Artisan Studio Programs
adult art enrichment program
These free 4 week classes meet on Thursdays and are open to adults 18+ who in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck. Each class nurtures creativity and teaches new artistic skills, and emphasizes sustainability in every lesson.
This program offers skill-building workshops led by local artists with a focus on self-expression, sustainability, and community. Designed for adults of all experience levels, the program creates a welcoming space for creative growth, connection, and healing through art. Gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and contribute to a vibrant culture of lifelong learning and collective care!
Upcoming Class
From Fiber to Form: An Introduction to Wet Felting
Teaching Artist: Judy Sledge
Thursdays: September 10, 17, 24, and October 1
Session Times: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Adult Art Enrichment | 4-Week Series
Upcoming Class
Join award-winning Detroit fiber artist Judy Sledge for a hands-on exploration of wet felting, an ancient textile-making process that transforms loose wool fibers into strong, durable fabric through the use of water, soap, friction, and movement.
In this four-week class, participants will discover the many creative possibilities of felt while learning about its history, characteristics, and uses in art, design, industry, and everyday life. Through demonstrations, discussion, and guided instruction, students will experience the fascinating transformation of soft, loose fibers into a cohesive material that can be shaped, sculpted, and embellished.
Participants will choose their own colors and develop an original project based on their interests and creative vision. Whether creating a purse, vessel, sculptural object, or flat textile piece, each student will explore the possibilities of this versatile medium while developing their own approach to design and form.
By the end of the class, participants will have created a one-of-a-kind felted piece that reflects their imagination, personal style, and growing understanding of this remarkable natural material.
Participants Will
- Learn about the history, characteristics, and many uses of felt
- Explore wool and other natural fibers as creative materials
- Select colors and develop an original design concept
- Learn the basic tools and techniques used in wet felting
- Experience the complete process of transforming loose fibers into felt
- Create a functional or sculptural felted piece, such as a purse, vessel, or flat artwork
- Shape, form, dry, and embellish a finished piece
- Explore the connections between art, science, design, and traditional textile practices
Reflection Questions
Participants will be encouraged to consider:
- What surprised you about the process of transforming loose fibers into felt?
- How did the physical process of felting influence your creative decisions?
- What possibilities do you see in natural fibers as materials for art and design?
- How might traditional textile practices inspire new approaches to contemporary art and everyday objects?
- What role can durable, handmade objects play in a more sustainable future?
UN Sustainable Development Goals Alignment
This class supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
Quality Education (SDG 4): Felting offers an opportunity for lifelong learning while bringing together art, science, mathematics, design, and hands-on problem-solving.
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Learning textile and fiber-art techniques can build practical, creative, and transferable skills that connect to a wide range of artistic, design, craft, and manufacturing traditions and professions.
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): By working with durable materials and learning how natural fibers can be transformed into long-lasting handmade objects, participants will explore more thoughtful relationships with the materials we use and the things we create.
Teaching Artist
Judy Sledge is an award-winning Detroit fiber artist who has been creating and working in the city since 2002. Her artistic practice focuses on felting, particularly nuno felting, a technique that combines loose wool fibers with fabric to create richly textured and often lightweight textiles.
In addition to her work as an artist, Judy has been a dedicated supporter of fellow artists working in fiber and textile media. As a gallerist and member of Detroit's creative community, she has long taken pride in creating opportunities to uplift and showcase the work of others.
Class Dates:
Four consecutive Thursdays
September 10, 17, 24, and October 1
6:00–8:00 PM
FREE & OPEN TO DETROIT, HIGHLAND PARK AND HAMTRAMCK RESIDENTS
18 & OLDER
Registration is required. Please register only if you are available for all four class dates.
FAQ
Who is eligible to participate in free classes at the Artisan Studio?
All Hope for Flowers Artisan Studio Programming is free for residents in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and funders.
What are the classes like?
Classes are 2 hours long and meet over 4 weeks on Thursdays. Unless otherwise noted, classes are open to students of all abilities and experience levels.
Expect to meet other community members curious about art and sustainability, learn a few new skills, and end the class with a completed project.
What is the class size?
Our Detroit Artisan Studio classroom can accommodate approximately 20 students. We work with each teaching artists to determine the best class size for the medium at hand, which can range from 8 to 20 students.
Where is the classroom located?
Hope for Flowers is located at 119 Garfield Street, Suite 500, Detroit MI 48201.
Our classroom entrance is on the plaza on the west side of the Freelon building. Google Maps may be inaccurate, so look out for our sign outside on the plaza.
I have more questions about the class. Who do I contact?
Please reach out to the Artisan Studio Director Mandisa Smith at artisanstudio@hopeforflowers.com
Upcoming Classes
Previous Classes
Map
119 Garfield St, Suite 500
Detroit, MI 48201
We are located on the West side of the Freelon apartment complex building on the plaza around the corner of Cure Nailhouse.
