What a magical day! On Saturday, February 24th, 2024, visitors, volunteers, and staff alike were treated to a day that was as varied in activities as it was in weather. As makers of all ages strolled from one teaching studio to the next, exploring media like wood, clay, and glass, the weather vacillated between sparkling blue skies and bright sunshine to Dippin’ Dots snow and swirling fog.
Visitors printed inspiring posters designed by local youth
Learning and Exploring
Ten of Penland’s teaching studios offered a thoughtful hands-on activity designed to be enjoyed by any age and any level of ability. Over 130 volunteers were on hand to help orient visitors and share their passion for craft. And, as often happens in Penland’s studios, we saw those who had just learned a new technique passing their knowledge along to others. This continued throughout the day as visitors learned to weave, print, forge, etc., creating finished objects to take home, including 375 poplar magnets, 300 metal relief images, and 80 forged iron hooks. Over 700 visitors included tiny tots wielding hammers, established artists trying something new, and community members who surprised us with their creative takes on each activity. See more photos from the day HERE.
Makers of all ages learned to forge hooks in the iron studio
Nice!
Student Print Collaboration
Visitors to the Penland print studio created prints using Lego dots and printed inspiring posters on the Vandercook presses with help from volunteers. The takeaway poster was designed by students from Mayland Early College High School (MECH) engaged in PATH WNC’s Youth to Youth (Y2Y) program. Visiting the Penland letterpress studio back in October, these students learned about poster design and letterpress printing from Penland print studio coordinator Adam Leestma and brainstormed ideas that would promote positive messages in the community. Their “Enjoy the Little Things” poster was selected for visitors to print during the Open House. More posters will be printed soon to be hung in area schools!
Making Lives Meaningful Through Making
Established in 1929, Penland’s mission is Making Lives Meaningful Through Making. Throughout the year, this takes the form of intensive craft workshops, residencies, gallery shows, and community outreach. We believe that generosity enhances education, with close interaction between people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds promoting the exchange of information and ideas for the benefit of all. The Community Open House is a celebration of community, creativity, and the joy of making.
Volunteers in the clay studio shared their skills with visitors who learned to throw a clay vessel or create a sculpture
Come back soon…
As February draws to a close, we are preparing for another action-packed year at Penland. We hope that visitors and neighbors take advantage of all that Penland has to offer, including local standby scholarships for our intensive craft workshops, kid’s camps and youth workshops, rotating exhibitions in our Gallery and Visitor’s Center, a network of walking trails, the Penland Coffee House and Supply Store, a self-guided tour, the Penland Resident Artist studios at The Barns, and many events throughout the year. Fire on the Mountain is coming up on April 27th!
Visitors to the Penland photography studio made cyanotype handkerchiefs
Miss Lucy in the mix!
Thank you!
Community Open House would not be possible without over 130 volunteers, Penland staff, and our open-hearted visitors. We are so grateful to everyone that made the day possible. Thanks to Lil Pete’s barbecue truck and our hard-working coffee house staff who served hundreds of hot drinks to visitors. Thanks to Ellie Richards for designing this year’s volunteer apron. Thanks to Sibelco, who sponsored the volunteer luncheon and who’s employees were among the day’s volunteers. And thanks to PATH WNC and the students who designed the letterpress poster!
Wood studio visitors customized poplar wood magnets using many different techniques
So creative!
2024 Community Open House Activities
- Clay Studio – Making pots at the wheel or small clay sculptures
- Glass Studio – Hands on lampwork bead making and hot glass demonstrations
- Letterpress Studio – Printing posters designed by students from MECHS Youth to Youth on the Vandercooks and Lego printing with homemade presses
- Metals Studio – Embossing designs of local plants and wildlife onto metal foil
- Papermaking Studio – Learning the basics of paper sheet formation and pulp painting while making fun paper butterflies
- Photography Studio – Making original cyanotype prints using patterns from nature, science, and architecture.
- Paste Painting – Making sheets of decorative paste-paper using pigmented paste and colorful sheets of paper
- Textiles Studio – Making small tapestries and watching floor loom weaving and spinning demonstrations
- Iron Studio – Forging wall hooks
- Wood Studio –Customizing wooden magnets through shaping, carving and painting
We took lots of photos! You can find them HERE.
This magnet says it all: “This is awesome! Making wood things!”
Local artist Kurt Anderson helped visitors explore the magic of paste painting
