Sheba and LaKeisha will showcase their creative process, from inception to production in these short how-to workshops. Tune in and get inspired to liven up your home and your wardrobe!

View flyer here.

Poppin’ Patterns with Purpose

Participants of all ages will view traditional examples of brightly colored patterns found in jewelry and textile adornment from across Africa such as Kente from Ghana, and bead weaving of the Zulu in South Africa, but with a particular focus on the Maasai people of East Africa who create stunning jewelry featuring large widths of tiny glass beads on wire formed into collar necklaces and cuff bracelets. Each piece of jewelry displayed will have basic shapes of triangles, rectangles, squares and circles that together create beautiful patterns. The colors of the patterns used by the Maasai each have meaning, historically associated with cattle and nature, and these meanings will be displayed in bold lettering for participants to see and glean from.  Different styles of jewelry are worn at different ages, rites of passage and special occasions. Participants will create their own Maasai-inspired jewelry: a necklace collar, a cuff bracelet or even a headband using the patterns and cultural meanings of colors found in East Africa.

View materials and instructions for Poppin’ Patterns with Purpose here.

LaKeisha Wolf is an accomplished creative business professional, artisan and owner of a micro-enterprise centered on making and wellness. With her communications background and grassroots experience, Wolf has grown dynamic professional skills working at the intersection of arts and culture, and social entrepreneurship and community development. As a teaching artist, she is focused on using simple and innovative culturally responsive hands-on art projects that allow participants to reflect on experiences, identify and value self, create community and ultimately develop rituals that develop wholeness and perpetuate greatness. She has used these skills for two decades to serve young people and the Africana community through various organizations in the region. Wolf is a founding member and currently serves as executive director of non-profit Ujamaa Collective, focusing on the creative, cooperative, and fair trade support of Africana artists in local and global communities, including the development of emerging Africana women-owned craft businesses while maintaining an artisans’ retail boutique in conjunction. In this role, she also facilitates arts and entrepreneurship classes to a range of women, all ages. Wolf is responsible for initiating the organization’s first direct fair trade relationship in East Africa. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Penn State University where she served as Black Caucus President, revising curriculum and helping to establish the State of Pennsylvania’s first Africana Research Institute at the institution. EnjoyourSelf is the name of her 18 year old micro-enterprise, in which Wolf produces her Authentic Gemstone Jewelry and develops E-Ma's Natural Body & Hair Care Product line. Poetry, spoken word, various DIY projects and West African dance round out her creative practices. She is in her fourth year serving as a P.R.I.D.E. Program pop-up artist.

Afro-mation Magnets and Afromation Mini Pillows

This activity is going to offer us upcycle options with cardboard, old t-shirts, or any scrap of fabric hanging around the house. We will use these items to create affirming and culturally relevant adornments for our home!

Sheba Gittens is an anti-racist heArtivist, art educator, and a creative consultant based in this iteration of the world. She is a trained Wellness Practitioner, Anti-Racist Raja Yoga Instructor, and Joy Facilitator. As a Creative Consultant she has supported numerous organizations and businesses, nationally and internationally, in manifesting events, programs, and workshops grounded in equity for humanity and that honors intersectionality. Additionally, Sheba is a PRIDE (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education) Project Artist and Artist Educator for the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education PRIDE Program through the Office of Child Development. She received her BA in Africana Studies with a focus in English Literature, spent her professional career working with and serving youth of all ages and spent two years as a Padosi Fellow with AFSC’s Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR) as an anti-racist Art Educator, Community Organizer, and Workshop/Program Facilitator. She is also an integrative multimedia heArtist who uses mixed media to educate and expand the consciousness of those she serves.

View materials and instructions for Afro-mation Magnets and Afromation Mini Pillows here.

Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education (The P.R.I.D.E. Program) is a multifaceted program through the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Child Development, helping young black children ages 3-8 and their families understand and embrace their race, heritage, and culture with dignity and love, and to develop confidence and pride in their cultural heritage and race by providing hands-on Africana arts experiences. Learn more at racepride.pitt.edu

The Show Must Go On(line) is made possible thanks to generous support from the Benter Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation, the Opportunity Fund, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and an Anonymous Foundation.