Fiber Lab Workshops - New Session to begin January 2016

Just some of the materials on hand for everyone to experiment with.
The Somerville Lab happens in my studio, every other Saturday, with access to all my materials,
tools, books and secrets.

The first session of my new venture of open studio workshops called FIBER LAB has just completed to a resounding success.

We have an amazing environment where makers can experiment freely with materials provided, expand on current projects and learn from each other. We lose all concept of time and place and get lost in our work with lots of laughs and energy.  Participants quickly bonded to each other's work process, with several collaborative and wonderful demonstrations of new techniques as well.

I'm super excited and honored to be a part of this community and witness the creativity and ingenuity of everyone's process. It's only been one session yet we've learned so much already about basketry, sculptural crochet, weaving, embroidery, felting and organic freeform abstraction.

We're planning for future explorations into eco-dyeing, rust, journaling and inviting some guest artists for special technique tutorials.

Session II begins Jan. 14 for Weston and Jan. 16 for Somerville. Read below for all the info. If interested, you can sign up using the Paypal button in the sidebar of this blog... just choose location and session and the rest is easy.

Lots of laughter and fun in Weston Workshop.
We meet in the beautiful First Parish Church building in a classroom with ample space and light.
Perfect accommodations for us to spread out and make our happy messes.

THE FIBER LAB is an independent study group that provides individual instruction, exposure to contemporary art, experimentation with material and technique and a membership to a maker community.

- Individual tutorials of a myriad of fiber techniques including needlefelting,

sculptural crochet, weaving, embroidery and more

- Introduction to alternative materials

- Access to studio tools, books and materials

- Materials included for instruction of new techniques and experimentation

- Gentle peer group consults for feedback and information exchange

- Mentoring

- Nurturing environment that encourages risk taking and experimentation

Lots of time for individual instruction. This is an opportunity for those who are new to working with materials as well as the fiber enthusiast who is looking to add to their repertoire of skills.

Choose from two locations:

Weston Center

First Parish Church,Weston

Every second Thursday 10:30a-1:30p

Session II Jan. 14, 28, Feb 11, 2016

Session III  Mar 24, April 7, 21 2016

Miller Street Studios

11 Miller Street, Somerville MA

Every second Saturday 10:00a-1:00p

Session II Jan. 16, 30, Feb 13, 2016

Session III Feb. 27, Mar 12, Mar 26 2016

Cost: $ 280.00 per three class session

All Levels Welcome!

Jodi Colella

jodi@jodicolella.com

www.jodicolella.com

www.jodicolella.blogspot.com

I WANT

Life is an installation... well, lets say I can't keep myself from making art from what's around me. It can be tiresome for some of the people in my life, or lots of fun. This weekend was FUN. Facing a studio move with numerous decisions about what to take and what to leave behind, I am reminded of the agency of things. Purging can be cleansing. Letting go of obsolete materials and clinging to the precious produce datapoints that help define the who/what/why of the new you, in the new place. It can be painful and awkward but most definitely is exhausting.

So, let's make a game out of it. Let's see if interacting with others about their desires can give me the necessary energy and motivation to organize mine.  It couldn't have been better timing because my last weekend at Joy Street happened to be Open Studios with an instant audience of potential participants. In order to play, one needed to enter my studio to say hi and then receive a strip of red dots to vote with. My ulterior motive was the hope that they take away some yard sale items while they were at it, and thus lighten my load.

Red dots are a loaded symbol to all practicing artists. They signify a sale or transaction. In this case a friendly hello is all that was required in exchange for a chance to express oneself. A book was provided for those who couldn't find what they were looking for from the offerings. As of last night there were many new entries that will be filed away for the future.

This was the perfect environment for the double entendre - artists WANTing to sell, art admirers WANTing to own - and sometimes the interaction would actually happen, resulting in a big fat juicy red dot! I WANT also made space for metaphor by reflecting in a small way what people are looking for - both the material and the sublime.

The options provided were collected from casual surveys of colleagues, friends and family. I WANTed to make sure there was more than one perspective represented. I was pleased to see how much time everyone spent thinking about what they WANTed and I witnessed many intense discussions about everything from vegetarianism to what it means to teleport.

The energy that happened outside my door the entire weekend reinforces what I believe - that people crave connection. Thanks to everyone who played with me, I am totally energized and ready to move.

Here's where I'm going:

Miller Street Studios

11 Miller Street

Somerville