Flora by Holly Nordeck.
Textiles: Soft Sculptures
In this 4-week class, explore and experiment with various fiber-art techniques by transforming two-dimensional fabric drawings and paintings into three-dimensional, plushie soft sculptures inspired by nature, abstraction, and the DAM’s contemporary Textile Arts and Fashion collection.
Students will walk through and learn about the collections, focusing on textile work that utilizes drawing and painting elements. Through the exploration of the DAM’s collections, students will learn how expansive textile and fiber arts can be, inspiring them to make their own fiber art. The class will focus on simple and accessible techniques. Students will learn how to paint on fabric by using fabric paint and paint markers, and be inspired to make their own shapes, colors, patterns, etc. Students will then learn how to transform their two-dimensional fabric pieces into three-dimensional soft sculptures by learning simple sewing techniques and skills. This is an experimental approach to soft sculpture where students are free to explore, play and try new techniques all while being introduced to the basics of fabric painting, drawing, and sewing.
What to Expect: The first day of class will be informational and learning based, we will walk through the galleries and view a presentation. The rest of the day-to-day class experience will comprise of art demos and creating soft sculpture pieces. This is a primarily a project-based approach where experimentation in painting, drawing, and sewing will be encouraged.
Students can choose to make one large soft sculpture or two medium soft sculpture pieces. Some knowledge of hand-sewing is encouraged but not required. Students must be comfortable holding a needle and thread or utilizing fabric glue. Students should have an interest in painting and drawing on fabric and understand that this is the primary focus of the class.
Creative Classes are taught in a studio art environment and offer an opportunity to learn from professional creatives through traditional and experimental approaches. Each class is uniquely designed by a creative educator for an adult audience, designed to help you learn a new skill or expand your own creative practice. Explore the Winter/Spring 2025 class schedule.
Photo by Tan Boe.
About the Educator
Holly Nordeck currently works and lives in Golden, CO. She graduated from Colorado State University with a BFA and minor in Art Business in 2016, her visual art has exhibited at Lincoln Center (Fort Collins), Arvada Center for the Arts (Arvada), StoreRoom (Denver), and Bell Projects (Denver). Nordeck has worked in cultural institutions since 2016, her focus is producing participatory events in collaboration with Colorado creatives. She is experienced in event production, creative consulting, public engagement experiences, and art focused facilitation.
Learn more at holly-nordeck.com.
To request a sign language interpreter or any other accessibility service, email access@denverartmuseum.org at least ten (10) business days in advance of the program. We will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made outside of that window of time.
Class Cancellation Policy: If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a Friday or Saturday as the educator’s schedule allows.
