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In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

November 17, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

The Balzekas Museum presents an in-person 3-Thursday Lithuanian Straw Ornament Making Master Class with artist/educator Laura Lapinskas

About this event

In order to preserve and perpetuate Lithuanian traditions, the Balzekas Museum is launching a series of traditional Lithuanian Folk Arts Master Classes. The first Master Class – on making traditional Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments– will be conducted by artist/educator Laura Lapinskas, who in 3 successive Thursday evening classes, will introduce students to the fundamental steps and techniques of making threaded Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments.

Participants will also have an opportunity to view examples of paper, plastic, and natural straw ornaments from the Museum’s exhibits and collections, and to learn about the origin and significance of ornaments and sodai, their pagan predecessors. The history of decorating Lithuanian Christmas trees in the United States will also be highlighted.

Classes will run for 3 consecutive weeks, starting Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and ending on Nov. 17, 2022. All classes will take place in person at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago IL 60629. These class demonstrations by the instructor will be filmed and subsequently available for Museum members to view on the Museum’s Vimeo channel. Ornament Kit may also be purchased through the Museum’s gift shop.

For purposes of instruction, paper straws will be used; however, natural straw will also be available for those who want to try the medium. All materials will be supplied to registrants, including straws, detailed instructions, thread and needles for threading ornaments and for making the decorative dangling “fringe” pendants.

Registration includes supplies: (straws, thread, needles, instruction sheets) and light refreshments.

Enrollment is limited to so please register early. This class is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

This project was supported in part by the Members and Donors of the Balzekas Museum as well a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and from the U.S. Department of Treasury funds through the City of Chicago (DCASE and CityArts.) The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Treasury or the City of Chicago.