Small group classes and workshops in traditional Aboriginal Arts, led by Denise Miller, are now being offered at the store. Because class sizes are limited we will accept registrations in advance and begin the class as soon as we have enough participants. Bring three friends and a class will be created for your group!
Working with Rawhide courses vary in length and in what you will produce. These courses all include the materials and instructions to produce the class item, as listed below. The classes DO NOT include drawing instructions for the design to paint your drum, rattle or ornament, but Northwest Coast (NWC) Native design drawing is offered as a separate course. Beadwork classes include design assistance but materials are purchased separately.
Drum Making
The cost of making a drum is $350 from start to finish, and includes all the materials and instructions to make a 15 inch deer hide drum, make a beater and paint your drum if you wish. There is no deduction if you decide not to paint it – the painting is a bonus! You may use a design by Denise Miller to transfer onto your drum or draw your own original design.
Rattle Making
The cost of the rattle-making workshop is $100 from start to finish, including materials, instruction and painting two rawhide rattles. You may use one of Denise’s designs and transfer it on or create your own original design.
Rawhide Mini Drum
Ornament, Car-window Hanger or Necklace
This workshop includes the materials and instructions to make three mini drums (2 3/4 inch diameter) and the materials to paint them. The cost is $100. You may use a Denise Miller design transfer or create your own original design.
Working with Rawhide Workshop Package
You can make a drum, a rattle, a rawhide window hanger/ornament and a rawhide necklace all for $400 total for instructions, materials, design for painting and paints.
Loomed Beadwork
Six classes of two hours each are offered for $200. Looms, beads, needles and thread will be included, with extra available for purchase. Denise will help you create your personal custom beadwork pattern and teach the entire beading process from choosing materials to finishing your piece. Extra classes after the initial six are available at $25 each.
Drawing/Painting
Step by step instructions on drawing NWC designs such as raven, eagle, salmon, wolf, whale etc. Specific requests will be accommodated if they are planned ahead of time. Contact Denise by phone or email to discuss your interest.
Denise Miller, Instructor
Denise gained seventeen years of valuable and very enjoyable experience while teaching classes for youth when she was employed as an Aboriginal Education Worker for School District No. 57 in Prince George and area. Programs she served included alternative programs for youth-at-risk in the open community and confined/institutional care and workshops for school district staff and out of district people, hosted by District 57.
The First Nations Department at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) also hired Denise to teach drum making for their department to both students and elders.
Denise is happy to teach private lessons one-on-one or small groups up to four in her Parksville shop. Larger groups are possible if you hire her to come to your community to provide workshops.
Just fill in the form to the left if you would like to sign up or ask any questions about Aboriginal Arts workshops and classes with Denise Miller.