Imagine-Arte

Gami Matsuri - July 9 - 13, 2008

at The Inn At Santa Fe

$400/person (does not include lodging)

July Salon Registration Form.pdf

The possibilities are endless in this hands on Art Salon.  Gami Matsuri literally means "paper festival".   This summer we will explore age old Japanese washi paper art techniques as well as utilize new and innovative fusibles to design sculptural art work combining paper, fiber, and metal to create dolls embued with our very own blessings.  Hina Matsuri dolls and furoshiki art cloth art have their origins dating back to the Edo period(1600's) of Japanese culture, and are currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity world wide.  Hina Matsuri dolls are bestowed upon young girls in Japan as a rite of passage and to offer them blessings of health and happiness on their journeys to becoming  women.  Springtime festivals with elaborate doll displays celebrating this very special time of transition, are seen throughout Japan in early March.  These dolls are dedicated to the Peach blossom.  Furoshiki's are beautiful as they are, or can be further embellished to create art quilts (see images below).  The pictures throughout this page are examples of the type of work you can expect to make in this Imagine-Arte Salon.  Salon participants will have a wide range of materials to explore and create with, including but not limited to the following: silk fibers, hand made papers from around the world, beautiful cotton fabrics, hand-dyed ribbons & laces, embossing metals, indian textile stamps, armatures to work on, fusibles, textiva, angelina fibers, embroidery threads, fibers, collagen casings, skeleton leaves, silk flowers, and a variety of acrylics and stains.

On Wednesday evening we will gather at 6:30 to  share food and make a toast to Imagination.  After this we will begin sculpting our masks  utilizing innovative push molds and air dry or polymer clays.  We will then personalize these masks with rendering and sculpting techniques.  For those not interested in the sculpting process: 1. A variety of porcelain faces will be available for purchase.  2. You may bring a mask or head of your choice to work with during the design process this evening.  3.  Prepare your armature for the next day.

Techniques highlighted throughout the salon:

Sculptural silk fusion, texturizing fusibles, innovative repousse with Indian textile stamps, 3 dimensional sculpting with art papers, adding dimension to papers by distressing and colorizing, foiling on cloth, manipulating collagen casings, combining paper, metal, cloth, and fiber for rich art cloths or 3 dimensional figurative art.  Please note: No sewing experience is necessary and completely optional for this salon.

most of the supplies, and a pvc/wire/aluminum foil armature wrapped with batting measuring approximately 22" tall by 3"  wide will be provided for salon guests.  A short tools & minimal material list will be provided.  Transportation and accommodations are entirely up to you.

A room rate of $129.00.00/night is available at: 

The Inn at Santa Fe , or contact by email or phone at: info@innatsantafe.com  505-474-9500.  The Inn has a complimentary continental breakfast, heated outdoor pool, and a restaurant.The hotel is easily accessible from the Albuquerque International Sunport by rental car or shuttle transport by traveling North on I-25 and exiting at the Santa Fe Cerrillos rd. exit #278.    Reservations must be made by June 9th to secure this rate.  The hotel is to the right just past the  Santa Fe Outlet Mall.  Visit the hotel link above for full directions.  To arrange shuttle service contact: Sandia Shuttle Express or 888-775-5696 or Santa Fe Shuttles at 505-243-2300

July is high season in Santa Fe, with the International Folk Art Market and  the Santa Fe Opera happening this weekend.  This is a wonderful time to be in New Mexico.  If you're traveling with a companion, there are numerous cultural and recreational opportunities in and around Santa Fe for  them to explore while you enjoy 3 Imagine-Arte Salon days of creating and 1 adventurous day exploring art in Santa Fe.  The altitude in Santa Fe is high, and thus evenings can be cool.  A sweater, or a medium weight shirt would be advised to tuck into your suitcase.  Questions?? email Denise at:

dwarner@wans.net

or download the registration form in Adobe Acrobat

Credit cards and checks accepted by phone or fax.

July Salon Registration Form.pdf