Claudy Jongstra Studio
Masterclass for change. Art and ecology
Spinning, weaving, felting (Spinning, weaving, felting)
Almodí, 8th April – from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 11:30 to 13:30
As part of the events complementing the Claudy Jongstra exhibition at the Almudín in Valencia, organised by the Department of Cultural Action, Heritage and Cultural Resources, in collaboration with Claudy Jongstra Studio and LOADS, the Consulate of the Netherlands and the Villa del Arte gallery, two masterclasses will be held on 8 April, open to the public who wish to learn more about the work and philosophy of the Dutch designer and her studio.
Context
Claudy Jongstra Studio is a community of resident artists, scholars, farmers, researchers and students from all over the world, based in Friesland, the Netherlands. Their work is rooted in a deep connection with nature and an artistic practice committed to sustainability. The entire creative process starts with a regenerative raw material: the wool of Drenthe Heath sheep, raised on her own biodynamic farm in Friesland. The fibres are dyed with vegetable pigments grown in the same environment, using ancestral techniques that reclaim historical species such as blonde or gualda. This approach eliminates dependence on industrial chemicals and preserves traditional knowledge linked to colour and textiles.
Beyond the artistic object, the studio works to preserve and activate natural and cultural heritage, seeking to re-establish links between visual beauty, material quality and ecological vitality. The works, conceived from this philosophy, inhabit public and private spaces around the world, as manifestations of a vision that unites art, landscape and commitment to the environment.
Masterclasses
Pedagogy is a fundamental pillar of the project. Teaching traditional techniques such as spinning, weaving and felting ensures that this knowledge is kept alive and preserved for the future.
With this philosophy in mind, two workshops are being organised in the Almudín itself, given by Claudy Jongstra. They will take place on the morning of 8 April, from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 11:30 to 13:30.
In the words of the artist, ‘this experience is much more than a workshop: it is an invitation to act. We have the capacity to challenge harmful industrial practices and to bring about real change. Together, we can build a future where craft, art and sustainability go hand in hand, and where new generations feel empowered to imagine and materialise a fairer and more balanced world.
To weave your own yarn is an act of independence and connection; it is to create something of your own that, at the same time, is part of a larger whole. To weave is not just to knit: it is to open doors to new possibilities. Each of these processes embodies the necessary change that we need to undertake.
Booking
Both workshops are in English.
Bookings can be made from Tuesday, 1st April, by calling the Almudín telephone number: 96.208.45.21.
Only a maximum of 2 places per person can be booked. Attendance is free of charge.
Bookings will be made on a first come, first served basis.
The holding of these two workshops is an exceptional opportunity. Therefore, booking is a commitment to attend the assigned workshop. If you are not sure of your attendance, please give others the opportunity to attend.