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Circular Weaving
with Macy McCall
Experience Level: Beginner
Create your own unique wall hanging at Circular Weaving on Friday, March 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in The Studio.
Macy McCall of TwinFringe will share beginner weaving techniques and students will create their own weaving on a steel circular frame. A variety of colors and fibers will be available to help make each take-home piece unique!
$75/person. Register by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Macy McCall, a fiber artist in Champaign, started her fiber art journey in 2018 when she first learned about macramé. By 2020 she started her small business, TwinFringe, in which she sells her artwork and teaches a variety of workshops.
She has taught in many different locations such as Parkland Community College, Allerton Park, local plant shops, and private events. Besides macramé, Macy is learning how to weave as well, which has been an exciting endeavor as she continues to explore the beautiful world of fiber art.
Will run
Foraging Walk (March 8)
with Michael Baker
Former Allerton In-Residence naturalist Michael Baker will return to the Park to conduct a Foraging Walk from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Sun Singer.
Baker, a professional forager, will give demonstrations of the current uses of edible plants and mushrooms during the walk. Participants will be introduced to a variety of wild edible plants and mushrooms and be instructed on which plants to avoid.
$35/person (all ages). Register here by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Michael Baker is a professional foraging educator and podcaster in the Chicago suburbs. His show, the Wild Edible World podcast, seeks to educate anyone who will listen on edible plants and fungi, what they taste like, and where you can find them. He is also a co-founder of Remnant Roots non-profit which seeks to adopt vacant lots and turn them into native plant sanctuaries.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, wellness, outdoor education, storytelling, and science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Foraging Walk (March 9)
with Michael Baker
Former Allerton In-Residence naturalist Michael Baker will return to the Park to conduct a Foraging Walk from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Sun Singer.
Baker, a professional forager, will give demonstrations of the current uses of edible plants and mushrooms during the walk. Participants will be introduced to a variety of wild edible plants and mushrooms and be instructed on which plants to avoid.
$35/person (all ages). Register here by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Michael Baker is a professional foraging educator and podcaster in the Chicago suburbs. His show, the Wild Edible World podcast, seeks to educate anyone who will listen on edible plants and fungi, what they taste like, and where you can find them. He is also a co-founder of Remnant Roots non-profit which seeks to adopt vacant lots and turn them into native plant sanctuaries.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, wellness, outdoor education, storytelling, and science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Creating from Colorful Coiled Fabric
with Billie Theide
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the techniques of spiral coil weaving at Creating from Colorful Coiled Fabric on Wednesday, March 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. in The Studio.
At this workshop, instructor Billie Theide will walk students through the process as they make colorful coiled fabric bowls, vases, placemats, coasters and jewelry. Students will be introduced to a variety of materials and edge finishes.
$100/person (Ages 13+; 13- to 17-year-olds must be accompanied by a registered adult). Register by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.
She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
Wines of the World (March 12): Sense of Place
with Mike Lee
Experience Level: Beginner
Take part in a delicious series with an international flavor at Wines of the World on Wednesday, March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium.
Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he takes students on an enchanting journey through the vineyards both domestically and across the globe. With a wealth of knowledge and passion for introducing students to tasting, talking, and understanding wine, Mike’s engaging style immerses students in wines of the world.
Mike’s class is for beginners and wine lovers alike, from the refined elegance of Bordeaux to the inspiring hills of Tuscany, the bold flavors of Rioja and the full, rich vintages of California. Each class will include tastings of 5 to 6 wines (see below for details on varieties).
$200/person for the entire series* or $60/class (Ages 21+). Register by Feb 12th. or one week before each class. All sales are final.
Registration links:
— Feb. 19: Navigating Blends/The Art of Winemaking — discover the world of blended wines and why winemakers choose to blend
— March 12: Sense of Place — a class contrasting wines from regions across the globe
— March 26: Oregon and Washington — exploring American winemakers outside of California
— April 9: Choosing Wines for Any Occasion — Match wines to seasons and occasions
*Sign up for all four classes individually and use the promo code “WINE40” to get $40 off at checkout.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Mike Lee is an accomplished wine, spirits, and beer educator with 9+ years in the alcohol industry. Having achieved the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (London) Certified Educator achievement in Wine, Lee is certified to teach levels 1 and 2 internationally. With experience with class sizes large and small, he is known for his ability to adapt to any learning environment with excellent facilitation skills.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
See the complete Spring Session schedule here.
Talking & Tasting: Intro to Wines of the World (March 14)
with Mike Lee
Experience Level: Beginner
Take part in a new wine education class at Talking & Tasting: Intro to Wines of the World on Friday, March 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Library.
Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he will walk students through the art of wine tasting as an introduction to Wines of the World.
Each class will include tastings of 5 to 6 wines. You must be at least 21 years old to participate. Consider making it a weekend getaway and book a room overnight as part of Allerton's Weekend Wind Down series.
$60/person (Ages 21+). Register by March 5. All sales are final.
Weekend Wind Down room rates are $110/night. To make a reservation, please call 217-333-3287.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the Instructor
Mike Lee is an accomplished wine, spirits, and beer educator with 9+ years in the alcohol industry. Having achieved the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (London) Certified Educator achievement in Wine, Lee is certified to teach levels 1 and 2 internationally. With experience with class sizes large and small, he is known for his ability to adapt to any learning environment with excellent facilitation skills.
Spring Cookie Decorating
with Jennifer Holhubner
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn how to decorate cookies for spring at Spring Cookie Decorating on Saturday, March 15 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Greenhouse Café.
Learn to decorate spring-themed cookies with royal icing, crusting butter cream and rolled buttercream! Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and explain wet-on-wet technique, outlining and flooding and make flowers. Each participant will receive directions to decorate five cookies.
$75/person*. Register here by Feb. 28. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a take-home container.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Champaign-Urbana native Jennifer Holhubner taught herself how to decorate cakes when she was 16 years old and took up cookie decorating in 2019.
“Although they intimidated me, I forged on and got better with each order. I still have room to grow as we all do in whatever task we take on,” she said. “But I love to share the aspects of baking and decorating. I can actually now say, I am cookier!”
Jennifer also teaches decorating classes at Parkland College.
Irish Baked Goods: Barmbrack & Irish Soda Bread
with Leah Bodine
Experience Level: Beginner
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by taking part in Irish Baked Goods: Barmbrack & Irish Soda Bread on Monday, March 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
In this workshop, Chef Leah Bodine will teach the basics of creating the batter needed for these Irish favorites. Students will take home recipes, instructions and the batter to bake these treasured treats!
$45/person. Register here by March 10. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Leah Bodine calls herself the ‘accidental chef’ with years of experience in the food industry. She started her catering company, Blue Dragonfly Catering, to express her creative mind in food preparation and cultivating recipes. She loves sharing her skills with others and seeing the fascination on students’ faces when they realize how creative they can be and how easy it is to do so.
Her experiences in the food industry have led her to live in Paris and cater for rock and country legends.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
See the complete Spring Session schedule here.