Leah Aegerter

Calling all young inventors and creators! In this fun and imaginative workshop, kids dive into the world of toy-making and storytelling through hands-on art projects. Each day brings a new creative challenge as students build, paint, sculpt, and design their own one-of-a-kind toys and games. Participants will construct and decorate spinning tops using pre-sawed wooden parts, design and build mini puppet theaters and create characters to perform with. Craft imaginative creatures and figures using fabric, felt, cardboard, and clay, create handmade board games and interactive toys from recycled materials, explore basic woodworking, painting, sculpture, and design techniques, develop storytelling skills through puppet shows and imaginative play. This workshop encourages curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. Kids will not only take home a collection of unique, handmade toys—they'll also leave with new artistic skills and a sense of accomplishment. No previous experience is necessary—just bring your imagination!

In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into unique cast-paper sculptures. Starting with dry abaca pulp, we dive into the process of reconstituting, blending, dying, and casting sheets with a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper is characterized by long fibers with impressive wet strength, making it ideal for manipulation. We mold the wet sheets onto objects from home, around the studio, or in the environment. Sewing and gluing aid in combining dried paper objects into small-scale sculptural creations.