The Monashee Arts Council is offering two hands-on instrument making courses this March as part of its spring programming in Lumby.
In the Earth Arts Rawhide Rattle workshop, participants will create an ancient musical instrument.
“Rawhide rattles are used to create sacred space, to bring in positive spirits, or just to make some great percussive music,” said course instructor Suzan Purdy.
Students will learn some of the history and application of this earth art while bringing their own interpretation to the design of the instrument
The class will be held over the course of two evenings, Wednesday, March 6 and 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the White Valley Community Hall in Lumby.
Students can also create their own Garifuna West African hand drum using traditional techniques and materials in the Drum Making-Expression workshop.
Participants will get to create their own design to reflect their interpretation of this usable piece of art. This workshop is open to everyone regardless of whether or not they have hand-drum experience.
“A sketch of artwork with repeating patterns and shapes is helpful to have with you for the first class for carving and painting on your drum,” said instructor Angela Roy, who taught a drumming workshop for the Monashee Arts Council last session.
The weekend workshop will be held on March 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the White Valley Community Hall.
Pre-registration and information is available at the Monashee Arts Council office. Call 778-473-3029 or e-mail monasheeartscouncil@gmail.com.
