Innisfree Inspires and Upstate Art Weekend: Fine Art Embroidery Workshop with Richard Saja

Join fine art embroiderer Richard Saja at Innisfree Garden for an exclusive, two-hour, hands-on workshop exploring his process and creating “embellished toile.” Richard embroiders over toile de Jouy, a traditional textile form of densely printed, typically monochrome landscape vignettes.

“The act of selectively embellishing small areas of [toile] automatically inverts its historical usage: suddenly the anonymity of the print is broken, and it evolves through its subversion…With an economy of means, a whole new context is created.”

Inspired by Innisfree, Richard has been planning a special series on this landscape for several years. With fellow artist Maeve McCool, he has just completed the base layer, a custom toile featuring iconic scenes from Innisfree Garden. Along with other necessary supplies you can keep, you will be given a section of this new Innisfree fabric (not available anywhere else) to embellish with guidance from Richard, making this landscape your own. There will be a few pairs of scissors available to borrow, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.

Based in the Hudson Valley, Richard Saja exhibits his work and curates contemporary art exhibits around the world — this year from Paris to Provincetown. In addition to the Innisfree project, he is working on a new collaboration with Schumacher, a leading force in fine decorative textiles since the 19th century.

Participation is limited. Advance registration is strongly suggested.

This event will be held rain or shine, but in a covered location in the event of wet weather. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for another date or program.

Click here to register.