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Join herbalist Emily Pearson Ryan and printmaking instructor Jessie Merriam for an exploration of goldenrod, the classic flower of late summer. Students will spend time with Emily learning about the botany, harvesting practice, and medicinal uses of this abundant native perennial, which is more likely an ally for allergy sufferers than an enemy! We'll discuss herbs and allergy season in general, and students will have the opportunity to sample goldenrod tea during a brief snack break. We will then learn the process of woodblock printmaking by carving a goldenrod design with Jessie and printing it on different papers. For this class Jessie provides a template, which students can adapt or come prepared with their own 4x6” design (in pencil/ok to draw over it in pencil to transfer to block). Students will use sharp tools to carve 4x6" blocks and use water-based inks for printing, using methods easy to replicate at home.
For designing your own goldenrod image, check out basic woodblock design guidelines here: Intro to Relief Printing Design Guide
Images of Minnesota goldenrod (and information about them!) can be found here: Minnesota Wildflowers. Stiff goldenrod is one of the easier species to adapt for woodblock—which lends itself to symbolic representation rather than highly detailed renditions of plants.
The materials fee for this class is $35 and is included in the admission cost
* If you require an accommodation to take this class, please indicate so in the registration form. Read about our accommodations policy here. *
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Taught by Jessie Merriam (@wheelbugs) and Emily Pearson Ryan
