Create by the Creek

This day-long celebration of art and community returns to Peirce Mill this June! Join us for free workshops taught by local artists–or borrow some art supplies and find a quiet spot to draw in Rock Creek Creek Park. Already have an easel and paints? The Washington Studio School will also be organizing a landscape meet-up at Peirce Mill that day.  Please click here for more information about the landscape meet-up. 

Saturday, June 10, 10:00am to 4:00pm.  
Rain date:  Sunday, June 11, 10:00am to 4:00pm.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Cyanotypes at the Mill
Teaching Artist: Luke Walter
10:00 to 11:30am
12:00 to 1:30pm

A cyanotype is an early photographic process invented in 1842, just a few years after Peirce Mill was built. In this workshop, DC artist Luke Walter will demonstrate the cyanotype process, and show participants how to arrange natural objects and hand-drawn images on specially prepared paper. Then we’ll use sunlight to permanently capture these otherwise ephemeral shadows in subtle shades of blue.

Photographing Rock Creek Park
Teaching Artist: Francesca Scott
10:00 to 11:30am
2:00 to 3:30pm

Explore Rock Creek Park with camera in hand, and learn more about photography, the creative process, and the emotional meanings behind the images we create. Professional photographer and teacher Francesca Scott will provide technical guidance on using a smart phone or digital camera to capture the natural world. She’ll cover difficult lighting situations, proper exposure, depth of field, and compositional techniques. Please note: Workshop participants are asked to bring a smart phone or digital camera. We’ll be walking and taking photographs around Peirce Mill; please wear comfortable shoes and let us know if you require any accommodations.

Find Yourself in Nature
Teaching Artist: Gabriela Méndez
10:00 to 11:30am
2:00 to 3:30pm

Create a self-portrait where body and nature are combined, interiorizing the idea that humans, plants, animals, and the environment are all connected. Artist Gabriela Méndez will lead this exploration, which will begin by using colored pencils to draw, trace, or create rubbings of natural objects in Rock Creek Park. These drawings will evolve into self-portraits that express both a sense of identity and a deeper connection with nature.

Inking Our World
Teaching Artist: Caroline MacKinnon
12:00 to 1:30pm
2:00 to 3:30pm

Ink is a versatile medium that can create both fine details and sweeping washes and stains. In this experimental and experiental workshop, artist Caroline MacKinnon will invite participants to zoom in on tiny things – follow the ridges in a leaf, blades of grass, the craggy texture of a rock – as well as zoom out for a bigger picture – using different wash techniques to capture the sky, clouds, sunlight, treetops and creek.  Please note: Workshop participants should wear old clothing—ink can permanently stain fabric.