Fiber HangsTuesdays in January 2024, 5:30-7 p.m.
January 16, 2024 | Knit
January 23, 2024 | Crochet
January 30, 2024 | Weave
C4C: The Understory (Cathedral of Learning basement, B-50)
Are the long, cold nights getting you down? Cozy up to creativity and explore the world of fiber art with us.
Beginners will learn the basics of knitting, crocheting, or weaving in a supportive community environment. More experienced fiber artists are also welcome to come and share ideas, tips, and tricks with fellow enthusiasts or just to work on your own projects.
Materials will be provided, but you can also bring your own if you like. We’ll have cocoa, tea, and cookies to enjoy while you explore, exchange ideas, and escape the Pittsburgh winter for a while.
Register to guarantee space and materials. Walk-ins are also welcome, space permitting, but if you don't register, please plan to bring your own needles/loom and yarn. Faculty, staff, and students are all welcome! Facilitated by Chloe Baierl, Center for Creativity.
Bound Up: An Intro to Japanese Stab BindingWednesday, January 24, 2024 | 5-6:15 p.m.
Text & conText Lab (Hillman Library 310)
Explore and experiment with decorative bookbinding in this informal workshop. Learn three variations of Japanese stab binding, and make small softcover notebooks using this elegant and beginner-friendly technique.
This workshop is open to all members of the University of Pittsburgh community: students, faculty, and staff. No previous bookbinding experience necessary. Everyone is welcome! Facilitated by Anaïs Grateau, University Library System.
Creating with Context: Love in LettersTuesday, February 13, 2024 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Archives & Special Collections Reading Room (Hillman 320) and Text & conText Lab (Hillman 310)
Join us for a unique hands-on experience that combines the timeless art of letterpress printing with the warmth of Valentine's Day!
Delve into the fascinating history of moveable type, the revolutionary printing technique that transformed the way we communicate. Step back in time to explore early and rare print examples from the University of Pittsburgh Library System's Archives & Special Collections, then design and print your own Valentine’s Day messages for friends, loved ones, or yourself in the Text & ConText Lab. No previous experience needed. Facilitated by Anaïs Grateau and Megan Massanelli, University Library System.
Stencil Art with Haifa SubayWednesday, February 21, 2024 | 6-7:30 p.m.
Text & conText Lab (Hillman Library 310)
Discover the basics of stencil art!
Learn how to cut stencils by hand and fill the shapes with colors of your choice using brushes and sponges. No experience is needed to create your own unique and visually striking work of art.
All materials provided. This workshop is open to all members of the University and Pittsburgh communities.
Workshop instructor Haifa Subay is an accomplished and experienced public muralist and installation artist from Yemen. Haifa has been awarded an IIE Artist Protection Fund Fellowship and is in residence at the University of Pittsburgh with the Global Studies Center.
Exposed: Creating CyanotypesWednesday, February 28, 2024 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Text & conText Lab (Hillman Library 310)
Uncover the world of cyanotype, an alternative photographic print method known for its rich blue tones. See how this camera-less process captures beautiful photograms using just UV light, some simple chemicals, and objects placed on paper.
Learn about the science, essential materials, and equipment required for cyanotype printing. Then experiment with botanical elements and photographic negatives and combine text and image to make your own striking prints. Facilitated by Ariel Skovera, Center for Creativity.
Making/FriendsTuesday, March 5, 2024 | 5-6:30 p.m.
C4C: The Understory (Cathedral of Learning basement, B-50)
How have you connected recently? Via Meta or X? Text message or phone call? TikTok video?
Our connections today are often mediated virtually–but historically, people’s connections were necessarily material. People connected via objects like letters, mixtapes, or gift exchanges.
In this workshop participants will make and exchange postcards. We’ll also talk a bit about the material history embedded in practices of friendship with the hope that it broadens our sense of how relationship can form around a shared object.
Register with a friend or just for yourself: participants will all have a chance to make something with and for friends. Workshop facilitated by Elise Ryan (Department of English), Corey Sparks, and Kerilyn Harkaway-Krieger.
Painting with Haifa SubayWednesday, March 6, 2024 | 6-7:30 p.m.
C4C: The Understory (Cathedral of Learning basement, B-50)
Explore painting and bring your own spin to the canvas in this workshop especially designed for beginners.
Instructor Haifa Subay will choose a painting, and you will be encouraged to develop your own unique interpretation of it. Work on developing skills in color mixing, realistic rendering and drawing, and basic painting in consultation with Subay.
All materials provided. This workshop is open to all members of the University and Pittsburgh communities.
Workshop instructor Haifa Subay is an accomplished and experienced public muralist and installation artist from Yemen. Haifa has been awarded an IIE Artist Protection Fund Fellowship and is in residence at the University of Pittsburgh with the Global Studies Center.
Swirl: An Intro to Paper MarblingWednesday, March 20, 2024 | 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Text & conText Lab (Hillman Library 310)
Discover the mesmerizing world of paper marbling in this hands-on workshop designed for makers of all levels.
Paper marbling, an ancient technique dating back as early as the 12th century, involves creating intricate and vibrant patterns on paper by floating pigments on a liquid surface and transferring them onto paper.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore the magical intersection of color and pattern in a supportive environment. Facilitated by Shannon Mayne, Center for Creativity.
MyZine: Make Your Own Mini-MemoirTuesday, March 26 | 4-5:30 p.m.
C4C: The Workshop (downstairs, The University Store on Fifth)
Zines are low-cost, DIY or self-published works created for self-expression or to spread ideas and information, usually through niche or small communities.
Dive into their history, explore examples of diary and memoir zines, and discuss how creating and reading these types of zines can be helpful. We'll show you how to fold a mini-zine, and then you'll make your own using whatever supplies inspire you.
Zines are for anyone at any experience level, so you don't need any writing or drawing experience. You can make your zine however you like, combining prose, poetry, comics, collage, or something else! Facilitated by Angela Oddling, Center for Creativity.