Eastern Edge & Artforce NL Workshop Series
Eastern Edge and Artforce NL are excited to be partnering again to present another emerging artist workshop series! This time we are offering 5 workshops, hosted by a mix of local and visiting artists. This series includes a variety of free creative and professional skill-building opportunities aimed at young artists and makers ages 15-30, but all are welcome to attend. Stay tuned to this page for more info on upcoming workshops and registration!
Artforce NL is an arts-based education charity, helping Newfoundland and Labrador youth overcome social and/or economic obstacles. Through arts-based programming and connections, Artforce helps young people coping with challenging circumstances develop life skills essential for independence and success.
Eastern Edge is an artist-run centre located in St. John’s, NL, dedicated to exhibiting work that facilitates critical dialogue concerning issues in contemporary art and society, and actively encouraging emerging and established artists whose work speaks to feminist, multicultural, queer, and other diverse perspectives.
Upcoming Workshops
Americanotopia: an interactive performance with Cat Bluemke & John Janigan-Mills
February 22, 2025
6:00 – 7:00 PM
In-person at Eastern Edge Studio
Artists in residence Cat Bluemke and John Janigan-Mills invite audiences for a live and interactive “Let’s Play” of their video game “Americanotopia.” Play an unpaid intern slinging caffeine shots for executives in a world entirely composed of coffee kiosks. Uncover the corporate underworld (there’s literally a dungeon) and serve your way to success while local musicians Zaynab Wilson (Drums), Julia Cass (Trombone), Liam Kovich (Piano) and artist John Janigan-Mills (Bass) perform a live rendition of the game’s soundtrack.
Please note, this will be a scent-free event!
Getting Photos Ready for Screen Print with Ignatius Baker
March 8, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 PM
In-person at Eastern Edge Studio
“Interested in learning how to translate your photos to files ready to print on transparencies for screen printing? I will be taking you through the processes I used in Photoshop for my project ‘Belonging.’ The workshop will include information on selections, adjustments, layers, mockups, spot channels, files types and camera considerations. I will be focusing on preparing photos for flats of colour and I will talk about different color strategies I used with a one to three screen colour palette. Participants can bring a laptop and photos they would like to prepare but it is not a requirement to attend the workshop. For those bringing laptops, a version or free trial of Photoshop will be best to follow along step by step. Other software that you are familiar with, with image adjustment threshold and spot channel support, should allow you to follow along with the instruction as well.”
Click here to register for this workshop!
Intro to 3D Printing with Ian Vogt
March 15, 2025
1:00 – 3:00 PM
In-person at Eastern Edge Studio
3-D printing is used for prototyping, manufacturing, repairs, and … art! Join St. John’s 3-D print artist Ian Vogt for this introduction to 3-D printing with a particular focus on using the 3-D printer in the Eastern Edge studio, which is available for use by members. We will briefly look at different technologies and then delve into how to prepare model files for the printer. As time allows, the workshop will also look at creating models with different open-source tools.
Ian Vogt is a 3-D print artist living in St. John’s NL. Ian has made sculptures in wood, wax, and stone, off and on, over the years. In 2019 Ian started 3-D printing and hasn’t looked back.
This workshop is being held in collaboration with ArtforceNL, an arts-based charity serving at-risk youth. As such, we strongly encourage participation from youth ages 15-30. This workshop is free and open to the public, with a registration cap of 15, so click here to register now if you would like to attend!
Mini Comics with Kevin Woolridge (Heavy Sweater Comics)
March 22, 2025
3:00 PM
In-person at Eastern Edge
Join cartoonist Kevin Woolridge for this workshop all about making mini comics! We’ll start with some basics about comic design: layout, lettering, composition, character, and more. Then we’ll move on to mini comics! We’ll learn about different ways of putting together a mini comic and walk away with our own creations. Participants will be hands on during this workshop. Some basic materials will be provided, but feel free to bring along anything you’d like to work with!
Kevin Woolridge (he/him) is a multidisciplinary artist from Goulds, NL, primarily working in theatre and comics. He has been making comics since he was a kid but got more serious (or less serious) about it in 2007, when his comic strip, The Little World, found publication in Current. He is the publisher behind Heavy Sweater Comics, which launched in late 2023, and has published 8 books by local cartoonists since then. He has released a score of mini comics over the years, and loves introducing people to the medium. In his day life, he is the Operations Manager of the Resource Centre for the Arts and Board Chair of Untellable Movement Theatre.
This workshop is being held in collaboration with ArtforceNL, an arts-based charity that serves at risk youth. As such, we strongly encourage participation from youth ages 15-30. This workshop is free and open to the public, and will be running during HOLD FAST Zinefest!
Handmade Artist Books: Folding with Feeling with Amanda Penney
March 22, 2025
12:00 PM
In-person at Eastern Edge
Discover handmade artist books in our workshop, where creativity meets craftsmanship. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists, this session focuses on the art of paper folding and bookbinding, transforming simple materials into captivating three-dimensional objects. We will delve into the technique of the meandering fold, offering a unique opportunity for artistic expression.
Meandering Fold Technique: The meandering fold is a remarkable paper engineering technique that creates books with pages folding in a maze-like pattern. This innovative method allows your book to open in various directions—sideways, upside down, or even backwards—offering a playful and interactive experience for both the creator and the reader. This dynamic structure is perfect for exploring personal narratives and complex themes.
Artistic Exploration: Participants will have the freedom to draw, write, and collage images within their books. Guidance will be provided throughout the process, from conceptualizing your theme to binding your pages into a cohesive art book. By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with a precious personalized art book—a testament to your creativity and newfound skills.
Create Your Own Art Book: In this hands-on workshop, participants will craft their own hardcover meandering fold art book. Our thematic focus will be on polarizing emotions, encouraging you to delve into your own emotional spectrum and reactions to the world around you. This exploration provides a unique opportunity for self-expression, allowing you to reflect and create in a personal way.
Join us for this workshop and leave with a pocket sized piece of art. No prior experience is necessary.
This workshop is being held in collaboration with ArtforceNL, an arts-based charity that serves at risk youth. As such, we strongly encourage participation from youth ages 15-30. This workshop is free and open to the public, and will be running during HOLD FAST Zinefest!