Jovencio de la Paz to Bring Batiking to Saugatuck Center for the Arts This Summer

Saugatuck Center for the Arts (400 Culver Street) is bringing the exotic Southeast Asian textile dying technique of batiking -- using indigo -- to the summer program lineup with the help of Chicago-based artist, Jovencio de la Paz.

De la Paz will teach two summer classes at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) on August 24th. The first is a children's workshop from 10:00AM to 12:00PM called "Feeling Blue with Jovencio," during which students age five and up will be learn how to batik textiles using indigo dye. Later that evening from 7:00PM to 8:00PM, de la Paz will share his story as an artist and his creative process via a "Creativity Revealed" program. To reserve for the class or the lecture, visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

"Jovencio's camp is our grand finale of children's summer programming," said Exhibitions and Education Manager Whitney Valentine. "We've been anticipating his unique programs -- it's exciting to share his talent and creative process with our community."

De la Paz is an artist, writer, and teacher working in the Department of Fiber and Material Studies at the School of Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). De la Paz is currently teaching at the SAIC's affiliate residency program, Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists' Residency in Saugatuck.

"I'm excited to teach community members, especially the kids, about batik, indigo, and to get messy in the studio," said de la Paz. "It is important to me personally to get to share my work with a new audience, but also important to the community to get an opportunity to see works from out of town they might otherwise not get to see."

Class registration and information can be found at sc4a.org or by calling 269-857-2399. The children's class, "Feeling Blue with Jovencio" costs $10.00, and the adult lecture, "Creativity Revealed," is free with mandatory reservation.

The SCA/Ox-Bow Community Fellow program is underwritten by Penny & Jamie Ladd. Kathleen Markland is sponsoring our summer exhibition of artwork by SCA/Ox-Bow Community Fellows.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more vibrant lakeshore community in West Michigan and beyond. For more information about the SCA and upcoming events, visit www.sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.