DIA art workshops feature luminaries

Free with museum admission, the Detroit Institute of Arts hosts drop-in workshops every weekend. On Friday, Dec. 4, museumgoers were treated to an easy, yet beautiful project: luminaries. This specific workshop will be held on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 from 6-9 p.m.

According to informational handouts supplied by the DIA during the event, the word ‘luminary’ was originally used to describe celestial objects, but now it can be used to refer to any objects that provide light.

Patrons were taught to decorate recyclable glass jars with thin colored tissues. The designs made on the jar then become more vivid once candles or tea lights are placed inside and used to decoratively illuminate rooms.

“Luminaries are a very simple project, but it can become complicated depending on your skill level, comfortability and willingness to experiment,” said Jessy Butts, DIA studio assistant. “Basically, you just glue tissue paper that can be cut, torn, or put in patterns or sceneries. The idea is to show that these simple objects can become something greater when you put the candle in it and it illuminates.”

Butts, said that drop-in workshops typically offer open-ended projects that utilize easily accessible materials. That way, people can take the ideas presented by the DIA and make more at home.

“We just really want to facilitate an environment where people can come in, learn a new skill, be creative and relax,” Butts said.

Although the drop-in workshops are extremely popular with families, Butts said that there’s no age limit at all and you don’t have to have kids to come.

“We actually have a large number of people who come here on dates and women like to come just as their night away to do something for themselves,” Butts said.

Patron, Angel McKissic, has been bringing her 3-year-old daughter to drop-in workshops every week.

“We like to get her out to do things and this is pretty low key, it’s free and it's creatively based, which is good for her,” McKissic said. “She always asks to make projects,and she loves coming to the museum.”

McKissic said that drop-in workshops are a great space to take her child to do something enriching outside of the movies. She said that it is amazing that it is free and indoors, which is great especially during the winter time.

McKissic said that she always sees students at the drop-in workshops as well.

“I think that it peaks the interest of those who are creatively inclined, but I’ve noticed that it’s a great social activity and students always come in groups, " McKissic said. "You can stroll around afterwards and go to the concerts here on Fridays too.”

Butts said that the DIA works very hard to encourage a strong community presence, not just in drop-in workshops, but off-site as wells.

Jerry Klein, WSU alumnus 1972 and DIA volunteer, said that community events like drop-in workshops have been going on since he began volunteering 7 years ago.

“I’m here every week, and I work every Friday night, so I like to drop in to see who’s working and what they’re making," Klein said. "It’s fun, and I see a lot of the same people coming down here a lot too.”

Klein said that he loves seeing the community get involved with the DIA because he believes that it is the center and heart of Detroit.

“We’re at the Ann Arbor art fair, and we were recently at Belle Isle," Butts said. "The DIA Away bus travels outwardly for people that maybe can’t make it to the museum, and the Inside Out program operates all over town.”

Drop-in workshops occur in the Wayne and Joan Webber Education Wing on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Click here to see which projects are up next!

For more information, contact reporter Aleanna Siacon at fv7748@wayne.edu or (586)354-5040. Follow her on Twitter: @ATerese11.

http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/arts_and_entertainment/article_7927773a-9cde-11e5-b675-7f536ea8f11b.html