Artivism Workshops
That's a wrap on Summer Youth Programs!!
Over the summer Mini Mart City Park hosted three multi-day workshops where students engaged in hands-on-learning from artists, scientists, and naturalists. Alongside teaching artists, youth learned indigo dying, book binding, botanical illustration, silicone mold making, and the historical, cultural, and ecological significance behind it all! This program provided 43 hrs of instruction to a wonderful group of young environmental stewards; take a look at all their exciting work as part of the Artivism Program.
We have more Artivism workshops coming this fall and into next year. If you know any young people that would benefit from participating in paid programming like this email us at info@minimartcitypark.com.
More details soon!
Indigo Spell
Taught by Sulai Lopez
July 21 – 24, 2026
During this four day workshop, youth learned the historical and cultural significance of indigo dying, knowledge and experience working with many naturally derived dyes with a focus on indigo, and participated in Sulai’s ongoing environmental activism project! In this 4-day program, students were asked to create an indigo dyed flag with an affirmation for how they want to see change in the world. Sulai adds these to their collection of community flags. The students created thoughtful works of art influenced by the long traditions of indigo dying and engaged in thoughtful conversations around community value and the ever pressing questions regarding how to be the change they want to see in the world.
Books + Flowers
Taught by Naomi Kasumi, Maxx Follis-Goodkind, Amaranta Sandys, and Leah Mann
July 27 – 31, 2026
In this 5-day series, youth learned the process of bookbinding, native plant identification, and so much more!
Local artist and educator, Naomi Kasumi led a bookbinding workshop where the students created their very own 40 page, softcover journals to use in the following days. They took their new journals out into nature where Maxx Follis-Goodkind introduced plant identification and illustration. They then spent the day with Amaranta Sandys learning the historical and cultural significance of the Marigold flower through illustrations and watercolor. Naturalist Nicolasa Hernandez from the City of Seattle also joined us during Amaranta’s lesson. She helped the students study marigold seeds and flowers under a microscope, discuss how flowers communicate with insects through their scents and patterns, and even sample some marigold tea! On the last day, Leah Mann taught two traditional Japanese art forms: Tatakizome (hammered dye) which transfers the pigment of leaves and flowers to paper or cloth with hammering process; and Chigiri-e (torn paper collage) with dried flowers to create works alongside an introduction into somatic breath work.
Tree Sculpting
Taught by Erinn Kathryn and Taha Ebrahimi
August 10 – 14, 2026
During this 5-day workshop, students worked alongside artist Erinn Kathryn to learn the step-by-step process of making and casting molds. Molds were taken from the bark of century old Italian Oak trees that line a neighboring street and cast using handmade paper pulp. To supplement this experience and connect youth more deeply to our neighborhood trees, students embarked on a nature walk with Taha Ebrahimi where she used trees as guides to learn about the history of Georgetown, and the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of our neighboring trees.
