FREE Hands-On Demonstrations & Make-and-Take Activities

Sunday, August 2

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Spend the day creating, learning, and exploring with talented regional artists and makers. Throughout the festival, visitors can watch skilled artisans at work, ask questions, try traditional crafts, and in many cases create a project to take home. Whether you're an experienced artist or simply curious to learn something new, there's an activity for every age and interest.

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10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WV Mudwrestlers Pottery Studio (Gazebo)

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Barb Adams | Hands-On Make-and-Take Activity

Experience the magic of clay with hands-on pottery wheel lessons and demonstrations. Participants will learn the basics of throwing a simple cylinder or bowl on the wheel. Finished pieces may be glazed, fired, and picked up later at the Hampshire Co-op & Marketplace. Barb will also offer a handbuilding activity where visitors can create holiday ornaments to paint and glaze.

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Ryan's Slöjd – Traditional Greenwood Carving

Ryan Kmetz

Watch Ryan transform a fresh log into a beautifully carved wooden spoon using traditional Scandinavian greenwood carving techniques. Using a froe, axe, and carving knives, he will demonstrate every step of the process.

 

Hands-On Learning Sessions will be offered during the demonstration for small groups of 8–10 participants who would like to learn the basics of Slöjd spoon carving.

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Fire & Feathers

Nancy Carlisle Interactive Demonstration

Explore movement arts and traditional craftsmanship as Nancy introduces the basics of hula hoop dance, flowing silk ribbon dance, and the fascinating art of fire eating. She will also display and discuss her handcrafted jewelry made from ethically sourced bones, feathers, and fur while sharing the inspiration behind her work.

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11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Stoned Sculptures & Creations

Scottie Addison

Watch stone come to life as Scottie demonstrates how flowers, animals, and whimsical characters are carved from natural stone using a Dremel and angle grinder. Learn about carving tools, techniques, and the artistic process behind each unique sculpture.

 

Country Family Farms

Heather Landaker Hands-On Make-and-Take Activity

Paint your own decorative stone garden or plant marker using acrylic paints, paint pens, and colorful mandala-style dot painting techniques. Visitors will leave with a one-of-a-kind piece of garden art that's both beautiful and practical.

 

Jennifer Audrey Photography

Jennifer Kidwell Interactive Learning Demonstration

Discover the hidden world of macro photography. Jennifer will teach visitors how to use an iPhone or smartphone to capture stunning close-up photographs of insects, flowers, and other tiny subjects. Learn simple lighting techniques, composition tips, and creative tricks that will dramatically improve your photographs.

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2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Fiber Arts Demonstration (Gazebo)

Kim Garver

Step back in time as Kim demonstrates an antique circular knitting machine used to create socks. She will also demonstrate the traditional process of spinning yarn from raw wool and explain how natural fibers are prepared and dyed before becoming finished yarn.

 

Dyeing Easy

Michael Blake Hands-On Make-and-Take Activity

Create your own colorful tie-dye T-shirt! Participants will learn folding and dyeing techniques before making a unique shirt to take home. Shirts and supplies are available while quantities last.

 

Create • Learn • Explore

 

Throughout the day, festival guests will have the opportunity to experience traditional crafts, discover new artistic skills, meet working artists, and participate in creative hands-on activities. Many demonstrations include opportunities to create your own project to take home, making this one of the most interactive and family-friendly events of the Summer Harvest Festival.