Shakerag participant hanging up blue cloth

Shakerag Workshops celebrated its 16th season of arts workshops for adults on the St. Andrew's-Sewanee School campus in Sewanee in June. Shakerag welcomed a record number of 250 artists from across the United States for classes in a variety of arts media. The workshops kicked off with a Knitting Getaway weekend June 6-9 followed by the regular week-long sessions, June 9-15 and June 16-22.

This year's weeklong classes included courses in textiles, natural dyes, painting, sewing, book arts, digital arts, clay, printmaking, jewelry, mixed media, quilting, photography, and furniture making.

"It has been exciting to watch Shakerag Workshops grow over the years," says director Claire Reishman. "The Knitting Getaway program has sold out for two years running with more than 100 knitters coming to campus to knit under the guidance of Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner of the Mason Dixon Knitters." Shayne and Gardiner have already committed to return in 2020.

Shakerag Workshops attracts a diverse group of artists who enjoy the gourmet meals and social gatherings surrounding the classes almost as much as they enjoy the workshops themselves. Most classes are open to a wide range of participants, and beginners and professionals take classes together. The inclusive atmosphere of Shakerag is one of the hallmarks of the program, and teachers over the years have commented on the vitality of classes which include students with a range of experience. "Though the program has grown over the years," says Reishman, "we work each session to retain the sense of closeness among faculty and students that we had as a smaller program, and those who have attended classes say that they leave Shakerag feeling refreshed and energized to continue developing their artistic interests."

The general public is welcome to join workshop participants for faculty artists' talks each evening at 7:15 in McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts on the St. Andrew's-Sewanee campus and for a reception and exhibition of Shakerag faculty work in the SAS Gallery on Wednesday evenings. The SAS Gallery is located in the Simmonds Building, a short walk from McCrory Hall.

The Shakerag Workshops website (www.shakerag.org) has more information about Shakerag classes and a more detailed description of the program. For more information, contact Claire Reishman at 931-463-2123.

Summer is a vibrant time at St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, an independent day and boarding school in Sewanee, Tennessee. In addition to Shakerag Workshops, the school offers a variety of arts and sports day camps for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Information about these camps is available at www.sasweb.org/summer.