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Damian Schaab - Psaligrapher (Papercutter)
Saturday, September 4, 2pm-4:30pm Damian Schaab is a psaligrapher (papercutter) who was born in St. Paul, MN, and was primarily raised in the Frogtown Neighborhood by an artistic single mother. He has created art for as long as he can remember. For the last two decades, he has created hand-cut paper art that resonates with the broadest audience possible. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, and is a member of the Guild of American Papercutters. He has worked with students of all ages who seek to learn the rich and diverse cultural traditions of papercutting. He has taught at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, IL, The Minnesota Grange in Edina, MN, and private workshops all around St. Paul. His art focuses on building bridges, which is the title of his beginning paper cutting classes. Schaab states, “In the art of papercutting, all the pieces of an image need to be connected (by a bridge), lest that image falls apart. By building those bridges into the composition, the frailties of the individual components are sustained by being integrated into the greater landscape of the whole. Our individual, human frailties are no different. Alone, our imperfections can be our downfall, but when they are incorporated into the fabric of our society, our unique characteristics become underpinnings of strength and solidarity—the very building blocks of community. It is impossible to allocate individual credit for the invention of the bridge. No singular entity can be credited with authoring the genius of this ubiquitous technological innovation...As an artist, I feel compelled to engage with subject matter that ranges from melancholy to whimsical, and back again. All the while I continuously challenge myself to push the boundaries of my ever-changing artistic discernment, as well as my technical acumen. ” - Damian Schaab |
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Divinewords - Macabre Street Artist
“Draw Your Dreams: Intro to Surrealism” Saturday, July 3, 5:30pm-6:30pm CT Zoom link: Click here or Meeting ID: 959 4651 1924 Passcode: surrealart Tap into your unconscious mind and unleash unlimited creative potential while learning about Surrealism with street artist Divinewords. Surrealism is a cultural arts movement that sprang from the Dada movement after World War I. In this workshop, you will learn the history of Surrealism, elements of composition, juxtaposition, and how you can use this genre of art to increase your creative potential! Participants will need paper, drawing tools of their choice (pencils, markers, crayons, etc), and three references. Sydney Latimer (aka Divinewords) is a writer, artist, and activist from the Rondo Neighborhood in St. Paul. Divine has developed and implemented community-based arts programs since 1997 and was a former contributor for the Huffington Post. For the last six years, they have turned their focus to Afro-Gothic Post -Apocalyptic Surrealism and uses shrines and memorials as a form of street art in provocative acts of remembrance. |
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Samantha Rei - Fashion Designer
How to Build Your Own Fashion Brand Tuesday, July 6, 6:30pm-7:30pm Reserve a Spot Here Samantha Rei started her first fashion label in 2000 in a time where information on how to enter the industry for indie designers was sparse. She doesn't want young designers to struggle to get that same info, so join her and learn how to get your start. Alternative Fashion on a Budget Tuesday, July 13, 6:30pm-7:30pm Reserve a Spot Here Style is style regardless of cost, so how do you put together your signature look without breaking the bank? Samantha Rei will help you learn how to put together your alternative capsule collection. |
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Brittany Frazier - Professional Mermaid and Prop/Cosplay artist
How to Make the Perfect Cosplay Friday, July 30, 6:30-7:30pm Reserve a spot HERE Have you ever wanted to cosplay but don’t know where to start? Are you an experienced cosplayer, but you want to take your costuming to the next level!? If so, this is the class for you. Brittany Frazier has designed this workshop to walk you through every aspect of designing and making the perfect cosplay. Frazier will teach you how to work within your budget to create high-quality costumes that will turn heads at any convention or Instagram post! Not only will you learn about how to put your costume together, but she will also tell you everything you need to know about attending your first convention! Making Professional Props Friday, August 6th, 6:30-7:30pm Reserve a spot HERE Learn the process of how to create professional cosplay props and accessories to make your cosplay stand out from the crowd. Details are what separates average costumes from outstanding ones, and the props and accessories you choose matter. This workshop focuses on using existing materials and your creativity to begin creating professional quality props that can be used at conventions, for photoshoots, movies, music videos, and more! This is the perfect opportunity to take your crafting up a notch! |
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