The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center will host Cocoon Lantern Workshop — the first of six light themed workshops — from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14th at MOSS, 120 W. First St., Port Angeles.
Though this workshop is sold out, people interested can put their name on a waiting list.
Each workshop is part of the lead up to the Wintertide Festival of Lights event on Dec. 11, when participants are invited to bring the lanterns and luminaries they have created and join the community lantern parade through Webster’s Woods.
On Saturday, Nov. 20, the arts center is teaming up with the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts at their Art at the Market program. Youths are invited to make a simple lantern design for free, and the first 50 participants will get a free ticket to the Wintertide Festival of Lights. No registration is needed; simply show up at the Farmer’s Market between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For a more advanced workshop, community members may choose to attend the two-day Luminary Workshop led by artist Nichole Rose from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5. This workshop is limited to 12 participants, ages 16 and older; masks and proof of full vaccination are required.
There are also three after school workshop options for children ages 7-12. Children can attend one or more of the workshops: Collaborative Project, Cocoon Lanterns,or Luminaries. The after-school workshops are 2:30-5 p.m. on Wednesdays on Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 18, and are held in the courtyard of the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd. Masks are required.
A Festival of Lights ticket is included in the workshop registration fee for all workshops except the Art at the Market with the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts, where only the first 50 participants will receive a free ticket.
Community members can learn more about the workshops and register for them online at pafac.org/wintertideworkshops.html.
More PAFAC events
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center will also be hosting their annual Makers Market and Light Art Experience, both opening on Friday, Nov. 26. At the market, shoppers will find a range of locally-made gifts by 31 artists and artisans. The Makers Market will be open for extended hours until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday of the opening weekend, Nov. 26-27. Visitors can shop into the evening, enjoy heated seating in the outdoor courtyard, and stroll through the forested park to see a dozen new or returning Light Art installations.
The Festival of Lights combines all of these Wintertide elements into two days of activities. On the evening of Friday, Dec. 10, visitors are invited to take their time shopping in the gallery for holiday gifts during the extended Makers Market hours and enjoy the Courtyard Café, complete with music, heated seating, warm drinks and food provided by Pacific Pantry.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, there will be a lantern workshop at 10 a.m., followed by an afternoon break before the festival begins at 5 p.m. Community members are invited to bring the lanterns created at the workshops and join the community lantern parade through Webster’s Woods to start the celebration.
Visitors can also enjoy lighted art illuminating the forest paths, glow in the dark art stations, food and drinks from Pacific Pantry, Fogtown Coffee, and The Roosevelt, and fire and light performances by The Fractal Phase and Shadow Sail Theater in the meadow.
For more information about the Wintertide Festival of Lights and to buy tickets, visit pafac.org/wintertidefestival.html.
The Makers Market runs from Nov. 26-Dec. 19, in the historic Esther Webster Gallery; hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Sunday; see the PAFAC website (pafac.org) for extended hours.
The Light Art Experience runs from Nov. 26-Jan. 9 in Webster’s Woods. The artworks will be lit up nightly from dusk to 8 p.m.
Masks are required for all attendees at all times in the gallery. Those who are fully vaccinated may remove their masks in the courtyard if able to maintain 6 feet of social distance.
