Traditional Folk Arts, Dance & Heritage Craft Workshops with Ruthanne
Ruthanne E. Ankney
Ruthanne is passionate about folklore, folk arts and heritage arts. She has studied folk music, folk dance and folk arts around the world. She performs and teaches at schools, festivals, museums, living history institutions and more. She is the co-founder of the Three Rivers Ballad Singers. She dances with the English Country Dancers and Scottish Country Dance groups in Pittsburgh. Ruthanne has created many seasonal events that bring together music, dance and art for communities of all ages. She also performs as a storyteller, musician, singer and dancer.
For class registration and any questions regarding a specific class, please contact the instructor directly: walesinthemorn@gmail.com
Classes/Workshop for Adults and Family & Kids
For Adults:
Harvest Wheat and Grain Maidens
$28.00
Thursday, Sep. 17th, 6-8pm
Room 105
Celebrate the arrival of Autumn with crafting a traditional Harvest Maiden. In this workshop we will create traditional Harvest maidens of all sizes. These traditional harvest maidens have ancient roots steeped in the harvest folklore from the British Isles. We will have time in this class to create two harvest maidens of your choice. This class offers a great way to start building your wheat and straw weaving skills, plus learning about harvest folklore. You will be delighted in the array of natural materials that the instructor will supply to make your harvest maiden truly beautiful and one of a kind. All materials will be supplied by the instructor. No experience needed. This will be an enjoyable fun folk craft experience for all.
Wheat Weaving the Traditional Kitchen Witch/Seasonal Witch
$34.00
Thursday, Oct. 15th, 6-8pm
Room 105
Learn the ancient art of wheat and straw weaving in this fun creative class. No experience required. Great for beginners. We will learn a few wheat weaving and straw weaving patterns while we create a seasonal witch or you can call her your kitchen witch. These are traditional weavings found in many cultures all over the world. All materials will be supplied. We will work with wheat, straw, dried herbs and flowers. This is truly a satisfying folk art craft experience. You will surely be inspired to create your next wheat weaving and straw weaving folk craft. We will craft away in a fun relaxed atmosphere. Learn new crafting skills, meet new friends and have some festive fun. You will love your traditional wheat weaving witch.
Folk Silhouette Paper Cuttings & Folk Sweets (Adult Workshop)
$28.00
Saturday, Oct.17th, 4.30-5.45pm
Room 101
This is an introductory class for learning to make folk style paper silhouettes and seasonal sweets. We will work with a folk Halloween style approach in crafting paper silhouettes. Enjoy learning new paper cutting skills while also learning about traditional folk Halloween sweets. Ruthanne will share recipes and instructions on how to make Celtic Soul cakes, Welsh & Irish Halloween/Samhain sweet breads and cookies as we craft away. All supplies will be provided by the instruction. You need not have any experience. The class is open to all. We will craft together folk art style paper cuttings to use for framing, cards and more. This will be an enjoyable folk crafting class to get you ready for Halloween/Samhain. Plus, sample seasonal sweets and have hands-on experience on how to make these traditional folk treats. A fun and festive seasonal folk craft class for all.
Hemslöjd Straw Craft: Weave a traditional Swedish Sweetheart and a Tomte.
$32.00
Thursday, Nov. 19th, 6-8pm
Room 105
In this workshop we will learn weaving skills using natural grains. We will craft the beloved traditional Swedish Sweetheart weaving and a Tomte. The traditional heart weavings are used as good luck charms, wedding gifts & favors, house blessings, welcome blessings, and festive winter or Yule decorations. Class attendees will learn several weaving patterns as we shape our hearts. Pick and choose how you want to finish off our weaving. Plenty of ribbon and extras will be provided. We will also craft aTomte. The Tomte is the enchanting house guardian figure from Scandinavian folklore. He's the magical Scandi red hat gnome like fellow! Once you crafted these weavings you will want to make another. All the supplies needed will be provided by the instructor. This class is open to all. No experience required. Great for beginners. This will be a festive fun folk craft session.
Scandinavian Folk Dance Workshop & Traditional Scandinavian Christmas Desserts Dancing & Desserts Holiday Style
$15.00
Sunday, Nov. 22nd, 3-5:15 pm
Room 102
You don't have to have any dance experience at all. This is your chance to discover Scandinavian folk dance. No partner is required. Teaching is done in a way to make everyone comfortable. You can even come and watch the dancing, enjoy the desserts and enjoy the instructions. Wear comfortable flat shoes that you feel you can easily move about in and wear comfortable clothing. You can even enjoy the music. There will be easy to learn folk dances from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. No partner is needed. Everyone can learn at there own pace in a very comfortable environment. Learn about traditional Scandinavian desserts and folklore at the short break. Then we will get back to dancing. You will enjoy this festive workshop and meet new friends. Dancing is great exercise and great for the soul. The perfect way to kick off the festive holiday season.
Traditional Wheat & Natural Grain Wreaths (Scandinavian and Ukrainian designs).
$ 46.00
Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 6-8pm
Room 105
This will be a great opportunity to learn more traditional folk art crafting with wheat and other natural grains. In this workshop we will create beautiful weavings that are traditionally crafted for the Fall Season and the Winter Holiday season. These weavings are large and quite impressive. They are used to decorate your home. The tradition is to craft these wreath-like forms into a welcome symbol for your home using the last of the harvested wheat. The last of the harvested wheat is to bring good luck and prosperity. The traditional designs can be placed on a front door, barn door, in a window or above a fireplace. The designs come from Scandinavian countries and Ukraine. Once you craft one you will want to make another. These natural weavings make lovely keepsakes and gifts. All material will be supplied. No experience required. Beginners welcomed. A fun crafting experience for all.
Classes/Workshop for Family & Kids:
Harvest Dolls & Harvest Crowns. Celebrate the beauty of Autumn.
$ 14.00
Saturday, Oct. 17th, 3.00-4.15pm
Room 105
A festive harvest/fall themed workshop for families and children. We will work with natural materials to shape and craft traditional folk harvest dolls. Everyone will learn how to craft a boy or girl harvest figure. We will also make harvest crowns. What a fun filled harvest activity for all. Materials supplied by the instructor. Children will love working with all the colorful seasonal shapes, colors, leaves, wheat, straw, dried flowers and natural materials. So many art skills to be exposed to and new friends to enjoy. We will even sing a Fall song as we create fall magic. Families, caregivers, grandparents, children and community are welcomed to this seasonal class.
Magical Winter Lanterns.
$ 14.00
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 1.00-2.15pm
Room 105
This time of the year marks the end of the Autumn Harvest season and the beginning of winter preparations & longer dark days. Join our workshop to make a beautiful winter paper lantern. This festive class is geared for all ages. Families, children, caregivers and adults can join the class. We will create lanterns to celebrate the old tradition of Martinmas. In many European countries there are lovely children’s lantern processions in November. Celebrating Martinmas Day in November with lanterns represents bringing inner light and kindness into the dark, cold winter nights of winter as the days grow shorter. The idea is we must share our light and goodness with others. We will work with a variety of papers, shapes, silhouettes and paints. We will create a lantern with your own personal flair and learn a very enchanting traditional lantern songs as we craft. Your lantern will shine during all those dark winter months. All materials will be supplied by the instructor.
St. Lucia celebration for children & families. Scandinavian holiday magic.
$ 14.00
Saturday, Dec. 12th, 3.15-4.30pm
Room 101
Everyone will enjoy crafting St. Lucia Day Scandinavian folk crafts, learning Jul songs, and decorating traditional Swedish holiday cookies. Listen to the story about St. Lucia. Learn about the Christmas Scandinavian gnome. Children and families will enjoy the storytelling, music and folk crafts that teach some of the many beautiful Scandinavian winter holiday traditions. Make a magical Tomte {the Swedish Christmas gnome}. This class is geared towards children and families. Caregivers and grandparents are also welcomed. This is a fun chance to learn about how winter holidays are celebrated around the world. Materials supplies by instructor.
Winter Solstice Crafts and Song for children & families.
$ 14.00
Saturday, Dec. 19th, 3.15-4.30pm
Room 101
Make a magical winter wand for the New Year. We will craft a colorful New Years wand (Survakane) that you can use to usher in the New Year. This is a traditional folk craft from Bulgaria. It is an old beloved family tradition in Bulgaria. Children will create enchanting traditional wands from yarn flowers, charms. popcorn, candies, fruits and ribbons. The wands are used to grant good luck wishes to family and friends on New Year's Day. You can also choose to craft a Winter Solstice ornament made from salt dough. Working with salt dough is another old tradition. Beautiful designs and shapes can be created with molding and shaping salt dough. They can be painted or left natural. We will sing a Winter Solstice song and craft our Solstice ornaments. Enjoy preparing a whimsical colorful wand for the New Year. Take home your own special Winter Solstice crafts to enjoy and celebrate. Great folk crafting on a winter day. Children, parents, grandparents and families are welcomed. All materials supplied by the instructor.
