About the Workshops
Papermaking Workshops - Through an innovative partnership with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in the summer of 2014, hand-pressed paper workshops were organized. Facilitated by artist and veteran, Patrick Sargent, and Assistant Chief, Integrated Health Services, CAPT Moira McGuire, the workshops benefited staff of the Warrior Clinic, who care for wounded or transitioning warriors at WRNMMC. Participating staff took old or unused military uniforms and cut them up. The cut pieces were then pulverized into a thick pulp which could be re-purposed and pressed into paper. Once the paper is formed, it can take many different forms. Screen-printed images and text, uniform pockets and tags, flags and more were added to the paper works of art. A sense of nostalgia, a safe space for dialogue, and a feeling of pride and accomplishment were found within the workshops.
Ceramic Workshops - During the Fall of 2014, The Maryland Institute College of Art partnered with the Community Arts Program at Baltimore Clayworks, a non-profit ceramic arts center, and the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore at WRNMMC, a brand new space that provides recreational, educational, and other support to active duty service members and their families. The series of five workshops were led by ceramic artist, Herb Massie. Participants were asked to create a design based on their interpretation of the American flag. Many participants added meaningful symbols to their pieces, like musical notes or important words, others created different shapes but used the colors of the flag, red, white, and blue. Some participants did not incorporate the flag at all. The workshops were meant to be a space for individuals to relax, encourage each other, and build self confidence in their own creativity.
Ceramic Workshops - During the Fall of 2014, The Maryland Institute College of Art partnered with the Community Arts Program at Baltimore Clayworks, a non-profit ceramic arts center, and the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore at WRNMMC, a brand new space that provides recreational, educational, and other support to active duty service members and their families. The series of five workshops were led by ceramic artist, Herb Massie. Participants were asked to create a design based on their interpretation of the American flag. Many participants added meaningful symbols to their pieces, like musical notes or important words, others created different shapes but used the colors of the flag, red, white, and blue. Some participants did not incorporate the flag at all. The workshops were meant to be a space for individuals to relax, encourage each other, and build self confidence in their own creativity.