Alchemy is the ancient practice of turning dark matter into gold. This course will follow the metaphor of creating the philosopher’s stone from prima materia and will explore what it means in terms of self-development and art. We will create with paper, thread and fabric. We will apply alchemy to our creations with knots, bundles, folds, rolls, staining, tearing, boiling, burying, burning and rusting. We will welcome unexpected forms of beauty. Students will reflect on how alchemy can be used to transform their art into something new and exciting.

Your Instructor, Joanne Barwise, is a life-long learner, professional educator, mixed media maker and artist. She

likes the self-imposed title, “creatologist” and enjoys the challenge that different materials present in the making process.