Shake It Up! - Rattle Making Workshop
Instructor: Barbara Odil
Date(s): 06/06/26 and 06/07/26, Saturday & Sunday (2 days)
Times: 10am-3:30pm (with lunch break)
Length: 2 day workshop
Level: All
Age: 11+
Class Fee:
- Members: $125
- Non-members: $150
- Materials Fee: $20
Location: OCAF School Street Studios Upper Classroom
Class Description:
We invite you to join us in a two-day workshop to create a gourd rattles. Rattles date back 4,500 years and were used by indigenous cultures for ceremonies and percussion. They continue to be used today as rhythmic instruments, to soothe young children, in ceremonies, and energy work. Rattling, like drumming, activates the Theta Waves of the brain, shifting consciousness and perceptions.
We will be creating our rattles from gourds grown in east central Georgia and locally sourced sticks. Before we began working with these natural materials, we will drop into the creative process through rattling. Then we will select our materials and begin the making of the rattles.
The rattles can be embellished by wood burning, beading, painting, and adding feathers. Finally, you can choose the sound you want for your rattle by trying out seeds, dried peas, rocks, sand, and other non-breakable materials.They will be sealed inside the gourds.
Throughout the workshop, we will discuss the various uses of the rattles. Once the rattles are complete, we will take our rattles for a shake.
About the instructor: Barbara Odil
Barbara Odil is an award winning sculptor that works with found fallen wood and other natural materials. For the past 25 years she has taught creative workshops in North Georgia.She has also taught at art teacher conferences in Tennessee. Her work has been exhibited in museums and featured in magazines.