Workshops 

Paper Marbling Workshop 11am -7pm

by : Papercraft Miracles 

Suitable for all ages (under 6 with help from an adult). We will have two stations set up to add pigment to create your own colorful marbled pattern and then print it onto a sheet of prepared paper. We will have clotheslines set up to hang them to dry and you can pick them up when they leave the event.  You will be able to take home at least one sheet of marbled paper.

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Crepe Paper Flowers 11am -7pm

by: Papercraft Miracles 

Pop in and make a flower! A quick flower pattern is available for kids/those looking for a quick activity to try, and also a slightly more advanced style available if you are interested in hanging out with us for a bit longer. Participants will be able to take home at least one completed flower.​​

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Mindful Making: Collage Workshop 11am -7pm

by: Parrish Gibbons 

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Join us for an all-day, drop-in collage workshop at the Old First Ward Arts and Heritage Festival! This workshop is designed to be a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all abilities, making it ideal for everyone from beginners to experienced artists. It also doubles as a relaxed sensory space, perfect for those with sensitivity issues. The workshop takes place in a cozy, windproof tent, providing a serene environment shielded from the elements. Inside, you'll find comfortable seating and ambient music designed to enhance relaxation. You’ll have access to a variety of supplies and materials, including magazines, pre-cut images, glue, scissors, paper, and mixed media. Collage-making is both accessible and deeply relaxing. This open-ended, creative experience allows you to explore your creativity in a low-pressure, free-form way, making it a great medium for self-expression and mindfulness. By focusing on selecting and arranging images, you can engage in a soothing activity that promotes a sense of calm and reduces stress. Whether you stay for just a few minutes or immerse yourself for the entire day, this is a perfect opportunity to unwind, explore your creativity, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. All materials are provided, so just bring yourself and an open mind. Drop in at any time during the festival to start your mindful collage journey!

 

Zine!! 2pm - 7pm

by: Donna Stepien

 

Make a zine—or two, or three, or more—in this workshop where you choose your topic. The basic ZINE is one sheet of paper folded, unfolded, cut, and refolded to make a book. It’s meant to be a quick—and easily reproducible—book personalized with any message or topic you choose. You’ll learn how to customize by folding paper in different configurations and you’ll have the option of wrapping a cover of different paper (heavier than inside sheets) around your zine/s. You’ll leave the workshop with zines you can take home, reproduce, and distribute...or keep for yourself; and a new skill!

 

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Slam Poetry 12pm - 6pm

by:J heanelle Kerr-Ewansiha

This slam poetry workshop is designed to engage participants in the dynamic and expressive art of slam poetry. The workshop will run from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, divided into three sessions. Each session will focus on different aspects of slam poetry, culminating in a poetry slam competition with prizes for the top three performers. The workshopuses songs to enhance the performance and emotional impact of the poetry.

 

Pressed Flower Workshop 11am -7pm

by Tara Hauer

In this workshop we will make pressed flower bookmarks and window hangings by following a step by step process for adhering and layering pressed flowers to the clear acrylic bookmarks and window hangings and adding some finishing details in the form of colorful tassels.

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Natural Dye Workshop 11am - 6pm

by Hannah Quaintance 

This workshop will introduce the process of working with natural dyes. Natural dyes are pigments that are extracted from plants, minerals, and insects and can be used to dye natural fibers (cellulose fibers - plant based materials like cotton and linen; protein fibers - fibers that come from animals or insects like wool or silk). In Western New York, plants like black walnut, marigold, onion, and oak, among many others, can be easily collected and provide rich pigments. Indigo, one of the best known natural dyes, uses the leaves of the indigo plant to achieve a vibrant blue. Participants will be invited to experiment with with binding and resist techniques to achieve different patterns with indigo. Cotton t-shirts and bandanas will be provided.

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​Simple Cyanotype Making on Sun Print Paper

11am -7pm

by: Amanda Mika

Drop-in workshop throughout the day. Participants will create their own sun print using found materials and cut-out shapes with inspiration from nature, the eclipse, the moon, solar system. You will be given an explanation of the sun prints and

a demo. Participants will create their own design on the print paper, (10-20 minutes) which will need to be left out in the sun for about 10 minutes. The paper will then be rinsed in water and placed on a rack or hung with clothespins to dry and participants can return to pick up their creations.

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Make a Buffalo Bills Themed Key Chain Hanger

11am -7pm

by:Samantha Aldrich 

Paint a 12" round wooden plaques, to turn them into a Buffalo Bills themed key chain hanger. 

 

Organic Matter Printing 

by:Kathy Aspaas

Hand printed collage onto paper using natural materials (organic matter) printed on paper. Everyone can print from plants using organic matter and design, overlapping, pochoir, pressing plants onto absorbent wetted paper and sent in a take home fold over. This workshop will help with enriching your creativity and innovation, and  sparking new ideas.

 

Cepa Gallery 

11am - 5pm

Mobile Dark Room 

 

Sidewalk Poems with Noah Falck 

 

B.flo-Girls collective 11am - 2pm

DJ Lisa Lux and Bgirl Resolve share foundational knowledge and ways for participants to express themselves through the elements of Hip Hop culture. Lisa will share essential DJing techniques and give people an opportunity to try them, and Resolve (Stacy) will build on this understanding of the music, showing breakdancing moves and giving participants ways to freestyle.

 

Rock Painting

led by the youth from the Old First Ward Community Center

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Theatre Workshops

by Shea’s Performing Arts Center

“Learn, Grow, and Grind. Everything else will fall into place.”

Stop by and join the 1-2 pm  or 3-4pm class 

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​DANCE, DANCE, DANCE

We are excited to offer a day of dancing! Pop in to the gymnasium from 11am - 7pm for dance classes for all ages and all levels. See the dance page for full list of classes!