Monday, September 14, 6 - 9 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members + $25 materials
This rare papermaking workshop will introduce participants to the art of Japanese papermaking. Each participant will employ a mold and deckle made by a local craftsman especially for this workshop. Satoko Ueno, a visiting papermaker from Japan, will teach participants how to make sheets of paper from 100% kozo (mulberry fibres ~ 9” x 7”). She’ll also provide information about her professional papermaking practice, her paper art, and all that goes into the manufacturing of a sheet of this durable, versatile and beautiful paper.
Satoko Ueno is a certified traditional craftsman of Uchiyama-gami, a centuries-old handmade paper from northern Nagano Prefecture. Ueno initially pursued a career as a graphic designer at a printing company in Tokyo. However, witnessing the massive paper waste and the fleeting nature of mass-produced designs led her to seek a more sustainable craft. This search introduced her to traditional Japanese papermaking (washi).After completing a two year apprenticeship at Awagami Factory, Ueno learned that an Uchiyama-gami workshop in Nagano was desperately seeking a successor. This amazing opportunity led her to relocate to a tiny village in the hills near Nagano. Arriving at a time when no local master artisans remained, Ueno relied on interviews with local elders to painstakingly reconstruct traditional techniques, including, mulberry (kozo) cultivation: growing and harvesting local kozo plants for high-quality fibers. Snow bleaching (yuki-sarashi) utilizing sunlight on snow to naturally whiten the raw fibers. Today, Ueno continues to produce authentic Uchiyama paper while actively conducting visitor workshops, cultural exchanges, and community projects.
Please note:
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.
Tuesday, September 15, 6 - 9 pm
Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm. September 26, October 3, 17, 24, 31, November 7. (6 weeks)
image credit: Peter van Ryn
$153 for members / $180 non-members + $25 materials fee
Having trouble choosing an art medium? This six week course lets you sample a variety of the art forms offered at BFAC. You'll get a chance to work with several of our instructors and try something new each week!
Sept 26 - Soft Pastel with Moumita Roychowdhury
Oct 3 - Gelli Printing with Anne Williamson
Oct 17 - Collage with Erica Gosselin
Oct 24- Felted Card with Peter van Ryn
Oct 31- Watercolour with Robert Achtemichuk
Nov 7- Ceramics with Akycha Surette
*Instructors and mediums subject to change
To learn more about these instructors and their work, please visit:
Moumita Roychowdhury: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/roychowdhury
Anne Williamson: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/williamson
Erica Gosselin: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/gosselin
Peter van Ryn: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/van-ryn
Akycha Surette: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/surette
Saturdays, September 26 & October 3, 1 - 4 pm
$76.50 Members / Non-Members $90 + $10 materials
To learn more about Baz and their work, please visit:
https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/kanold
Explore the exciting technique of linocut! In this 2-part workshop we'll use small carving tools to cut into linoleum, and create a beautiful print in 2 or 3 colours. Come prepared with ideas, print-outs, and inspiration for your piece!
Saturday, September 26, 1 - 4 pm.
$38.25 Members / $45 non-members + $10 materials fee
To learn more about Edward and his work, please visit:
https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/hanson
This workshop is designed for artists interested in exploring a variety of charcoal techniques. The objective is to highlight charcoal's versatility as a combined dry and wet medium, and its use as either a creative foundation or the focus of a final work of art. This class will also cover incorporating charcoal in the process of creating a work of art, and combining soft pastels for its use in mixed media.
These are some of the areas covered within the workshop format:
Saturday, September 26, 1 - 5 pm
$51 Members, $60 non-members + $30 materials fee (3 projects or more as time permits)
To learn more about Susan and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/clarke
Beautiful Bugs - Butterflies, Bees, Dragonflies and Ladybugs! A Jewelry Making Adventure
Often overlooked, bugs are nature's miniature masterpieces - bursting with colour, pattern and delicate structure - perfect inspirations for your own handcrafted jewelry. Beautiful Bugs is a playful 4-hour workshop designed to spark creativity as you learn, create, and have fun!
Whether you’re brand new to making jewelry or looking to expand your skills, you’ll bring butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and ladybugs to life through your own unique jewelry creations. Along the way, you’ll learn or build on foundational techniques such as stringing, beading, and working with wire.
A variety of high quality materials and nickel-free components as well as jewelry-making tools will be provided. You'll have time to complete 3 (or more as time permits) beautiful bug accessories. Choose your favourite insects and projects from these options:
Sunday, September 27, 1 - 4 pm.
$38. 25 Members / $45 non-members + $7 materials fee + HST
To learn more aobut Akycha and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/surette
Members $51 / Non-Members $60 + $15 materials fee
To learn more about Elizabeth and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/forrest
This workshop offers a quick, fun introduction to the art of pochoir, or fine art stencilling. The stencil has been used in fine arts and design since Neolithic times with its latest manifestation found in the urban graffiti we see everywhere. Students will identify interesting, unusual, storytelling shapes or textures in their photocopies and carefully cut them out using knives on a cutting board. You’ll stencil-print the cutouts on quality watercolour or Japanese papers using dry brush techniques, combining, overlapping, with a harmonious colour scheme to create one or more stencil prints.
Saturday, October 3, 2 - 5 pm.
Members $38.25 / Non-Members $45 + $10 materials
To learn more about Katharine and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/bourgon
Sew a handy drawstring jewelry bag for use when traveling. Customizable inner pockets hold a variety of jewelry or other small items. Some machine-sewing experience is required.
Please note: The instructor has a severe allergy to chamomile. It is a common additive to many perfumes and scented products. Please treat this as a scent free class.
Saturday, October 17, 1 - 4 pm.
$38. 25 Members / $45 non-members + $10 materials fee
Learn how to make your own Pumpkin and Crow polymer clay magnets step by step with direction. You will learn some tips and tricks for using polymer clay tools to give your creation that spooky spark of life!
Saturday, October 17, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 non-members + $10 materials
To learn more about Connie and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/melnik
The fundamentals of still life center on composition, lighting, colour, texture and perspective. Attention to detail is important as metal, fabric or glass reflect light differently. The methods used in this workshop allow artists to explore symbolism and mood turning ordinary objects into meaningful studies.
Saturday, October 24 AND Sunday 25. 1 - 4pm
Members $76.50 / non-members $90 + $10 materials fee
Create and finish your own small tapestry in this 2 day introductory course. You will learn basic tapestry techniques and exercise your sense of colour and design using a frame loom. Patterns (optional) and a variety of yarn will be provided.
Saturday, October 24 AND Sunday 25. 1-4pm
Members $76.50 / non-members $90 + $15 materials fee
To learn more about Peter and his work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/van-ryn
Saturday, October 24, 1 - 4 pm.
$38.25 members / $45 non-members + $10 materials fee
To learn more about Akycha and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/surette
Create and decorate tiny hand-built clay houses in this creative, relaxed workshop for all levels. All materials included.
Sunday, October 25, 1 - 4 pm.
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members +$5 materials fee
To learn more about Moumita and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/roychowdhury
In this creative watercolour workshop, you will transform your favourite family recipe into a treasured keepsake. We will cover the anatomy of a recipe: structuring ingredients, measurements, and cooking steps. We will incorporate loose washes, sketches and creative layouts to make your journal a precious piece of artwork to pass on to future generations.
In this class we’ll create a landscape that celebrates the bright, bold colours of autumn using needle felting techniques and richly coloured wool. All the required tools and materials will be supplied. Demonstration and direct instruction will allow you to create a felting that is ready for framing. No prior experience is required. Experienced artists, artisans and returning students will be able to bring their skill set and experience to the scenes as well.
Saturday, October 31, 1 - 5 pm
To the Moon! Making Jewelry with a Celestial Theme
Capture the magic of the night sky and the brilliance of the sun in this jewelry-making workshop. Whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned maker, this will be the perfect opportunity to design and create high-quality celestial pieces as you explore and learn jewelry-making techniques. You will have time to complete several projects. Along the way, you’ll learn or build on foundational techniques such as stringing, beading, and working with wire.
For Beginners: Don’t be intimidated! Instruction and individual support ensures you feel confident and walk away with jewelry you’re proud of.
For Experienced Makers: Enjoy an inspiring environment where instruction is tailored to your skill level.
Cosmic Buffet: A highlight of the workshop is a curated Bead Bar with a wide variety of themed charms, beads, and creative findings to make every piece unique. This Cosmic Buffet features premium materials to help you capture the sky (iridescent crystals and shimmering beads, glittering stars and solar charms, glowing crescent moons and golden sunbursts, silver and gold accents).
Project Options * Stellar Drop Earrings: Learn how to design and make asymmetrical earrings (Moon and Star or another cosmic combination), or bead shimmering crystal earrings in a traditional style. * Celestial Bracelet: Add a favourite focal bead or charms to your stretch or wire strung bracelet. * Galaxy Pendant: Learn how to create an intricate wire pendant or secure a stone using artistic wire-wrapping techniques. * Orbit Necklace: Learn how to wire wrap beads, stars or other cosmic components to make your own delicate chain, or create links for a bolder look.
What to Bring Magnification option: If you use reading glasses or a personal magnifier for close-up work, please bring them along. Inspiration option: Feel free to bring photos or sketches of celestial jewelry you love. Enthusiasm: Everything else—including all tools, beads, and findings—is provided for you!
Saturday, October 31, 1 - 4 pm.
Come sculpt & glaze a surprise Halloween pottery project themed "cats & bats & rats." All materials included.
Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm. November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12. (5 weeks)
image credit: Erica Gosselin
$127.50 for members / $150 non-members + $25 materials fee
Want to explore art with a range of media? We have it all in this special class: drawing, beading, painting, felt craft and pottery- try your hand at everything and see what ignites your passion!
Nov 14 - Conte Drawing with Baz Kanold
Nov 21 - Acorn Ornaments with Michael Rouse
Nov 28 - Ceramics with Akycha Surette
Dec 5 - Intuitive Painting with Erica Gosselin
Dec 12 - Beaded Jewelry with Anne Williamson
Michael Rouse: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/rouse
Baz Kanold: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/kanold
IVISIT the BUTTON FACTORY ARTS HOMEPAGE
LOCATION: 25 Regina Street South
Waterloo ON N2L1R8
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
CONTACT US:
519-886-4577
Membership and rentals:
operations@buttonfactoryarts.ca
Program inquiries:
programs@buttonfactoryarts.ca