Arts-In-Education Exploratory Enrichment

BOCES ARTS-IN-EDUCATION / EXPLORATORY ENRICHMENT
PROGRAM DETAILS



Program Title
Hand Quilting – Ancestral Squares: The Nine-Patch Narrative
 
Provider Name
Shayee Arts LLC
 
Oluwaseyi Awoyomi

Huntington , NY 11743
Phone:
646-841-6819
Email:
shayeeo@gmail.com
Website:
www.shayee.org
Program Description
Ancestral Squares is a journey into the "slow art" of hand-quilting, where every stitch is a heartbeat and every square is a story. Using the classic 9-patch pattern, participants will layer hand-designed Adire fabrics, soft batting, and backing to create a rich, textured "textile tale." This workshop is a meditative exploration of how individual pieces of our history—some bold, some plain—come together to form a resilient and beautiful whole. By hand-stitching through these layers, we connect our personal "genius" to the common thread of ancestral knowledge. Middle School (The Quilt Puzzle): "Let’s make a quilt sandwich! In this workshop, students will learn how to put together a '9-patch puzzle' using beautiful hand-painted fabrics. We’ll learn the magic of layering—putting soft batting in the middle to make it cozy. Using colorful threads, we’ll practice 'slow stitching' to hold our stories together, discovering how each small square makes our big picture stronger!" For High School & College (Identity & Composition): "Explore the architecture of a quilt as a medium for identity. In this session, students will start with use the 9-patch grid and emplore thier creative authenticity to adapt it and compose a visual narrative, mixing traditional Yoruba motifs with solid textures. We’ll focus on the meditative 'running stitch' through multiple layers (top, batting, and backing), discussing how our personal stories are built on foundations of culture and resilience. It’s an exercise in patience, design, and cultural pride." For Enrichment Programs & Arts & Crafts Classes (The Meditative Stitch): "Step away from the fast-paced world and sink into the rhythmic art of hand-quilting. This workshop is a tactile retreat where you’ll work with hand-designed Adire textiles, learning the cultural meanings behind the patterns. As you stitch through the layers of batting and fabric, you’ll experience the 'zen' of the needle, creating a unique, textured piece that serves as a beautiful accent for your home and a record of your creative journey." For Professional Development (Stitching the Common Thread): "A transformative team-building experience that uses the metaphor of the 9-patch quilt to explore workplace connection. Participants will reflect on their individual 'squares' of expertise and how they layer together with others to form a supportive foundation (the backing) and a resilient core (the batting). This hand-stitching process fosters deep conversation, empathy, and a shared sense of accomplishment as we create a collective 'Tapestry of Genius.'" Cultural Significance & Artistic Unique Qualities The Power of the 9-Patch: This workshop uses the traditional 9-patch grid as a storytelling device—representing the balance between our individual paths and our communal history. Adire Symbolism: You’ll work with authentic, hand-designed fabrics featuring symbols like Ibadan dun (the sweetness of the journey) and Orokun aro (the strength of the dye-pot), learning to interpret these "unspoken patterns." Texture & Layering: Unlike simple sewing, quilting is about depth. We will explore how the "batting" provides a resilient heart to the piece, while the "backing" represents the support systems that hold our stories up. Color Experimentation: Participants have full autonomy to experiment with thread colors and fabric placement, using the "pauses and pulses" of their stitches to create a unique visual rhythm. Decorative Arts – A hand-quilted wall hanging, an accent textile, or a textured Throw Pillow Cover. All workshop fees include materials (hand-designed Adire fabric, cotton batting, backing fabric, embroidery threads, and needles).
 
Categories
Visual Arts (VA), ,
 


Additional Resources 
There are no evaluations available for this program.

Program Recommendations
Grades
9,10,11,12,Professional Development



See Video  
Arts Standards
1,2,3,4


Other Standards 



Curriculum Connections 
Arts: Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts , , ,



Culturally Responsive 
1,3



Cost 
Cost Single: 1500
Cost Multiple: 250/HR


Duration
180 minutes