
Workshops & Events
Sandy exhibits locally in the tristate area and around the country. She is available to teach classes/workshops to individuals and small groups in a variety of surface design, Shibori and encaustic techniques. Contact Sandy to schedule a class today.
Check out upcoming classes and exhibits below:

Easy Indigo-Dyed Shibori at Quilt Surface Design Symposium
More information coming for 2024 workshops: Quilt Surface Design Symposium

Indigo-Dyed Shibori at Quilt Surface Design Symposium
More information coming for 2024 workshops: Quilt Surface Design Symposium

Surface Design at Praxis
Experience the joy of creating your own cloth! Join like-minded students to explore the many ways of using Procion MX dye processes on cotton and silk, including: free-style direct painting with dye, monoprinting, low water immersion, batik with soy wax and color removal/discharge processes and experimental clamping and screenprinting techniques. Each class builds on the day before to create a sampler of surface design techniques. Class discussion will include how to use the fabric created and to build small compositions.
Surface Design 2-day Workshop
Saturday & Sunday, October 21 & 22, 2023 10:00-4:00
To Register: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com
Lecture: Western Reserve Spinners and Weavers
Lecture: Western Reserve Spinners and Weavers
September 26, 2023 Lake Farmpark, Kirkland, OH
Shibori + Indigo at Praxis
Shibori is an ancient technique that is used to create patterning on cloth. You will learn how to create patterns on fabric, which will then be dyed in an Indigo vat, creating the traditional magical blue coloring. Shibori is a Japanese word used to describe a variety of manual resist techniques such as binding, twisting, or clamping that create a variety of patterns. Techniques covered are Arashi Shibori, which is a wrapping technique using a cylinder or rope, and Itijime Shibori, clamping and binding. Learn the traditional methods of Shibori, then create your own patterns.
To Register: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com
Classes at Chatauqua Institute
Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY
August 21-25, 2023
Special Studies, Summer 2023
Sandy will be teaching Easy Shibori (1 day), Batik with Soy Wax (2 days), and Stitched Shibori (2 days).
Registration coming soon: Chautauqua Institution (chq.org)

Shibori + Color at Praxis
Experience the joy of creating your own fabric! In this class we will experiment with Shibori techniques using MX dyes. We will do low water immersion, direct application and other methods of dye application in combination with Arashi (pole wrapping) and Itijimi (clamping with shapes). This will be an experimental and fun class where you will go home with fabric uniquely yours! Bring your sense of adventure as we explore new ideas!
To Register: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com
African Batik at Ashtabula Arts Center
June 21 & 22 6-9pm
Registration & more information coming: Ashtabula Arts Center

Stitched Shibori at Great Lakes Fiber Festival
Shibori is an ancient technique using various methods of resist to create patterns on cloth. In stitched shibori, a simple running stitch can be used to achieve a variety of complex looking designs. The hand stitching is then gathered, and the piece is dyed in Indigo. This class will teach you how to stitch, gather and dye the cloth. You will go home with your own hand stitched and lovely dyed cloth.
CLASS FULL
Check out more information about the Great Lakes Fiber Festival.

Multi-Color Batik with Soy Wax
Explore using soy wax as a resist on fabric to create a sophisticated look of multi-dimensional layering in easy to do steps. You will work with fabric dyes to create a rich color palette. We will discuss the layering of colors. You will dye paint on the cloth before using a wax resist. We will use found objects as well as traditional tjaps (copper blocks) for stamping into the cloth using soy wax. Then another layer of dye will be applied. I will demonstrate methods of wax removal, which is an easier process and less toxic than paraffin or bee’s wax. Participants will leave with their own uniquely dyed and patterned cloth.
Great Lakes Fiber Festival, Wayne County Fairgrounds, Wooster, OH 44691

Interwoven Friends and Family Workshop with Sandy Shelenberger
Textile artist Sandy Shelenberger investigates the interplay between stitching, fiber, and encaustics to challenge boundaries within the fiber arts landscape. In this interactive workshop participants will create their own collages with encaustic medium—a mixture of beeswax and damar resin. All materials will be provided. Space is limited.
Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery 77 South High Street First Floor Lobby Columbus, OH 43215

Interwoven: The Many Voices of Fiber
Interwoven: The Many Voices of Fiber, curated by Tracy Reiger at Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery www.OAC.OHIO.GOV 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 644-9624
Sandy has four pieces of work in this exhibition and her piece, Dazzle, is featured on the gallery promotion.
For more information: https://oac.ohio.gov/Riffe-Gallery/On-View

ARTIST TALK WITH SANDY SHELENBERGER
Hear from the artist as she discusses her journey, inspirations, and creative process.
Image credit: Sandy Shelenberger, "Shifting Sands, Sapphire Skies"
Click on picture for link to recording.

Experimental Screenprinting
Join us for an exploratory dive into screen printing! You don’t need chemicals and an exposure table to learn this exciting process. Begin by learning to mix dyes with sodium alginate to create a thickened mixture perfect for passing through a screen. By drawing and cutting stencils and applying wax directly to the screen you can create intricate repeat patterns on fabric. Pair these techniques with subtle first layers, you will have a complex, multi layered fabric perfect for any project you choose!

ARTIST TALK WITH SANDY SHELENBERGER
Hear from the artist as she virtually discusses her journey, inspirations, and creative process. Image credit: Sandy Shelenberger, "Shifting Sands, Sapphire Skies"
Shibori and Stitched Techniques for Indigo Dyeing
Dates: September 1 & 2, 2021 9:00-4:00
Location: Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH

Subtract and Add: Discharge and Overdye
Location: Praxis Fiber Workshop, 15301 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH
This workshop focuses on discharge techniques using Thiox. We will start with black fabric and learn methods of clamping and binding the cloth and then discharge to create unique patterning. After fabric is discharged, you may choose to overdye in indigo or Procion MX dyes. All materials included, beginners welcome.
To register go to: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com
Stitched Shibori
Location: Praxis Fiber Workshop, 15301 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH
Discover the ancient practice of Shibori using natural and synthetic indigo. Shibori is an ancient Japanese technique to bind, tie and stitch fabric to create different resisted marks and patterns. This workshop focuses on stitch resist and patterns. All materials included, beginners welcome.To register go to: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com

Surface Design Sampler
Dates: Thursdays, June 3,10,17 & 24, 2021 6:00-9:00
Location: Praxis Fiber Workshop, 15301 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH
In this 4-week class, we will start with dye painting and low immersion dyeing techniques to create a base upon which to add new skills. Each week, a new process will be introduced for you to build your own repertoire! Techniques include: low immersion dyeing, dye painting, monoprinting, batik with soy wax, and screenprinting techniques. You will create your own unique complex cloth with layered processes. All levels.
To register go to: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com

Quilt National ‘21
Sandy’s work Shifting Sands, Sapphire Skies will be featured at Quilt National 2021.
Located at The Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens, OH 45701
View more information here: www.dairybarn.org

Easy Shibori Techniques
Location: Ashtabula Arts Center
Shibori is an ancient Japanese technique to bind, tie and stitch fabric to create different resisted marks and patterns. This workshop focuses on stitch resist and patterns. All materials included, beginners welcome. To Register: ashtabulaartscenter.org

Best of Ohio 2020 - 2021
Sandy has fiberart piece “Inferno” accepted into this juried show.
This work can be viewed at the Ohio Craft Museum from May 10- July 11, 2021. For more info, visit: www.ohiocraft.org
Best of Ohio 2020-21 then travels to: Mansfield Art Center from August 15-September 12, 2021. FOr more info, visit: www.mansfieldartcenter.org

Experimental Screen Printing with Sandy Shelenberger
Location: Praxis Fiber Workshop, 15301 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH
Experimental Screen Printing is a combination of traditional screen printing, painting and fabric surface design. Manipulate your imagery with stencils and resists directly on the screen. Experiment with layering and mixing thickened dye. This process is full of the unknown! Experienced artists and beginners will both walk away with new knowledge and lots of results.
To register go to: www.praxisfiberworkshop.com