The purpose of this class is to encourage dialogue between students, plants, and artists with inspiration from presenters sharing information from several Native American cultures. Robert Pullen will share use of plants in ceremonial art and as power objects in the Mvskoke (Creek) culture. Guest presenters Pat Brodowski, Barbara Steele and Tyrell Tapaha will share information about Native American plants collected in the Lewis and Clark expedition, used in Mid-Atlantic herbalism, and dyeing of fibers for Diné weaving.

Students should have a laptop, sketchbook or notebook for notes, and a pencil for sketching and drawing. They may want to have their cell phone present in case a screen image is inspiring and needs to be captured to assist memory after class when thinking about plants. If students have seed catalogues, or books about plants of interest to them, collect and have stacked where you will do this work. If there is plant patterned fabric in your wardrobe that attracts you again and again like Hawaiian shirts, patterns with fruits or flowers, have them near you.

Limit: 10 students, ages 16 and up

Consider the following related courses:

• Week 1 Perios 1 & 2 iPhone Macro Photography: Up Close in the Garden
• Week 2 Periods 1 & 2 Earth Colors
• Week 2 Periods 3 & 4 Repoussage: Sculpting Flower & Leaves