Join us for our new workshops! Learn ancestral skills used by people in the past around the world. No experience is necessary and all materials are provide!
Arrowhead Making with Tim Dillard
May 26, 2024
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Learn the skills to transform a chert flake into a small arrowhead from one of the best flintknappers around in this hands-on session. Expert flintknapper Tim Dillard will teach participants arrowhead-making methods, including tool choice and raw material selection, through demonstration and one-on-one instruction. All necessary materials will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own raw material and tools if they have them.
Registration: $25/person. Open to anyone 13 years or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the program.
Limited to 12 participants.
Signup: Email or call 618-653-4316. Enrollment closes one week before the start of the program.
Atlatl Making with Jerry Nevins and the Missouri Atlatl Association
June 22, 2024
Session 1 — 9:00-11:30 am
Session 2 — 1:00-3:30 pm
Learn to create a traditional spear-thrower (atlatl) from locally sourced invasive species (honeysuckle) with Jerry Nevins and the Missouri Atlatl Association. Jerry Nevins will guide participants through the steps necessary to make functional atlatl. The workshop also includes time to throw spears. All materials are provide.
Registration: Free! Open to anyone 10 years or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the program.
Limited to 25 participants per session.
Signup: Email or call 618-653-4316. Enrollment closes one week before the start of the program.
Wild Clay Ceramics Workshop with Kyle Bird
August 8-11, 2024
9:00 am-2:30 pm daily
Learn to make traditional clay ceramics with Kyle Bird. Participants in this three-day workshop will learn to find and collect clay, prepare it for us, and shape it into a finished vessel. Finished ceramics will be fired on an open fire on the final day. All materials are provided.
Registration: $100. Limited dorm accommodations are available, though staying at the CAA is not required for participation. Daily lunch is included. Open to anyone 12 years or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the program.
Limited to 12 participants.
Signup: Complete and return this application. Enrollment closes one week before the start of the program.
This project is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency,
with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Two Rivers Arts Council.
Fire-starting with Don Stormer and Mike Dothager
September 14, 2024
Session 1 — 9:00-11:30 am
Session 2 — 1:00-3:30 pm
Lost your matches? Can’t find your lighter? Don Stormer and Mike Dothager will teach you the basics of bow drill and hand drill fire-making in this two-session workshop. Lessons will cover material selection and proper techniques, as well as tips and tricks learned from years of starting fires with bow drills and hand drills.
Registration: Free! Hand drill is open to anyone 16 years or older. Bow drill is open to anyone 10 years or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the program.
Bow drill and hand drill is offered during both sessions. Bow drill is limited to 25 participants per session. Hand drill is limited to 8 participants per session.
Signup: Email or call 618-653-4316. Enrollment closes one week before the start of the program.