Garden Structures Workshop with Jes Clark, March 26&27, 2026

Dates: Thursday & Friday March 26 & 27, 2026

Workshop Fee: $450 Material Fee: Approximately $50, based on weight of material used. Paid to the instructor at end of thee workshop. 

Description: In this class, students will learn traditional weaving techniques while creating garden supports and focal-pieces. Using locally grown willow by Matt Sheehan of The Fen, student can weave their choice of plant supports: obelisks, peony crowns, trellises, through a modern cosmopolitan combination of traditional weaves: Irish mouth wale, French randing, three-rod wale, pairing , Japanese eye knot, and god’s eye. This class is suitable for students at all levels wanting to learn a base of weaving knowledge while making impactful pieces relatively quickly. Participants can expect to make 2-3 pieces during this class. Strong hands are a must as we will be working with larger willow. Care and use of finished pieces will be discussed in class.

Workshop Size: 8 students.

Schedule: 9am-5pm each day (7 hours class time + 1 hr lunch), lunch provided.

Instructor: Jes Clark (they/them) is the farmer and weaver at Willow Vale Farm in Stanfordville, NY. Jes weaves traditional and contemporary functional pieces and the basket forms created are a result of their conversation with each stick of willow. All of their willow is grown without pesticides using regenerative practices and with loving care. Jes has been teaching weaving since 2018 and has taught hundreds of students ranging from absolute beginners to experienced weavers looking to refine their craft. They have taught at the Stowe Basketry Festival, for the National Basketry Organization, at the Met Cloisters just to name a few, and also privately in one-on-one tutorials. Jes has woven a set of three baskets entitled ‘i am made to hold’ for Our Fragile Moment, an exhibition of artists to address the climate crisis. Discover more of their work at:  @willowvalefarm  willowvale.farm.com

Location: 85 Sharon Mountain Rd, Sharon CT. The workshop will take place in the great room at Fiddlestyx, a Russell Janis space located in the foothills of the Berkshires in North West Connecticut.

Accommodations: There are 4 guest rooms at Fiddlestyx available for the workshop. To inquire send an email to info@russelljanis.com. Other acomodations nearby: Sharon Country Inn , The Inn at Iron Masters , Cornwall Inn