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Turn a Gulf Coast afternoon into a handcrafted keepsake. Join artist Ava Yellot in Lake Charles for a two-hour greeting card workshop where local flora and coastal textures become tactile spring gifts. Perfect for beginners and travelers.
Turn a Gulf Coast afternoon into a handcrafted keepsake. Join artist Ava Yellot in Lake Charles for a two-hour greeting card workshop where local flora and coastal textures become tactile spring gifts. Perfect for beginners and travelers.
Book with Imperial Calcasieu Museum
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Imperial Calcasieu Museum · Lake Charles, Louisiana
Spring arrives along the Gulf Coast, and in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a two-hour workshop invites makers to translate shoreline moments into paper artifacts. Greeting Card Workshop is a hands-on class led by artist Ava Yellot where participants layer delicate papers, press nature-inspired elements, and shape thoughtful text into one-of-a-kind spring cards. The session takes place in Lake Charles, offering a close-up lesson in texture, color, and composition that echoes the region’s marsh grasses, oyster-shell palettes, and bright garden blooms.
Ava starts with a short demonstration of collage and paper-pressing techniques, then guides each guest through selecting base stocks, arranging pressed botanical accents, and applying hand-lettered sentiments. Materials emphasize tactile variety: mulberry and deckle-edged papers, translucent vellum, and cotton threads. The workshop accommodates makers age 10 and up and keeps groups small—maximum 12—so you get focused feedback and time to customize a set of cards to gift or keep.
What makes this workshop special for visitors is how it draws inspiration from the landscape around Lake Charles. You’ll learn to capture coastal color and bayou-influenced motifs—not by recreating the environment but by translating its textures into paper, whether that’s the fibrous streak of Spanish moss or the pale sheen of oyster shell. For travelers seeking a low-impact, creative way to engage with local culture, this session offers both craft skills and a tactile souvenir you’ll actually use.
Practical details are simple: the class runs two hours and is suitable for beginners; bring any personal ephemera you’d like to incorporate, like ticket stubs or small pressed leaves. Because supplies are constrained, expect to leave with several finished cards and a handful of ideas to develop at home. The relaxed pace also makes this a good option for families traveling with older children or for a quiet afternoon between outdoor excursions such as a drive on the Creole Nature Trail or a visit to Sam Houston Jones State Park.
Beyond technique, Ava encourages sustainable choices—reusing scraps, choosing plant-based adhesives, and considering local materials—so your creations reflect the region’s commitment to craft and conservation. Whether you’re gifting a note to a friend or keeping an original memento, this workshop translates a Gulf Coast afternoon into paper that carries place and memory.
Spring Impressions with Ava Yellot, offered as a class (for example the March 26, 4:00–6:00 PM session), fits neatly into an active Lake Charles itinerary. After a morning on the water or a hike through marsh trails, the workshop provides a calm, creative hour where visitors can translate what they saw into cards—pressing a patch of marsh grass or sketching a shell silhouette. Small-group instruction makes it easy to ask questions about materials and technique, and finished cards double as lightweight, carry-on-friendly souvenirs.
easy.
2 hours.
Minimal physical exertion; fine motor skills and comfortable seated posture for two hours are sufficient.
The class runs approximately two hours (the listed session runs 4:00–6:00 PM for the March 26 offering).
Participants should be at least 10 years old; younger children may need close supervision for fine tasks.
No. The workshop is beginner-friendly and the instructor guides every step from paper selection to lettering.
Basic materials are supplied, though bringing small personal ephemera or found botanicals is encouraged.
Group-size is capped at 12; contact the booker via the referral link to inquire about private sessions or special requests.
The workshop is in Lake Charles; local parking is typically available nearby—check event details at booking for exact meeting-point and parking notes.
Lake Charles sits on the edge of Calcasieu Parish and is a regional center for Cajun and Creole arts; local craft traditions influence many community workshops.
The workshop emphasizes reusing scraps and plant-based supplies; participants are encouraged to collect responsibly and avoid protected plants.
Imperial Calcasieu Museum, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a nonprofit cultural institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and creative traditions of Southwest Louisiana. The museum presents rotating exhibits, community programs, and special events that highlight local heritage and visual arts. Programming ranges from family-focused experiences to seasonal public events staged under the museum’s historic Sallier Oak, a landmark setting that connects visitors with regional stories. The museum’s events include signature experiences such as Lighting of the Oak: SPIRITS, held on October 23. That evening combines storytelling by local historian Adley Cormier, immersive performances by roaming interpreters, and support for the museum’s nonprofit mission. Another public offering is the Kidz Birthday Party program, which provides a guided painting session, a curated museum tour, and free playtime, with cleanup handled by staff to simplify planning for families. These programs are designed to engage children and adults with hands-on art-making and local history. Imperial Calcasieu Museum partners with regional artists, historians, and community organizations to maintain programming that is both educational and welcoming. The museum’s nonprofit status and reliance on community support underscore a commitment to access and preservation. Visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences in Lake Charles will find museum events that prioritize storytelling, creative participation, and the unique traditions of Southwest Louisiana. As a civic resource in Lake Charles, the museum maintains regular hours, hosts community-driven exhibitions, and documents regional stories through collections, educational outreach, and event programming that reflect local identity and support cultural tourism in Southwest Louisiana.
Book with Imperial Calcasieu Museum