Shakerag Workshops will celebrate its 10th anniversary in June, with classes taught by returning and new faculty members. Held at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, Shakerag Workshops, an adult arts workshop program, began in 2004 with six one-week-long classes in clay and digital arts during the middle weeks of June. Ten years later, Shakerag will offer 16 classes in a wide variety of media over two different sessions, June 9–15 and June 16–22, with about 150 participants coming from all over the country.
“It has been exciting to watch Shakerag Workshops grow from such a small program ten years ago,” said director Claire Reishman. Founding staff members Merissa Tobler, Rachel Malde and Christi Teasley, along with Reishman, have expanded the program to include book arts, weaving, dyeing, felting, quilting, painting, photography, embroidery and paper-making. Teachers through the years have come from Australia, Scotland and France, in addition to all areas of the United States. Participants in 2013 include many local and returning students, as well as new students from throughout the United States.
Shakerag Workshops attracts a diverse group of participants who enjoy the social gatherings surrounding the classes and gourmet meals almost as much as they enjoy the workshops themselves. Most classes are open to a wide range of participants, and beginners and professionals take classes together. The inclusive atmosphere of Shakerag is one of the hallmarks of the program, and teachers over the years have commented on the vitality of classes which include participants with a variety of experiences.
“Though the program has grown,” Reishman said, “we have worked to retain the sense of closeness among faculty and students that we had as a smaller program, and our participants say that they leave Shakerag feeling refreshed and energized to continue developing their artistic interests.”
Workshop participants and the general public are invited to attend artists’ talks each evening and the Shakerag Lecture Series on Wednesday evening. Sewanee biologist and author David Haskell will speak during the first session on Wednesday, June 12; on Wednesday, June 19, Susan Knowles, an expert in Tennessee marble, will be the second Shakerag Lecturer.
The Shakerag Workshops website <www.shakerag.org> has more information about Shakerag classes and a more detailed description of the program. Reishman is still accepting applications for classes this summer, and local applicants receive a 35 percent discount in tuition and meals.
For more information, contact Reishman at 598-5651, ext. 3165, or email <info@shakerag.org>.
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