Turn a light-colored tote into a wearable keepsake at a free, hands-on lino printing workshop in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Led by park educators at the Environmental Education Center, this 1.5-hour class teaches carving and fabric printing—no experience required.
Turn a light-colored tote into a wearable keepsake at a free, hands-on lino printing workshop in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Led by park educators at the Environmental Education Center, this 1.5-hour class teaches carving and fabric printing—no experience required.
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Operated by Brooklyn Bridge Park · Brooklyn, New York
At the edge of the East River in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a compact afternoon workshop transforms reclaimed industrial pier air into a working print studio. Art Under the Bridge: Rubber Stamp It! Low-Relief Lino Printing meets at the Environmental Education Center at 99 Plymouth St, Brooklyn NY, where educators guide beginners through carving a low-relief linoleum block and pulling bold prints onto fabric. The setting is unmistakably urban—views of the Manhattan skyline and the undersides of ferrying bridges leak light through classroom windows—so the resulting image feels like a handmade souvenir of a city waterfront.
The session lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes and is suitable for ages 13 and up. Participants learn how to design a simple motif, transfer it to stamp material, and use lino cutters safely (note: sharp tools require signed waivers). Instructors demonstrate carving techniques, ink mixing, and printing on fabric ink. All materials are provided and the workshop is free; you’re encouraged to bring a light-colored tote, T-shirt, or cloth item to print on. There are 25 spots available each session on a first-come, first-served basis, though advanced registration is encouraged when offered.
What makes this class special is how it connects hands-on craft to place. Brooklyn Bridge Park repurposes former shipping piers and shoreline space, and the Environmental Education Center sits within sight of piers, salt-tolerant grasses, and the bridge itself—so students often pull stamps that riff on bridges, boats, pigeons, and rippling water. The workshop is run by park educators, making it a small, community-centered offering rather than a tourist commodity. Practical details are visitor-friendly: the building is fully accessible, seating is on stools, and staff note there will be muted train noise from above.
Safety and logistics are straightforward: sign the waiver, wear clothing you don’t mind getting ink on, and bring only light-colored fabric for best contrast with the provided black ink. If you need accessibility accommodations, contact [email protected] ahead of time. For visitors, combine the class with a walk along the waterfront, a picnic at the piers, or photos of the bridge at sunset. It’s a low-cost, high-skill way to leave Brooklyn Bridge Park not just with a memory, but with an object you made yourself—a small, wearable keepsake that carries the texture of the river and the edge of the city.
Because the workshop is free and compact, it’s ideal for travelers with limited time who want a hands-on local experience. Bring an extra tote to gift, ask instructors about replicating techniques at home, and plan to arrive early to secure one of the 25 seats. Keep a small towel or wet wipes in your bag for ink cleanup—prints dry quickly but hands may be inky for a bit.
easy.
1–1.5 hours.
Minimal physical exertion; you should be able to sit on stools and use hand tools for short periods.
Yes, the workshop is listed as free; materials are provided but bringing your own light-colored item is encouraged.
No previous experience is required—educators teach carving and printing basics for beginners.
Yes—bring light-colored items such as tote bags or T-shirts; dark fabrics won’t show the provided black ink well.
The workshop is best suited for ages 13 and up due to the use of sharp cutting tools and required waivers.
Yes, the building at 99 Plymouth St is fully accessible; contact [email protected] for specific accommodations.
Each session has 25 spots available and operates on a first-come, first-served basis; advanced registration is encouraged when available.
The park reclaims historic shipping piers and shoreline once used for industrial shipping; those piers now host recreation and education spaces.
Brooklyn Bridge Park emphasizes shoreline restoration—avoid trampling salt-tolerant plantings and dispose of inks and wipes in provided receptacles.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a waterfront public park in Brooklyn, New York that programs fitness, environmental education, arts, and community events along the East River. The park hosts partner-led fitness classes including Zumba with Dodge YMCA, Pilates with Dodge YMCA, Amp'd with Chelsea Piers Fitness, and Sunset Yoga with Abhaya Yoga. These outdoor classes accommodate a range of abilities and typically ask participants to bring a mat when noted. Educational programs and school field trips are a core offering. Hands-on lessons include Go Fish! Seining the East River (Gr. 9-12), The Awesome Oyster (Gr. 1-8), Plankton and Plastics (Gr. 4-12), Habitats and their Inhabitants (PreK-5), Between the Tides (Gr. 1-4), Everything Rocks! (Gr. 2-4), Water Flows: Embracing Climate Solutions for our City (Gr. 5-12), and seasonal offerings such as Trees of Brooklyn Bridge Park (PreK-3). Several programs run on a waitlist and advance registration is required for select tours. Public engagement events include Community Science Fishing Clinic, Youth Soccer League registration, Waterfront Walks, Kinfolk Tech: Dreaming with the Archives Tour, Art Under the Bridge, and bilingual family bird walks. Docent-led walks start at Jane's Carousel for certain tours and explore the park’s design, ecology, and history. Brooklyn Bridge Park partners with organizations such as the Dodge YMCA and Chelsea Piers Fitness, and relies on trained docents and expert anglers to lead activities. Many events are free; equipment or space may be limited, with registration and waitlists used when necessary. Schedules, locations, and registration details are posted on the park website.
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