Trout Parade Workshops
About
Create watershed-themed puppets and flags for the first annual Burlington Trout Parade! These free workshops invite community members of all ages to work with Janice Walrafen, co-founder of Montpelier’s All Species Day Parade, and printmaker, muralist and activist Uncle Erok to make parade art that celebrates the Lake Champlain Watershed. Participants will make art for the Trout Parade and will learn block printing and puppet making techniques.
Come for the whole time or stop in for an hour. We hope that all workshop participants will join the parade, but this is not a requirement for participation.
Workshops are open to all ages. Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
May 10, 12-4 at Sustainability Academy
May 18, 12-4 at the Flynn
About Uncle Erok
Uncle Erok (he/him/they/them) is a local artist, activist and poet who strives to create work that inspires joy, wonder, deep connection and liberation. From large-scale murals, banners, flags and protest signs to astrological woodcuts, freestyle poetry and upcycled clothing, erok offers a big and tiny array of artwork. Erok has been print making for over 20 yrs working in DIY styles of both screen and block printing. Often he's working with community to make prints and art used in parades, protests and campaigns for climate justice and human rights.
About Janice Walrafen
Janice Walrafen is a multi media artist/sculptor/puppet maker/teacher/community celebrant living along the Winooski River in Central Vermont. For almost 4 decades she has been creating larger than life puppets, masks and costumes to celebrate the cycles of the seasons with community pageantry. It began in 1987 with the All Species Project, which is founded on the principles of ecology, and celebrating the interdependence of all life. Much of what she does can be seen at: https://www.alltogethernowvt.org/
"When we create and wear masks and costume representing another species of life, imagine seeing through their eyes, we find we can learn to be earthlings, not just human beings. Puppet theater is a powerful way to build community and narrate stories to inspire respect for all of life."
Additionally, she makes decorative Art Tiles https://www.jravenarttile.com/ and teaches art, both in the studio and community centers.
