Participants will explore foundational textile embellishment techniques through demonstrations of beading, fabric layering, and appliqué. Drawing inspiration from a brief slideshow of artistic examples, participants will discuss themes and creative possibilities before designing and creating their own decorative ornament.
Meet the Instructor:
New Jersey native Kilolo Kumanyika is an interdisciplinary artist whose African American and Native American heritage, love of world music, and interest in politics inspire her work. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from Montclair State University, with a focus on art history and architecture. Working across watercolor, ink, printmaking, textile design, beading, jewelry, and pottery, her work ranges from abstract compositions to sculptural forms incorporating found objects and intricate beadwork. Kilolo has exhibited at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, The Newark Museum of Art, and Pen and Brush, and her work has been featured on the cover of The Original Buckwheat by Tony Award winner reg e. gaines. She also spent 17 years as a figure model and studio assistant to artist Philip Pearlstein. A dedicated advocate for the arts, Kilolo continues to support her community through arts education and wellness programming.