Coralee: Mermaid of Chatsworth, 2022, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, England 

On Saturday, June 17th, Dana Albany, our featured Burning Man artist, and Dave X, the manager of the fire art safety team for Burning Man will lead a discussion about the process of creative collaboration. After their presentation, Dana will teach participants to use the plasma cutter, welder, and other metal working tools. We will practice our new skills embellishing steel fire pits, which we’ll put straight to use as we gather around a group campfire for storytelling and engaged discussion at the end of our first day.

On Sunday, June 18th, we will continue teaching and practicing tool skills and collaborative design as we create and attach steel adornments to our group project, culminating in an amazing sculpture we can all stand back and be proud of. When the weekend is over, participants will be snapping photos to show their family and friends, saying, “I helped to create that”, “I welded that section” and hopefully they will have awakened their curiosity to learn, create, recycle, and collaborate more.

Email joy@driftlesscuriosity.org if you have questions about this program.

THE MONUMENTAL MAMMOTH, 2019

Interwoven motifs of this educational and artistic weekend event will include:

• A focus on recycling and repurposing metal, especially for creating art.

• An ongoing discussion surrounding the act of recycling metal (primarily fashioned by and for men in agriculture) and transforming it into the likeness of a woman in agriculture. This may include conversations about agricultural history, concepts of masculine and feminine relationships with land, ecofeminism, highlighting examples of regenerative agriculture and reduced tillage on Keewaydin Farms, re-envisioning our relationship with land, and other topics which will arise organically.

• Inclusivity of all genders with a distinct focus on fostering a safe and welcoming environment for those who identify as women to practice collaborative design and new tool skills (mig welder, plasma cutter, chop saw, grinder, drill press, etc.)

• Instruction and facilitation will be women-led with particular care given to helping participants safely learn a new skill. We would also like to raise funds to provide scholarships for a number of women to attend at no cost.

Passage, 2018, Photo Credit: Allen J. Mort

• Limit 35 – Cost $375

• Camping is included. Please bring your own camping equipment. 

• The property can accommodate a few RVs or campers (first come, first serve) but mostly offers tent spaces.

• Meals can be purchased separately through the farm caterer or participants can opt to bring their own food. More info on catering coming soon.

• No dogs please.

• Porta potties, handwashing stations, outdoor shower, drinking water, and firewood available on site (free).

• Responsible campfires are allowed and many sites have fire rings.

• All participants are required to sign the Driftless Curiosity waiver.