Island Farm is teaming up with the Silver River Center for Chair Caning to offer two unique learning opportunities.
Visitors can choose to create reed-weaved ornaments just in time for the holidays, or learn how to weave chair seats in the Shaker style, developed in the 1800’s.
On Friday, November 5, visitors will weave and decorate ornaments made out of splint reed creating stars, reindeers or snowflakes. Three sessions will be offered throughout the day; 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The cost to participate is $20 per person and can be pre-purchased online, or purchased at the door.
Saturday, November 6, participants will learn how to weave a chair seat with Shaker tape, colorful cotton strapping developed by the Shakers in the 1800’s. Students can choose to bring their own chair, or work on a “CHAIRity” chair, to donate to Island Farm. All materials are included to fix an old family favorite, or to learn on one of the farm’s chairs. This event takes place from 10a.m – 3 p.m. and pre-registration is required.
Workshop instructors Brandy and Dave of the Silver River Center for Chair Caning run the nation’s only chair caning school and museum, based in Asheville, North Carolina. These self-proclaimed chair nerds have committed a better part of their lives empowering others to learn to restore their own chairs, keeping the tradition of chair caning alive and thriving.
For more information about these events, and to learn more about Island Farm, please visit www/obcinc.org/if_chaircaning/ or call (252) 473- 5440.