Skin and Bones (Matt Tommey and Helen Dannelly)

Workshop: Skin and Bones

Instructors: Matt Tommey and Helen Dannelly

Dates: Tuesdays, July 1-29, 2025

Time: 1-2:30 PM (CT)

Platform: Online via Zoom

Class Size: 20

Tuition: $575

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Learn from two instructors for the price of one!

Session 1

Intro to Basket Weaving: Twining an Open Form Basket with Soft Natural Materials (Matt Tommey)

Session 2

Intro to Wire Sculpture Techniques (Helen Dannelly)

Learn how to create expressive linear forms with wire, ready to be "skinned" with gut, fabric or paper.

Sessions 3-4

Skin Your Structures (Helen Dannelly)

Utilize gut or fabric and paper to skin your basket and/or wire structures. Gut (aka hog casings) is a unique, translucent material with endless possibilities.

Session 5

Critique

Features

• 5 90-minute instructional sessions with time for Q&A

• Live demonstrations and critique

• Exercises and prompts tailored to your needs

• 2 months of access to the live session recordings so you can be fully present soaking up the demos instead of frantically taking notes.

Materials

Coming Soon

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A Note From Matt Tommey

"I’m so excited that you want to find out more about making baskets with natural materials. There’s nothing like the joy of walking through the woods, sustainably harvesting materials and creating something beautiful for yourself, a friend or a client.  For over 30 years now, I’ve been creating baskets and woven sculptures from natural materials that I harvest right out of the woods near my homes in Western North Carolina and East Texas. From functional baskets that can be used daily to sculptural art that is displayed in some of the most beautiful homes and commercial spaces in the country, I love creating and teaching. I can’t wait to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way with you."

A Note From Helen Dannelly

"I will guide you in amplifying YOUR ideas. My method of teaching involves showing the potential of what you can do with the various materials and then letting you loose to see what is possible. My unconventional ways of mixing mediums and unique combining of high and low tech solutions result in demos that get you thinking outside of the box.  The materials have so much potential. Students get excited when they realize the possibilities. If you are not interested in working with gut - silk organza and silk habotai offer lovely alternatives.