will scout daily for Torys, and we may have to repair and garrison a fort.

Instructor: Ted Shuart

F17 Maskmaking 

Week: 1                                         Grades:  3 & up

Do you like your hands submerged in slime?  It’s a messy process, but the masks we create will be astounding!  We’ll use Heldeberg rocks as forms, then layer paper strips to produce masks that can be mysterious, funny, fanciful or even frightening.  Masks will be painted and perhaps embellished with natural items we find on the Land.  Ancient cultures will be our inspiration as we let our imaginations soar!

Instructor:  Trisha Zigrosser

 

 

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