Description

Winter Wonky Wonders!

What happens when ancient mosaic meets contemporary sculpture and nobody’s allowed to be perfect?

You get something wonderful. In this two-part workshop, you’ll build your own gloriously lopsided vessel from cardboard, paper, and fabric, then cover it in mosaic pieces you make yourself from paper clay. Forget perfectly symmetrical pottery. Here the wobbly curves, surprise shapes, and happy accidents are the whole charm.

Session one – Build and make
Your vessel starts with a tube at its core, so it’s a real, functional piece that can hold dried flowers, grasses, and branches. From there, shape it with everyday scraps and papier-mâché. Then get your hands into air-dry paper clay and start making your own tesserae, the little pieces that make up a mosaic. No glass or ceramic needed.

Homework (the fun kind)
You’ll take home a supply of paper clay to shape into your very own mosaic pieces. Squish, pinch, roll, and press it into whatever wonky shapes make you happy, then let them air dry. Simple, fun, and definitely wonky. Bring them back to the next class on February 7th, and they’ll become the surface of your vessel.

Session two – Bring it to life
Everything comes together. Arrange, rearrange, and play with color, composition, and texture until your vessel turns into a rich, mosaic-covered original.

Your finished piece is ready to hold your favorite dried arrangement, or to sit proudly on a shelf and get compliments all on its own.

What you’ll play with

• Building your own wild 3D sculptural form
• Papier-mâché and mixed-media magic
• Making your own paper-clay mosaic pieces
• Color, texture, and composition
• Turning ordinary stuff into something extraordinary

Never touched sculpture, papier-mâché, or mosaic? Perfect. Bring your curiosity, your sense of humor, and your willingness to experiment. I’ll supply the rest.

Workshop details

• Dates: Saturday, January 30 and Saturday, February 7, 2027 (two sessions; please plan to attend both)
• Time: 1:30-4:00 PM on Saturday, January 30, and 10:00 AM-12:30 PM on Sunday, Feb 7th
• Location: Whatcom Art Center, 1105 11th St, Bellingham
• Price: $75 – includes 2 class sessions and all materials
• Ages: 14 and older
• Class size: Limited to 16 students
• Supplies: All materials included, plus paper clay to take home
• Format: Two sessions, with a fun little project to do at home in between
• Parking: Saturday has paid street parking plus a free lot across the street (for now)

Classes start promptly, so come a few minutes early, grab a seat, and get ready to play.

Gift Certificates Available – Once purchased, I will email you for details.  Contact me if you have any concerns!