Floral Hammer Art (October 2023)

We have a treat for you – specifically, for your kids. It involves smashing stuff. With rocks. Or hammers. Or rolling pins. It's really fun – and, maybe somewhat unexpectedly - yields beautiful results.

“Flower pounding” or “floral hammering” is a straightforward approach to environmentally friendly art that even relatively young kids can master. This is the perfect time of year to try it out; collect a selection of the abundance of flowers around, and let us show you some methods of preserving a snapshot of early spring colours on paper or fabric.

The pigments in the plants are vibrant and create stunning collages. In a little under an hour, the kids can create more than one environmentally friendly gift, card or piece of art to take home. And once they know how to do it, nothing will stop them from recreating the process at home with materials you already have on hand.

It’s part craft, part stress management :)

Please note: the majority of natural pigments do not make suitable dyes. They may fade when exposed to light; they may change colour upon being exposed to the air by the action of the pounding - and most of them will wash out. Heat setting might increase the lifespan of your work in the air, but it will not make it washable. Also, this workshop is not for the noise sensitive amongst us.

Limited to 12 participants. Bookings are essential. Bookings close Friday, 13th October at 2pm.

This workshop is weather-dependent and will take place in front of the Riverside Community Cultural Center. 

This workshop is proudly sponsored by the Riverside Community Trust. Please contact Tanja (at education@riverside.org.nz) for workshop questions or to ask about sponsorship options.