We are thrilled to offer workshops this season that bring together the various skills and resources available in our community though partnerships with Environmental Youth Alliance, Oncle Hoonkies Studio and EartHand Gleaners Society. Here are a few of the workshops that take place at Means of Production Garden, visit the main page at EartHand Gleaners website for the complete list of workshops- including woven art rope bags and bike baskets! All of EartHand’s workshops have sponsored places for low income community members and discounted prices for EartHand members, find out more here.
Working Willow: From Harvest to Fence and Woven Form
Sat/Sun January 30/31 10am-1pm
Willow is a primary weaving crop with numerous varieties useful for many applications, and traditionally used anywhere it grows. This two-day intensive begins with the harvesting process, touches on weaving with living willow, and culminates in making a Catalan tray. Workshop is outdoors rain or shine, dress for the weather!
Saturday- at Means of Production Garden
Harvest willow in the garden. Learn about stewardship and sustainable harvest methods of pollarding and coppicing. Demonstration of planting clipped willow whips for creating woven fences and other living structures. Participants leave with a small bundle of willow for personal use. Instructor: Sharon Kallis
Sunday- at Trillium North Park- (under shelter, outdoors)
Day two involves weaving a Catalan tray from our local willow. Weaving experience is helpful, but not required. The small woven trays are beautiful and useful objects, and the method taught is based on the traditional Catalan form. Instructor: Rebecca Graham
‘Bush to Bark’ Art Rope
Sat/Sun February 27/28 12pm-3pm- note different locations
Early spring is a good season for both pruning and bark harvesting from a wide variety of plants. Join this weekend workshop intensive to learn about the plantings in the native tree section at Means of Production garden and make rope with our seasonal harvest. This is an excellent workshop for those wanting to deepen their knowledge of local wild fibres and which plants can provide strong bark. Plants include: various willows, Mock orange, Ocean spray, Indian Plum, Oregon grape, Red Osier Dogwood. Rain or Shine, dress for the weather.
Saturday- Means of Production garden:Learn appropriate pruning methods and explore various useful fibres through hands-on tactile learning as we strip bark from our branch clippings.
Sunday- Trillium North Park (under shelter, outdoors):Make art rope using various barks and plants for changing colours and textures in 2 or 4 plied rope. Participants will find their rope useful for future weaving workshops or to just enjoy and use at home- you can never have too much rope! Instructors: EYA/ Sharon Kallis
Weed and Weave- Hands in Soil Day at Means of Production Garden!
Saturday March 5 10am-2pm, drop in- free activity
This is the time of year that the bind weed pokes up and is easy to remove! Come out to help pull weeds from our planted and maintained areas at MOP, and stay for weaving and repairing our woven garden bed edges. A short pot-luckish snack break midday- bring something to share.
Garden hosts: Sharon Kallis and David Gowman
Cherry Wood: Clipping Branches and Carving Spoons
Sat/Sun March 19/20- times as noted below
cherry wood spoons featured by Martin Borden are larger then what will be made in class.
Saturday- Means of Production Garden 12noon-2pm Learn basics of fruit tree pruning and ‘finding the shape’ for trimming small urban trees. The group will work collectively trimming a few trees at MOP, then cutting and prepping the wood for carving. Instructor: David Gowman
Sunday- Maclean Park Studio 12noon-3.30pm Learn basics of spoon carving, whittling a rough “medicine-size” spoon from cherry wood*. Previous carving experience helpful but not necessary. Tools provided, but bring your own jack knife or carving knife if you have one. A small wooden spoon is a useful addition to any backpack — no need for plastic when eating on the run! *Softer local wood options will also be available. Instructor: Martin Borden
MOPARRC 