Description

Weeknight Classes: 4 sessions

Basket Weaving 1: Miniature Basket
This is a 4-week class for beginners who wish to learn how to weave classic sisal basket.
Brought by popular demand, this class is an introduction to this classic basket weaving technique. You will learn how to extract and dye fibers, then begin to weave a bowl with sisal fibers. An expert weavers takes about 5 hours to weave a small basket, so we’ve designed a miniature basket for your introduction to this art.

Imigongo Design 1: Two Medium Paintings

This is a 4-week class for beginners who wish to learn how to make this traditional Rwandan art.

You will start by learning a bit about the history of the Imigongo and the meaning of the traditional designs.  You will then create your own design and work alongside an expert artisan, preparing the mud and cow dung mixture, molding the form, sanding and then painting your two medium Imigongos.

Banana Leaf weaving: Pop-Up Bag Weaving: 

This is a 4-week class for beginners who wish to learn about preparing banana leaves and weaving with it.

You will be able to learn how to extract fibers and all the weaving Techniques. you work with our expert artisans to weave the panels and assemble them to make a very beautiful bag.

Jewelry Weaving: a Disc Earrings

This is a 3-week class for beginners and others who wish to learn traditional Rwandan weaving techniques. You will learn how to extract and dye fibers, then begin to weave an earring with sisal fibers.

 

Sunday Afternoon Classes (with lunch!)

Join us for a fun afternoon from 1-6pm, including free lunch and expert teaching from beginning to end!

Coin Purse Weaving Class

First you will learn how to prepare the palm and banana leaves, you will then be taught how to weave them into your own functional and beautiful coin purse.  You then chose your own African Fabric lining to finish your piece.

Miniature Basket Weaving Class

In this class you will learn how to extract and dye fibers, then begin to weave a small basket. An expert weavers takes about 5 hours to weave a small basket, so we’ve designed a miniature basket for your introduction to this art.

Imigongo Class
Artisan Alexi will introduce you to the history and symbolism of imigongo painting, then guide you in creating your own design in cow dung. By the end of the day you will have created a set of two small imigongo paintings of your own.

Photo Frame Making Class

First you will learn how to prepare the banana leaves, you will then be taught how to weave them into your own  beautiful photo frame.