Join us for an afternoon of block printing with Brooklyn and Sharon, CT based artist, Janis Stemmermann. Janis will be leading us through stamp carving methods using available materials such as apples and potatoes to create patterned prints on your paper you can use for all your holiday wrapping needs.

Janis Stemmermann is a visual artist, designer and the creative director/collaborative printmaker at Russel Janis, a project space in Brooklyn, NY. Stemmermann's interdisciplinary studio practice includes sculpture, textiles, ceramics and printmaking while drawing inspiration from themes of the domestic and landscape. She received a BFA in sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art and recently has exhibited work at Planthouse Gallery in New York, NY and Tanja Grunert Gallery in Hudson, NY, and Furnace Art on Paper Archive in Falls Village, CT. Her work has been supported by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Tyrone Gutherie Centre at Annaghmakerring in Ireland. Based in Brooklyn since 1988, she now divides her time between Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Sharon, CT.

Cottage Courses are artist-taught workshops created in the spirit of sharing unique methods and skills within our community. Founded by Natalie Baxter and Polly Shindler, these all-level courses connect participants with artists and practitioners who bring their own spin to learning and creating. Course offerings are related to their own practice, sharing their aideas and work throughout these casual gatherings. Hopefully these courses will empower participants to create and innovate on their own, while making some new friends along the way.