The Castle at Womankraft

THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR Reception: Saturday, Dec. 4th, 7-10 P.M. (with refreshments).

“It’s a Tucson tradition, filled with great artwork that reflects the diversity of this Holiday Season. You will find an array of fine arts and crafts that retail at $100 and under.” WomanKraft’s phone # is 520-629-9976.

WomanKraft is a Non-Profit Arts Organization in the art district of Tucson Arizona. It was founded in 1974 to claim, validate, and empower women artists and other under represented groups.

And here’s the schedule of their upcoming DECEMBER CLASSES:

LANTERNS AND LUMINARIAS
You’ll learn several simple and fun ways, using everyday and recycled materials to make glowing beauties.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 10:00-12:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: JESSICA SHUMAN
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

IT’S KNOT EMBROIDERY
You’ll learn a variety of knots, wraps, and stitches, while creating a small wall hanging. These easy techniques are applicable to many other craft projects.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 1:30-3:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: ANA YANEZ
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

LEARN PERSPECTIVE
In this workshop we’ll explore the techniques that’ll help you to create perfect one and two point perspective in your art work.
MONDAY. DECEMBER 6TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

LANDSCAPES WITH PASTELS AND CONTE CRAYONS
Using pastels and conte crayons, you’ll learn about tools, techniques, and papers for creating lovely landscapes.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 1:30-4:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

BEAD STRINGING JEWELRY
You can make your own beautiful jewelry in this workshop. Learn how to use tools and techniques to create long lasting and unique pieces. Hey, it’s fun too!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: TERRI McGUIRE
FEE: $20 PLUS A $10 SUPPLY FEE PAYABLE TO INSTRUCTOR.

HANDMADE PAPER
Learn to make 100% post consumer recycled paper. 100% fun…..100% successful!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH ,1:30-3:30 P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

DIVINE EYES THE HOLIDAY VERSION
In this workshop you’re going to create small Dream catchers to help you decorate for the Holiday season however you celebrate it.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 6:30-8:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: PATRICIA BOWNE
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

END OF THE YEAR “SACRED ME” COLLAGE
Year’s end is a good time to reflect on where we have been, and where we want to go. Whether emotionally, spiritually, financially or physically, come gather collage images to which you are drawn. After gathering, words come, and sacred poetry and images come together to tell you something you need to know.
FACILITATOR: QUYNN ELIZABETH
FRIDAY DECEMBER 10th 1:30-4:30
FEE $25 SUPPLIES INCLUDED

CREATING HOME MOSAICS 2 PARTS
This is the final push to complete the classroom’s bathroom mosaic. Be a part of this great project while you learn the tools and techniques of interior mosaicing.
PART I: SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH 9:30-12:30 P.M.
PART II: SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH 10;;00-12:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: TRACI KELLY
FEE: $10 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS
How to prepare and what to do with your art once you take it out of the studio. This covers manners, dress, appointments, portfolio contents, images, curatorial labeling, pricing, and supplemental materials; photo reproduction options, preparing your work for exhibition, artist statement, bio, and resume template; research footwork, approaching a venue, how to find a match for your art, contracts, communication, and more! It’s all about taking your art to the next level. A CD is available from the instructor for $15 each. Bring a notebook and one piece of your art you’d like to exhibit.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 1:30-4:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: JAY KYLE PETERSEN
FEE: $20

DOORS,WINDOWS, AND GATES
Using a variety of drawing mediums, we’ll explore the art of drawing these structural portals. Learn perspective, shading, line, and texture.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

OILSTICKS AND MONOPRINTS
You’ll design, using oil sticks on glass plate, a print and pull up to 3 prints. A final application of paint will “clean up” your image, and you’ll walk away with a reverse glass painting as well.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 6:30-8:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: MARY THERESA DIETZ
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

WISE WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP
It’s still a hit and growing. Learn to tap your infinite wisdom and playfully connect with your inner writer. We’ll journal with some writing exercises, topics, and creative surprises.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17th, 1:30-3:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: INGRID ASPROMATIS
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

THE BUCKET LIST
What have you always dreamed of doing/being/seeing ? We’ll use guided imagery and collage to build a little accordion book ”bucket list” of all the things you want to do/be before you die.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18TH , 1:30-3:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: KAITLIN MEADOWS
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

ART WITH WATER SOLUABLE PENCILS
Choosing a few simple subject matters, we’ll explore techniques with watercolor, graphitints, inktense, and graphite pencils.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

What great classes of art, writing, dreaming, etc. I think “The Bucket List” class on December 18 (likely modeled after that Morgan Freeman/Jack Nicholson movie) will be lots of fun in creating an actual accordion book of your goals before you pass on.

Support these local artisans. Shop local.

The plot below of “The Lost Illegal”, an original, new play by Linn Lane and directed by Gayle Swanbeck– “illustrates the difficulty we face in living with the laws we make.”

Lesbian elders Julia and Allie have already paid their personal and political dues; the couple are both proud of, and frightened by their granddaughter Tanya, who is walking a familiar path. During a stint in jail Tanya meets Joe (a homeless activist) and Inez (the lost illegal) who has her own reasons for being in the US.
The complicated relationship between these five brings them into contact with Roger, the Arizona ICE officer in his various authoritarian guises

Starring:
Lindy Bowser as Julia
Edin Sirak as Allie
Cuffs as Joe
Christina Pflueger as Tanya
Sophia Moreno as Inez
Vic Roych as Roger (Immigration & Customs Enforcement agent)

(Photo of Vic Roych as “Roger” and Christina Pflueger as granddaughter “Tanya”)

5 performances at:
Dunbar Dance and Art Academy
325 W. 2nd Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Production dates:
Saturday, November 20, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 21, 2:00 p.m.
Friday, November 26, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 27, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 28, 2:00 p.m.

Tickets available at:
WomanKraft Art Center, 388 S. Stone Avenue from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, 520-629-9976, and at Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Avenue during regular business hours, 520-792-3715.

Ticket prices:
$12.00 WomanKraft Members
$13.00 general public (advance)
$15.00 general public admission on day of show
$10.00 bulk price for 10 tickets in advance of show

Sounds like a very contemporary play especially as it deals with humans affected by the Mexican-US border and immigration issues. And my husband and I are personally acquainted with actor Vic, who also performs in Borderlands Theater‘s “A Tucson Pastorela” every year.

Photo above of Sophia Moreno, as “Inez”, the lost illegal (subject of the play’s title).

This November reception will highlight the beginning of their annual Holiday Bazaar–which started in 1986, to provide a venue for Tucson women artists and artisans to sell their “most affordable, original and diverse artworks”. Free & creative gift wrapping for all gallery purchases will be done by Darlene Kirk of Payson, Arizona.

I’ve been to a few of their receptions over the years, and the crafts on sale include acrylic or watercolor paintings, photographs, sculptures, metal creations, feathery boas, lots of lovely jewelry, notecards, etc.

Another second Holiday Bazaar reception will be held on Saturday December 5, also from 7 to 10 p.m. for more holiday shopping!

Regular hours for WomanKraft (located south of Cushing Street) are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m.

“The Castle” (built in 1918, photo below) houses the art gallery, the School of the Arts, The Sanctuary–an all natural beauty salon–and the Institute for Shamanic Arts. Read more about these programs on their website, or in their bi-monthly newsletter “The Castle Voice”, or call 520-629-9976.