Fiber College at Searsport Shores: Summer Classes in Fiber Arts, Cooking & Painting!
If you are coming to Maine for vacation, why not add the joy and satisfaction of three days in our art studio to your ‘to do’ list in addition to all that kayaking, lighthouse visiting and eating lobster and blueberry ice cream?
And if you live here, wouldn’t you like a break from your day-day-life, and spend a weekend with us exploring something new and creative?
New in 2023, Summer Shorts are short, fun retreats led by some of our favorite artists in residence. For only $495 you'll have an accomplished teacher at your side, guiding you through your project from start to finish.
In an intimate, outdoor setting (10-12 people maximum), you'll be inspired to personalize your project. You'll learn and refine skills that allow you to head back to an evening campfire (and ultimately home) with a glow of accomplishment. Retreat attendees will share a freshly prepared lunch (included Friday and Saturday) in the garden kitchen and may prepare other communal meals there if participants choose to continue your conversation with a glass of wine under the setting sun.
Registration will open on February 14th
Samantha Verrone~ Printing with Rust, Plants and Seawater
June 23-25 Take a journey into the magical world of creating marks on fabric with rust and plants and pigments with Spring botanicals. Learn to up-cycle garments, use invasive plants for their beautiful color and create one-of-a kind linens for your home.
Mary DeLano~ Botanical Printing ❤️ Sold Out
July 13-16 Botanical Printing on silk, wool, cotton and linen using botanicals and dye blankets to create those Instagramable images you lust after. Mary's work is the inspiration for Searsport Shores' new dye studio. With her guidance, explore printing on wide swaths of fabric...wide enough for garments, table linens and so much more.
This class is designed for students who have already taken an introductory class and/or who eco print at home. Students will learn to:
- Mordant cellulose and protein fabrics.
- work with tannin.
- Experiment with a range of natural dyes.
- Print garments and yardage that can be used to sew garments on a new five foot steam table designed specially for this class.
There is room for two beginning students. If you are a beginner, you need to reach out to Mary (mdelanoart@gmail.com) before you register to make sure that the beginner slots are still available. Materials fee $60 includes materials, mordants and dyes.
This class will run Thursday afternoon-Sunday noon.
Mary Laury~ Watercolor Painting
July 20-23 Explore watercolor painting in the garden with an accomplished watercolorist by your side. Mary is a sought after and highly esteemed teacher who is frequently complimented for her ability to capture "Maine". She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!
PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will run concurrently from Thursday afternoon through Sunday Afternoon with Chris Toy's Asian Fusion Cooking. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day's workshops. Registration for this retreat is through Maine Adult Education.
Chris Toy~ Asian Fusion Cooking
July 20-23 Chris is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.
PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will run concurrently from Thursday afternoon through Sunday Afternoon with Mary Laury's Watercolor Painting retreat. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day's workshops. Registration for this retreat is through Maine Adult Education.
Susan Muldoon ~ Weave Your Own Backpack Basket
August 10-12 Learn to weave a medium sized Adirondack style backpack and attachable beverage. We'll learn the basics of weaving, twining, shaping, and rimming a backpack, great for everyday use. After you finish that, you can dig into our stash of colored reeds and create another with pizazz! Small or large, your choice. Bring items to add into your weave (ribbons, yarns, buttons, beads) if you'd like.
This class will run Thursday afternoon-Sunday noon.
Samantha Verrone~ Printing with Tannins and Autumn Plant Material
September 22-24 Guided experimentation with the plants on hand with rusty objects to explore regenerative design. We'll focus on how rust is the quintessential regenerative dyestuff that gives and gives and gives and that over-dyeing and mending garments and home textiles breathe new life into beloved objects and helps us to reframe consumption in a manner that demonstrates actual care of the planet.
