A wave of brand new workshops starting this spring binds history to the present at Canterbury Shaker Village.June 2and 3, the Village hosts Traditional Arts Weekend, a full weekend of hands-on workshops in a variety of traditional arts as practiced by modern craftspeople. There is something for every level of participant, beginners as well as those seeking a challenge. Cost of attendance varies depending on workshops selected, however, there are non-participant packages available starting at $36.50. A special concert by Vinx follows the workshops onSunday. While there is an emphasis on traditional art and craft, the workshops go further, into the art of living. Authentic and sustainable-living themes wind throughout the weekend as well as through the season's calendar at the Village. The Shakers truly lived their ideals through simple living.Today, we see these ideals re-emerging in modern lifestyles and even in popular culture.
The “Collaborations with Nature” workshop with master furniture maker Jon Brooks focuses on harvesting found wood and creating beautiful, useful objects with that wood. Additional workshops include “Exploring A Traditional Craft In A Modern Way,” modern twists on textile arts with Merill Comeau, letterpress basics with Jim MacNab, and many more including quilting, needle-felting, hewing timber, bee-keeping and even “Discovering The Artist Within You,” a songwriting workshop with Berklee School of Music instructor Vinx.
Contact Lauren Henderson at 785-9511, ext. 230, email her at lhenderson@shakers.org or visit shakers.org for more information. Canterbury Shaker Village is located at 288 Shaker Road in Canterbury.
