Basketry Embellishments: Finishing Details with Lula Smith

The Artspace is pleased to introduce Art + Practice, a series of free, artist-led workshops this summer that highlight the creative potential that lies within materials sourced from nature and brings together artists and social practitioners interested in exploring new approaches and ways of thinking about the landscape and our connections to the natural world.

Art + Practice is a calendar of intimate gatherings at the Artspace and designated locations within the community each week for registered attendees to engage in artist-led, hands-on workshops for adults and children (ages 12 and up), who are interested in exploring the creative process.

The workshops will offer participants opportunities for informal interaction and exchange, hands-on experience with communal material gathering through foraging and sourcing reclaimed material, and a communal sharing of the learning process.

In Basketry Embellishments: Finishing Details, artist Lula Smith will lead the second of three consecutive and progressive workshops to introduce participants to the materials, traditions, and techinques of basketry including form building, finishing details such as vessel rims and bases, and embellishments including lids and handles.

All workshops are free, materials are provided, and rsvp is required. Participants may work with both flat and round reeds as well as natural and smoked reeds to create alternating tonal variations and patterns within their piece.

Soaking the materials in water will be part of the making process, so participants should plan to wear casual and comfortable clothes. The workshops are consecutive and build upon instruction from the previous session, so attendees are welcome (though not required) to attend all three workshops to gain the full experience.

RSVP: Space is limited, and on a first come, first serve basis, so reserve your seat through Eventbrite. Email [email protected], or call 816-802-3571 for directions and questions. Participants will meet at the Artspace at 1:00 p.m. for an introduction of materials following by a demo and hands-on making.

The Art + Practice workshop series may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstance, so for the latest information, including other rsvp sign-up opportunities and workshop details and locations, contact the venue directly. Follow us on Instagram @hrblockartspace and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hrblockartspace/ or visit www.kcai.edu/artspace, to receive the most up-to-date information about these programs.

PLAN YOUR VISIT: Located at 16 East 43rd Street (43rd and Walnut), in Kansas City, Missouri, the Artspace is open and free to all. For more information about public programs, participating artists, and to get directions, contact the venue directly.

PARKING: Parking is available in the Artspace parking lot, the KCAI Fiber Warehouse parking lot next door at 4218 Walnut Street, and along the street.

About the Artist: Lula Smith is an interdisciplinary artist with a BFA in Ceramics and a Minor in Social Practice from KCAI. She has experience working with a range of materials and processes including ceramics, fiber and weaving, knitting, sewing and dyeing techniques, metal fabrication, papermaking, and sustainable practices. She has exhibited throughout the Kansas City region, and she has organized workshops for the Kansas City Art Institute, Rotary Youth Camp, and the Kansas City Indian Center.

Basketry Embellishments: Finishing Details with Lula Smith is organized by the H&R Block Artspace as part of its Art + Practice: 2024 Summer Workshop Series, June 29 - August 24, 2024.

Images (from above): Lula Smith basketry workshop material details and process; Lula Smith, What My Grandfather Leaves Us, 2023, tile installation, performance, sound (detail); courtesy of the artist.

Host or Publisher H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City Art Institute