NEW GLOUCESTER — Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester will offer a series of traditional craft workshops and an educational nature walks Saturday, Aug. 20, at 707 Shaker Road, Route 26.

Traditional craft workshops include:

Space-Dyed Bread Basketmaking: Local artist and basketmaker Carolyn Kemp will teach a contemporary twist to a classic basket design. Participants will complete a large traditional bread basket from space dyed reed that has beautiful, jewel-like subtle transitions of hand-dyed color. A full kit will be provided. Cost is $65.

Shaker-Style Seat Weaving: Participants will restore their favorite chair or stool in classic style. For more than 200 years, the Shakers have seated their chairs and stools with woven cloth tape — a classic Shaker feature that is colorful, comfortable and durable. Local instructor and Shaker enthusiast Sandy MacDonald will explain the history of Shaker chairs using original, historic examples along with contemporary replicas. The workshop will discuss the methods, tips and techniques to weaving Shaker chair and stool seat patterns. Cost is $50.

Shaker Christian Cross Quit-Top: Local expert seamstress Dianne Devonshire will lead participants in creating a 42-inch square quilt top replica of a Shaker-made Christian Cross quilt in the museum’s collection. Emphasis will be placed on the tips and techniques for creating precisely matched corners, angles and seams. This is an excellent class for advanced beginner to intermediate quilters. All materials are included for the top. Cost is $105.

Beginner’s Woodcarving: Pineapple: Local award-winning master-carver Norm Devonshire will lead a workshop of  in which participants will complete their own finished wood carving of a pineapple in the round. This workshop is fun for ages 14 and older and no prior carving experience is necessary. Cost is $50.

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Shaker-Style Single Step Stool: Internationally renowned local master cabinetmaker Chris Becksvoort will teach the art of woodworking, including dovetailing and mortising. Participants will build a white pine single step stool with handle, inspired from an original Shaker design. Cost is $100.

Gentle Flow Yoga: This class, led by Sue Faunce of Gingko Leaf Yoga, is great for beginners or those with experience that would like a more gentle, relaxing and meditative movement at peaceful Shaker Village. The class will run from 10 to 11 a.m. Cost is $10 per person and preregistration is required.

Nature’s Outdoor Classroom: Resident naturalist Carolyn Fensore will lead a 2½-hour hike through the Shakers’ 1,800 acres of diversified habitats while identifying and explaining flora, fauna, geological formations and Shaker history along the way. See evidence of glacial and geological forces that formed the land and watershed, including Sabbathday Lake’s Loon’s Point and the hidden treasure of Aurelia’s Cascade. The nature walk will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Participants will check in at the Museum Visitors’ Center. Shaker Village Nature Walks are free; reservations for the nature walk are suggested but not required.

FMI, register, start times: 207-926-4597, info@maineshakers.com, www.maineshakers.com/workshops, facebook.com/sabbathdaylakeshakervillage.


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