Learn at the Craft & Folk Art Museum

The Craft & Folk Art Museum offers a variety of workshops and classes, art talks, readings, and participatory projects for all ages. View our chronological list of events.

Wayne Perry in Residence
Sunday, April 22 | 11:00am–2:00pm

Melting Point artist Wayne Perry will be on site with his pottery wheel, throwing clay and sharing his unique approach to ceramics, community art making workshops, and public art.

On Clay: Melting Point Panel Discussion, Moderated by Exhibition Co-Curator Andres Payan & Michael Jones McKean
Sunday, April 22 | 2:00pm | Free

Join Melting Point exhibiting artists Brian Benfer, Julia Haft-Candell, and Kristen Morgin for a deeper look into their distinctive practices and processes, followed by a brief discussion about the history of clay and the relevance of the ceramic object in the contemporary world.

Space is limited, RSVP required: rsvp@cafam.org

From Earth, to Farm, to Grain, to Table: A Multi-Sensory Evening and Clay Workshop
Friday, April 27 | 6:00–9:00pm | $55 / $45 members (includes materials, beer, bread, and clay workshop)

An eclectic group of makers lead a variety of hands-on demonstrations on baking, brewing, farming, and working with clay. Led by artist Leyna Lightman, farmer Larry Kandarian, Ceor Bread, Craftsman Brewing, and ceramist Beverly Morrison, participants will learn about harvesting grain and foraging clay and participate in baking bread inside a ceramic kiln, beer tasting, and creating their own ceramic pieces. Fired ceramics will be available for pick up at a later date.

Advanced registration required, click here to register.
For any registration questions please email: workshops@cafam.org

CraftNight: Face Pots! A Clay Workshop with Uno+Ichi

Thursday, May 3 | 7:00–9:00pm | $15 / free for members (includes materials, drinks, snacks and firing)

LA-based Uno+Ichi lead a special workshop on creating handmade clay pots! Using clay, paint, and underglaze, participants will learn how to create a unique clay pot portrait. Fired pots will be available for pick up at a later date.

Space is limited, RSVP at: cafammay2018.eventbrite.com

Spring Marketplace VIP Preview & Brunch
Saturday, May 5 | 10:00–11:30am | $15 (includes complimentary food, drink + museum admission)

Be the first to shop Spring Marketplace, CAFAM’s annual spring benefit! VIP guests get early access to our vendors’ unique creations and enjoy complimentary Bloody Marys, mimosas, and delicious pupusas. Vegan and vegetarian options available.

Advanced tickets available here.

Annual Spring Marketplace
May 5 & 6 | 11:30am–6:00pm | Free with admission

The Spring Marketplace is an annual shopping event overseen by the CAFAM Shop. The event will feature some of our local contemporary craft and design community in Los Angeles. Come look and shop for unique jewelry, art, textiles, housewares, and other beautiful handcrafted items. All just in time for Mother’s Day.

The CAFAM galleries will be closed for exhibition installation from May 7 – 25. The CAFAM Shop will maintain its regular hours.

Block Printing Cards with Mimi Haddon: A CraftLab Family Workshop
Sunday, May 13 | Drop in between 1:30–3:30pm | $10 adults / $7 children / free for members

Learn about block printing with foam stamps during this special Mother’s Day workshop. Experiment with printing techniques and colorful patterns to make a handmade block printed card for mom or a loved one.

Space is limited, RSVP requested: cafamlabmay2018.eventbrite.com

Seeing Stars: A Bamboo Sculpture Workshop with Akio Hizume
Sunday, May 20 | 1:00pm–3:00pm | $50 / $40 members

Work directly with Bamboo exhibiting artist Akio Hizume to create two large-scale bamboo Quasi-Crystal structures. These elegant, starburst-like forms are created by combining geometry with skilled bamboo joining techniques. Participants will work in depth with Hizume to learn his complex process and create two collaborative sculptures that will be displayed in the CAFAM courtyard as part of the Bamboo exhibition. All participants will be credited as collaborators on the project and will be invited to attend the opening reception for the exhibition on May 26th.

Advanced registration required, click here to register.
For any registration questions please email: workshops@cafam.org

Bamboo: Members–Only Preview with Akio Hizume
Tuesday, May 22 | 1:00–3:00pm

Museum members are invited to meet Japanese artist Akio Hizume as he creates a large-scale, interactive installation for the upcoming exhibition Bamboo. Get a behind-the-scenes and intimate look at his process and learn about his incredible Fibonacci bamboo installations.

RSVP required by May 18: rsvp@cafam.org

Opening Reception for Bamboo and Katherine Gray: As Clear as the Experience
Saturday, May 26 | 6:00–9:00pm

$12 entry / free for members
For more information email: info@cafam.org

CraftNight: Embroidery and Mending with Mimi Haddon
Thursday, June 7 | 7:00–9:00pm | Demonstrations at 7:00 & 7:30pm | $10 / free for members (includes materials, drinks, and snacks)

Discover the beauty in repairing fabrics using mending and stitching patterns inspired by traditional Japanese Boro and Sashiko techniques. Create patterns and use hoop-less stitching on indigo dyed fabrics, denim, and found fabric swatches. Participants are welcome to bring their own garments or fabric.

Space is limited, RSVP requested: cafamjune2018.eventbrite.com

Cyanotypes with Meg Madison: A CraftLab Family Workshop!
Sunday, June 10 | 1:30–3:30pm | $10 adults / $7 children / free for members

Photographer Meg Madison leads a unique workshop on making cyanotypes, a photographic technique that uses sunlight to print shadows onto paper. Create compositions with leaves, branches, flowers, and other objects and watch as the sunlight turns the shadows into beautiful blue and white sun-prints.

Space is limited, RSVP requested: cafamlabjune2018.eventbrite.com

An Old-Fashioned Craft-Cocktail Workshop with Bar Mattachine
Sunday, June 17 | 2:00pm–4:00pm | $75 / $65 members (includes ingredients, tools & spirits)

DTLA’s Bar Mattachine leads a special mixology workshop teaching three variations of crafting an Old-Fashioned cocktail. Participants will create their own drinks, taste test, and get their own toolkit to make drinks at home. Take-home toolkit includes strainer, shakers, bitters, and cocktail-mixing spoons. For ages 21+

Advanced registration required, click here to register.
For any registration questions please email: workshops@cafam.org

Open Clay Studio: Mold-Making & Slip-Casting with Andres Payan
Thursday, June 21 & 28 | 1:00–5:00pm | $95 / $85 members (includes mold making materials, clay, and firing)

Prepare for a fun, informative, and intensive two-day workshop on creating a plaster mold that can be used to slip-cast ceramic pieces. Led by CAFAM’s curator of public engagement Andres Payan, participants will create a ceramic form that will be kiln-fired. Fired work will be available for pick up at a later date. Previous clay experience is strongly recommended. For ages 17+

Advanced registration required, click here to register.
For any registration questions please email: workshops@cafam.org

Sculptural Loom Weaving! Fiber Workshop with Mimi Haddon
Saturday, June 23 | 1:00-4:00pm | $95 / $85 members (includes materials and take-home loom kit)

Fiber artist Mimi Haddon leads a beginner class on alternative frame loom weaving. Learn to set up a wooden frame loom, various weaving techniques, and how to use weaving tools to create unexpected and dimensional woven sculptures.

Advanced registration required, click here to register.
For any registration questions please email: workshops@cafam.org

Exhibition Walkthrough Katherine Gray: As Clear as the Experience
Sunday, June 24 | 2:00pm | Free

Join exhibiting artist Katherine Gray and exhibition curator Holly Jerger for a gallery walkthrough and discussion about the artist’s process of making mesmerizing glass installations that combine hand-blown glass, found glassware, and theatrical lighting.

Space is limited, RSVP required: rsvp@cafam.org