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SWANA CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

 
Generative workshops for, by and with our community

Our lineup of this year's SWANA Creative Workshops is here! New Arab American Theater Works is excited to host nine talented SWANA women leading sessions on a range of artistic skills throughout 2025. ​​

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Tatreez Workshop #2: Learn Traditional Palestinian Embroidery

Saturday, April 26, 2PM - 4PM

Palestinian crosstitch embroidery, also known as Tatreez, is an art passed down through generations of Palestinians. This workshop will walk you through the basics of what tatreez is, resources to continue learning, the tools and basic skills needed to start. After a short presentation, we will work on a small project with the aim of finishing this during the workshop that you can take home and display proudly and share with the community.


Tatreez Workshop: Learn Traditional Palestinian Embroidery

Saturday, April 25, 10AM - 12PM — SOLD OUT

Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery, also known as Tatreez, is an art passed down through generations of Palestinians. Join us for an interactive workshop to learn Palestinian Tatreez, facilitated by Nuha Abdelrahim. 

Dear Diaspora: Creative Writing Via Letters

Saturday, May 24, 1- 3pm

To grow up in diaspora is to be in a constant state of being deprived the permission to confront, rage, and speak out directly to the voices who have most suppressed us. Diaspora leaves us unable to scream. And, diaspora often prompts us to personify the inanimate and abstract, to develop connections to symbols and objects and find home in them. Join us for a writing workshop on epistolary writing. We will explore the ways in which writing in letter form can foster a sense of reclamation, connection, and home. Open to BIPOC folks and those that identify with diasporic communities.

FORAGING STORIES THROUGH ROLLED GRAPE LEAVES

Saturday, June 21, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

People from differing SWANA communities will meet to share stories, customs and family experiences surrounding the art of foraging and food preparation. The group will prepare foraged wild grapeleaves in the classical Lebanese tradition, and share the finished dish together as a group in fellowship. Teaching the art of foraging and preparing grape leaves creates accessibility to those in the SWANA community to reclaim their lost traditions. Those who create traditional foods and tell the stories surrounding their importance, are vital artists and ambassadors of cultural continuity.

TRADITIONAL LEBANESE WOOD BURNING ART

Saturday, July 19, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Discover the art of pyrography in this hands-on workshop, where you will learn the ancient craft of wood burning. This class will introduce you to the basics of this traditional art form, which involves using a heated tool to etch patterns and designs onto wood. You’ll explore the history behind Lebanese wood burning art, often incorporating elements like Arabic calligraphy, natural motifs, and cultural symbols such as the Cedar of Lebanon, which reflect the rich heritage of the region. In this workshop, you'll gain insight into various wood types and tools and develop foundational skills to begin creating your own pyrography pieces. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, this class is designed to inspire creativity and help you connect with this timeless craft. By the end of the session, you’ll be ready to take home your very own wood-burned creation!

STORYTELLING THROUGH THEATER MOVEMENT

Saturday, August 16, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Explore movement for the stage in a fun and relaxed atmosphere! In this workshop we will use rhythm and movement to create characters and dynamic spaces on stage by bringing a simple story to life using the actor tools of body, voice and imagination.

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