Workshops Given by Divers

2014

May 2014 Workshop with Dumpster Diver Joel Spivak

Making Something Out of Nothing Experience the fun of turning ordinary trash into treasure. In this workshop participants will learn new ways of seeing and creating art using discarded materials from everyday use. Things normally thrown away or ignored take on new meanings as they become elements of artistic compositions. You don’t have to have any art background to create this fun and rewarding project. Parents are encouraged to come with their children and work together. There will be a refreshments break midway through the workshop.

Participants should bring: scissors, “junk drawer stuff”, ie: string, bottle caps, buttons, clean items from your trash. All items should be easy to glue onto cardboard. Tools and materials provided by instructor: 2′ square sheets of cardboard and glue Maximum number of participants: 10 Open to: Children and parents, one parent per child

Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Location: Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth St., Frankford, Philly Tookany/Tacony – Frankford Watershed Partnership Office, 3rd floor Sponsored by: Destination Frankford


May Workshop with Dumpster Diver Dan Enright

Introduction to Collage
Learn to create your own collages from photos, magazine images, different kinds of paper and all sorts of printed materials. Adults will benefit by learning a brief history of collage and copyright considerations of digital compositing. Everyone will learn how to cut, tear, and arrange images to make strong compositions using different kinds of glues and adhesives. Come with photos and magazines and leave with your own artwork!
Participants should bring: scissors, papers, magazines, photos, other printed materials Tools and materials provided by instructor: glue, some exacto knives & cutting boards (for adults), magazines, found paper, printouts Maximum number of participants: 12 Open to: All ages
Date & Time: Saturday, May 17, 10:00 am – noon Location: Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth St., Frankford, Philly Tookany/Tacony – Frankford Watershed Partnership Office, 3rd floor Sponsored by: Destination Frankford


Classic neon signs from the collection of Len Davidson are on display in the Center for Architecture gallery and AIA Bookstore

Neon Design Workshop with Dumpster Diver Len Davidson

Participants will learn how neon transformers, hardware, and other elements such as metals, plastics, found objects, glass, drywall, etc. can be integrated with neon design. The workshop can be used for familiarization with neon, but it is particularly appropriate for architects, designers and artists who want to create with neon, or integrate neon into their work.

Please bring any sketch pads, pens, pencils, erasers, drafting equipment, etc. as you see fit. Neon pattern paper will be supplied. Some metals, plastics and other such materials will be shown, but if a particular material is of interest, it is suggested that participants bring a piece of the material to the workshop.

This 3-hour hands-on class will be led by Len Davidson, author of Vintage Neon (Schiffer Press, 1999). Davidson collects and restores classic neon signs, and about 10 of his 100 piece collection are on display in the Center for Architecture gallery and AIA Bookstore. Since 1979 he has also operated a neon design business in Philadelphia.

Len’s interest in neon was planted by growing up in Philadelphia in the 50s, while gazing in childhood wonder at such iconic signs as the Levis Hot Dog, Sun Ray Drugs’ animated mortar and pestle, and the Boot and Saddle. His interest bloomed in the mid 70s when he started a bar/restaurant with a neon ceiling while teaching sociology at University of Florida in Gainesville.

An Introduction to Neon History, Use & Technology with Dumpster Diver Len Davidson

In this three-hour hands-on class, led by Len Davidson, author of Vintage Neon (Schiffer Press, 1999), students will gain an overview of how neon has been developed and used to create signs, art, and architectural detailing. You will be shown how neon colors are made, types of signs, electrical transformers, and neon-related hardware. Images will be projected illustrating neon applications and iconic neon signs. This class is geared towards anyone who wants to learn about or use neon, and will go into more depth than the neon walking tours or talks held at the Center. Admission for this class will be limited to 20 participants.

Davidson collects and restores classic neon signs, and about 10 of his 100 piece collection are on display in the Center for Architecture gallery and AIA Bookstore. Since 1979 he has also operated a neon design business in Philadelphia. Len’s interest in neon was planted by growing up in Philadelphia in the 50s, while gazing in childhood wonder at such iconic signs as the Levis Hot Dog, Sun Ray Drugs’ animated mortar and pestle, and the Boot and Saddle. His interest bloomed in the mid 70s when he started a bar/restaurant with a neon ceiling while teaching sociology at University of Florida in Gainesville.


June Workshop with Dumpster Diver Neil Benson

Neil Benson LampTrash Is Simply A Failure Of Imagination!

Participants will be provided with tools and salvaged materials, primarily obsolete laptop computers and will be instructed as to how to use the tools to take apart the laptops in order to repurpose them. Each participant will be given an old wooden cigar box that will be decorated with the computer parts. After  the boxes are “trash-blinged” they can hold materials from recycling for uses the new artist sees fit in the future. A primary goal in these events is to give people a lifetime of permission to play with trash and recycling. Ideas for creative reuse of the boxes will be suggested during the workshop.

Tools and materials provided by instructor: screwdrivers, hot glue guns, other miscellaneous tools, cigar boxes, computer parts
Maximum number of participants: 12 children or 20 adults, or combination
Open to: Ages 6 – 80; families preferred so adults can assist children

Date & Time: Saturday, June 14, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Location: Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth St., Frankford, Philly
Tookany/Tacony – Frankford Watershed Partnership Office, 3rd floor
Sponsored by: Destination Frankford


Dumpster Divers Workshop at the National Archives at Philadelphia

Please join Dumpster Divers Gretchen Altabef, Joel Spivak, Neil Benson, Ann Keech, Sara Benowitz & Dan Enright in a workshop to transform discarded items from the National Archives at Philadelphia into works of art.

This is a wonderful opportunity for adults, children and families to create art using microfilm from Civil War tax assessments; reproductions from past exhibits; marketing collateral including: bookmarks, flyers, booklets, images & words; paper of various colors, sizes, weights and much more.

 

Location: National Archives at Philadelphia, 900 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Entrance: 917 Chestnut, between 9th and 10th Streets

Workshop: April 12, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

A Photo ID is required to enter Federal Buildings.