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Turn a potato masher, an egg carton and an 8x10 gel plate into striking monochrome prints at this hands-on class in Midland. Join Julie Welsh for three hours of tactile experimentation and leave with original paper and repeatable techniques.
Turn a potato masher, an egg carton and an 8x10 gel plate into striking monochrome prints at this hands-on class in Midland. Join Julie Welsh for three hours of tactile experimentation and leave with original paper and repeatable techniques.
Book with Creative 360
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Operated by Creative 360 · Midland, Michigan
On a Saturday afternoon in Midland, Michigan, the studio at 5501 Jefferson Ave becomes a laboratory for printmaking mischief. GEL PRINTS · Everything But the Kitchen Sink! is a three-hour hands-on workshop that teaches how to coax striking monochrome images from a silicone gel plate using everyday objects—potato mashers, aluminum foil, egg cartons and recycled packaging—along with traditional tools like brayers and paper. Taught by Julie Welsh (contact: [email protected]), the class is open to anyone 15 and up and holds twenty students, making it intimate enough for personal instruction and lively enough for group experimentation.
The session moves quickly from a basics review to "taking the pull" as participants lay down paint and begin to build texture. Organizers supply an 8x10 gel plate, paints, brayers, papers, aprons and basic tools, and there is a $10 materials fee; students are invited to bring favorite acrylic colors, rubber or foam stamps and stencils to personalize results. Simple household items become relief stamps and masking elements, so the class doubles as a lesson in seeing common materials with creative intent. A handout and suggested supply list are provided during registration.
What makes this workshop a standout in the Midland recreation scene is its blend of low-barrier access and craft ingenuity. It doesn’t require previous studio experience but rewards curiosity: beginners leave with a stash of unique papers and repeatable techniques, while experienced gel printers find fresh prompts for texture and line. The workshop’s emphasis on upcycling — encouraging clean recycled papers and packaging as materials — connects artmaking to local sustainability values without preaching.
Practical details matter: this is a messy print process, so wear clothes you can clean. The class runs Sat. March 7 from 1:00–4:00 PM and costs $50 plus the materials fee; pre-registration is required by March 5. With hands-on guidance and only minor physical demands, it’s a restorative creative afternoon rather than a fitness test.
Beyond the classroom, the practice rewards slow observation; the smallest torn edge or the rib of a recycled container can become a repeating motif. For travelers passing through Midland, this workshop offers an immediately tangible souvenir: original paper you produced yourself. Whether you want to learn a new studio trick or spend an afternoon making tactile keepsakes, Julie Welsh’s gel printing class at 5501 Jefferson Ave is a direct, playful invitation to make art from the everyday. Visitors staying in town can treat the workshop as an afternoon stop between local walks and meals; arrive ten minutes early to sign in, claim a workspace and sift through shared scrap materials. The instructor’s handout and email contact mean you can continue projects at home, making this class both an experienced refresher and a course today.
easy.
3 hours.
Minimal physical exertion; standing and light reaching at a table are required.
Minimum age is 15; participants under 18 may require a guardian depending on venue rules.
Basic supplies — an 8x10 gel plate, paint, brayer, paper, tools and aprons — are provided; there is a $10 materials fee.
Preregistration is required by March 5 for the Sat. March 7 class; follow the referral booking link to reserve a seat.
Wear clothes you can clean; aprons are provided but bring your own if preferred.
Yes. The instructor reviews basics and guides each student through pulling prints; experienced printers will also find advanced tips.
Contact Julie Welsh at [email protected] for specific questions about supplies or technique.
Midland has an active community of hands-on craft workshops and studio classes that support local makers and creative learners.
The class promotes upcycling by encouraging clean recycled papers and packaging as artistic materials to reduce waste.
Creative 360 is a community-centered arts organization based in Midland, Michigan, offering a broad calendar of performances, classes, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Dedicated to accessible arts education, Creative 360 runs inclusive semesters such as Artshop Clay and Artshop Painting Explorations that welcome participants of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities. Small class sizes—typically limited to eight students for specialized hands-on art sessions—ensure personalized attention and skill development. Creative 360 presents recurring public performances including the free Sound Community Music Series held every second Wednesday, featuring classical and jazz artists like Trio Rubaton and electro-acoustic sets. The venue hosts visiting artists and special concerts such as the June performance by Michigan native Sarah Bomber. Seasonal programming includes a Summer Theatre Intensive for ages 11–17 where students audition, rehearse, and perform under a professional director, and short-term workshops like Sewing for Everyone focused on upcycling and practical skills. Community engagement is central to Creative 360’s mission: the organization operates volunteer programs that allow community members to support events and enjoy performances, and coordinates special events such as the inaugural Holiday Art Fair during Midland’s Holiday Arts Weekend. Additional offerings like Tai Chi 360 provide wellness-focused movement classes suitable for all levels. Creative 360 partners with local artists and instructors to maintain a varied, community-rooted schedule of arts experiences in Midland.
Book with Creative 360