It’s the third and final installment of our “Honoring & Celebrating” workshop series when we will “Celebrate the Fall Harvest!” Harvest is a significant time of year when the fruits of the planter’s labor are celebrated. Various Harvest Festivals are celebrated all over Africa. They may differ according to their various seasons and ethnic groups. Still, these celebrations are all filled with music, singing, and dancing with dancers adorned in traditional masks and costumes. During this workshop series, we will creatively celebrate the season in different ways.
Each workshop listed below will be interactive with hands-on activities for all participants.
We will close the series with our Annual Kwanzaa Workshop and Kwanzaa Marketplace on the first three Fridays and Saturdays of the month of December.
Celebrating African Crafting Traditions - Clay and Terracotta
Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
To start the series we will create a small clay pinch pot to store our seeds or affirmations for the new year. For inspiration, a tour of the Terracotta gallery will precede the workshop
Register for the workshop on Eventbrite below.
Registration opens August 28, 2023 @ 11:00AM
Celebrating African Harvest Traditions - Corn Husk Creations
Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Corn is a common symbol for the Fall Harvest and it is one of Africa’s main crops. Rituals and ceremonies associated with corn often occur during planting and harvest seasons. These events mark important milestones in the agricultural cycle and are celebrated to ensure a successful crop and express gratitude for the abundance received. Corn is also used in Kwanzaa celebrations (celebrated December 26 – January 1), displayed on the family Kwanzaa table as a symbol of the children and the future, which they embody. Join us as we create a corn husk wreath for a symbol of the Fall Harvest or for a Kwanzaa decoration or gift.
Register for the workshop on Eventbrite below.
Registration open September 30, 2023 @ 11:00AM
Celebrating African Harvest Traditions - Masks
Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Mask Making - Masks are an especially important part of African culture. Various masks are worn during rituals, initiations, veneration, celebrations, etc., by many different ethnic groups. Harvest Festivals are just one of many celebrations where masks may be worn. Join us as we take a look at a few Harvest masks, learn a few mask-making and wearing basics and create our own masks using paper plates, fabric, paint, coloring pencils and other adornments.
Register for the workshop on Eventbrite below.
Registration open October 28, 2023 @ 11:00AM
Celebrating Kwanzaa Traditions - Creating Your Own Kinara
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Creating a Kinara for Your Kwanzaa Celebration - A common African Harvest celebration is also called “First Fruits.” It involves several days of planning to bless the newly harvested crop and purify the people prior to eating the food from the harvest. First Fruits is the basis of the African American celebration, Kwanzaa, celebrated December 26th – January 1st, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. It is an ingathering of African Americans for celebration of their heritage and their achievements, reverence for the Creator, creation, commemoration of the past, recommitment to cultural ideals, and celebration of the good. Join us as we share more about the celebration, the African symbols, and their origin, create and decorate our own Kinara - the candle holder for the 7 candles symbolizing a Kwanzaa principle, to be lit each day of the celebration.
Register for the workshop on Eventbrite below.
Registration open November 25, 2023 @ 11:00AM
Most of our workshops will be hosted on the second floor of the Upbeat Village Terracotta Gallery! This space is stair access only and we do not currently have an elevator or wheelchair access in this annex building. Registration is required for all workshops and lectures.