Artisan Studio Programs
Community Sustainabiilty Workshops
These free 2–3 hour hands-on experiences bring people of all ages together in creativity, reflection, and purpose. Workshops focus on practical life skills like mending, upcycling, composting, and more while expanding the definition of sustainability to include creative expression, cultural connection, and personal well-being.
Upcoming Workshop
Tea & Tincture Workshop Featuring Goldenrod
Led in partnership with The Herbal Basket
and Hood Rich Earth Work
Date: Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Session Time: 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Community Sustainability Workshops
Upcoming Class Details
Join Hope for Flowers for an engaging hands-on herbal workshop exploring the beauty, history, and wellness traditions of goldenrod (Solidago spp.), a native medicinal plant commonly found throughout Michigan landscapes.
Led in partnership with The Herbal Basket and Hood Rich Earth Work, this 2.5-hour educational experience combines herbal knowledge, sustainability practices, and creative community learning.
All materials are included.
This workshop is designed to build plant identification skills, deepen understanding of herbal traditions, and encourage sustainable relationships with the natural world.
Participants will begin with an interactive lecture covering:
How to identify goldenrod and recognize common look-alikes
The ecological importance of native medicinal plants
Traditional and historical herbal uses
Herbal actions and potential wellness benefits
The difference between teas (infusions) and tinctures
Sustainable harvesting practices and plant stewardship
Important herbal safety considerations and contraindications
Participants will create their own herbal preparations during two guided make-and-take activities:
Goldenrod Tea Blend
Learn foundational herbal blending techniques while creating a custom tea blend featuring goldenrod and complementary herbs. Participants will package and label their blend to take home.
Goldenrod Tincture Preparation
Explore the basics of tincture-making, including plant-to-solvent ratios, alcohol menstruum, extraction timelines, and storage methods. Each participant will prepare a tincture to take home and complete at home.
Participants will leave with:
One custom herbal tea blend
One goldenrod tincture in progress
An educational handout with preparation methods and safety notes
About The Facilitator
The Herbal Basket is a Detroit-based herbal education and product collective rooted in land stewardship, cultural plant knowledge, and community wellness. Through small-batch herbal products and hands-on workshops, The Herbal Basket helps reconnect people to plants, place, and seasonal rhythms.
This workshop supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 11, 12, and 15 by promoting community wellness, hands-on ecological education, sustainable harvesting practices, urban biodiversity, and local value-added plant production.
Space is limited. Registration is required.
This workshop is FREE for all Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck Residents.
Participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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?
Workshops are 2-3 hours long and meet either in the artisan Studio classroom or on-site at a partner organization. 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 and earn a few new skills! These workshops are hands-on and require active participation.
What is the class size?
We work with each teaching artist or community educator to determine the best class size for the medium at hand, which can range from 8 to 24 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.
Community workshops sometimes meet off-site at a partner organization. Check your registration materials for specific instructions for off-site workshops.
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 Workshops
Previous Workshops
Map
119 Garfield St, Suite 500
Detroit, MI 48201
We are located on the west side of the Freelon building on the plaza.
