STONE TALISMAN CARVING WORKSHOP
I’m opening my studio and elements of my creative process for an active stone carving workshop through movement and making.
It’s an opportunity to create in community, and immerse yourself in the process of shaping stone into a wearable personal talisman or meditative object that can be held. As well as carving, we will explore somatic movement as a way of activating and connecting with the imagination. The internal images we access will guide the process, whether they are figurative, symbolic, or abstract.
The class will be a small, intimate group of up to six people at my studio in Brooklyn.
I have a variety of stones to choose from that can be worked by hand or with power tools.
Once we get started with some general instruction, I will work with you individually to craft your talisman from wherever you are skill wise. No prior experience is necessary to take the workshop.
January Workshop:
Saturday Jan 18th & Sunday 19/25th* - Noon-6pm
The exchange for the two day workshop is $285, which includes all tools and materials.
*If it works better for you to workshop over two Saturdays, you can take day 2 the following week.
Day 2 is open work time. Once you have taken the workshop, can also signup for this as an additional day.
Location:
Benjamin Heller Art Studio
1013 Grand Street, Suite 517, Brooklyn, NY 11211
East Williamsburg Brooklyn at the corner of Morgan and Grand street.
Subway take L to Grand or Graham stop.
Email me or call if you have any questions at benjaminhellerart@gmail.com or 6462216059
What to Bring:
Wear or bring clothes that you don’t mind getting a little wet or dirty.
Headphones if you want to tune out while you work.
(Normal ear protection and PPE will be available)Your Curiosity, Creativity, Hands, and Heart
MORE ABOUT TALISMAN
For years I have been carving meditative objects and personal talisman. It is one of the deep roots of my practice that I often turn to in times of change, a way to re-connect with my own center, and as gifts to share connection with friends and loved ones. It is resilience practice that tunes into the body, and clarifies the deeper desires and intentions of how I want to be in the world.
Recently I’ve felt called in these shifting times, to share this work and practice with others. I’m offering this workshop as a way to gather community, and also because I think that the hands-on and embodied process of engaging with creativity is just as important as the object. I find so much of the meaning is in the making. It is an empowering experience to find how a material as hard as stone can be shaped into something soft and sensual … and besides, it’s more fun to play with others.
Historically, a Talisman is any object ascribed with spiritual, religious, or magical powers intended to protect, heal, or guide the individuals for whom they are made. Talismans are often portable objects carried on someone or worn in a variety of ways, but can also be installed permanently in architecture. The word talisman comes from French talisman, via Arabic ṭilasm (طِلَسْم, plural طلاسم ṭalāsim), derived from ancient Greek telesma (τέλεσμα), and the verb teleō (τελέω), "I complete, perform a rite”. [wiki]
To work with stone, is to work with elemental earth and deep time. I find that as I transform the material, it transforms me.
