APEXART WORKSHOP

In conjunction with Obsesión! Labor as Pleasure Exhibition
“Decorative Embroidery with Jessica Lagunas”
Friday October 24, 2025
4:00–6:00 pm
NY, NY

As part of Obsesión! Labor as Pleasure, artist Jessica Lagunas invites you to a two-hour hands-on embroidery workshop exploring how slow, decorative stitching—particularly the French knot—can become a meditative and powerful act of storytelling.

Participants will learn decorative embroidery techniques, with a focus on the French knot, just as Lagunas meticulously hand-embroidered hundreds of feathers onto silk organza, honoring indigenous traditions while reclaiming colonial histories.

No prior embroidery experience is required, participants may bring a piece of clothing or textile they wish to embellish—all levels are welcome.

BRONX COUNCIL ON THE ART’s SU-CASA

PSS Andrew Jackson Center
“Easy Fiber Arts Workshops”
April 9–June 6, 2025
Wednesdays and Fridays
10:00–11:30 am
For Seniors
The Bronx, NYC

Seniors at PSS Andrew Jackson Center learned about Fiber Arts by making easy and simple textile art projects to get their creativity flowing. Each participant experimented with new materials and reinforce different techniques through colors, textures, and patterns. Nature motifs—flowers, leaves, trees, insects, etc.—served as inspiration.

The bilingual program focused mostly on weaving and yarn painting techniques as they have meditative qualities that the seniors benefited greatly from, and was gentle on their bodies. Projects included weaving a Mandala, and yarn painting on fabric.

For each project I demonstrated first the technique, and then assisted each senior during their process. As they progressed in their works, I introduced new stitches and variations. I waited until each senior finished each project to move on to the next one as a group. Some participants who worked quickly managed to do 2 works with the same technique.

This Su-Casa Program was administered by Bronx Council on the Arts.

NYPL Woodlawn Heights

“Easy Tapestry Weaving at Woodlawn Heights Library”
March 15–April 19, 2025
Saturdays
11:00 am–12:30 pm
Adults 18+
The Bronx, NYC

Participants learned about fiber arts with a tapestry weaving project over 6 sessions. The meditative quality of Tapestry Weaving enabled them to learn and experiment with colors, textures, and patterns to create their own weave.

The sessions focused mostly on experimentation and learning the basics to create a tapestry weave—from tools needed, dressing the loom, basic and advanced weaving stitches, use of different types of threads, finishing the tapestry, and taking it off the loom.

Each participant worked at their own pace using a small portable table loom to create a piece maximum 14" × 12" size.

The library provided access to a variety of weaving books during the sessions. A list of weaving books from NYPL was provided as resources for future inspiration.

BRONX COUNCIL ON THE ART’s SU-CASA

Bronxworks Heights Senior Center
“Easy Fiber Arts Workshops”
April 24–June 28, 2024
Wednesdays
10:30 am–12:00 pm
For Seniors
The Bronx, NYC

Seniors at Bronxworks Heights learned about Fiber Arts by making easy and simple textile art projects to get their creativity flowing. Each participant experimented with new materials and/or reinforce different techniques through colors, textures, and patterns. Nature motifs—flowers, leaves, trees, insects, etc.—served as inspiration.

The bilingual program focused mostly on weaving, yarn painting and macramé techniques as they have meditative qualities that the seniors benefited greatly from, and was gentle on their bodies. Projects included weaving a Mandala, yarn painting on fabric, and a decorative wall hanging.

For each project I demonstrated first the technique, and then assisted each senior during their process. As they progressed in their works, I introduced new stitches and variations. I waited until each senior finished each project to move on to the next one as a group.

This Su-Casa Program was administered by Bronx Council on the Arts.

NYPL’s CREATIVE AGING

Columbus Library
“Easy Tapestry Weaving”
March 18–May 13, 2024
Mondays
11:30 am–1:00 pm
For Adults 50+
Manhattan, NYC

During eight sessions the meditative quality of Tapestry Weaving enabled participants to learn and experiment with colors, textures, and patterns, to create their own weave on a 14” × 18” table tapestry loom.

The sessions focused mostly on experimentation and learning the basics to create a tapestry weave—from tools needed, dressing the loom, basic and advanced weaving stitches, use of different types of threads, finishing the tapestry, and taking it off the loom.

A list of weaving books from NYPL was provided as resources for future inspiration.
Materials were provided.

PRESBYTERIAN SENIOR SERVICES

PSS Harlem Center
“Decorative Wall Hanging”
October 26, 2023
1:00 pm–2:00 pm
In person and remote
For Seniors
Manhattan, NYC

Seniors created a decorative wall hanging with yarns using a technique of macramé, the lark’s head knot.

This easy project was gentle on their hands and eyes, and each participant chose their own colors of yarns and combined them in different arrangements according to their own style and taste.

The workshop was bilingual, and was taught both in person and remote to another PSS Center.

BRONX COUNCIL ON THE ART’s SU-CASA

Tolentine RAIN Senior Center
“Easy Fiber Art Workshops with Jessica Lagunas”
April 3–June 15, 2023
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays
10:00 am–11:00 am
For Seniors
The Bronx, NYC

Seniors at Tolentine RAIN learned about Fiber Arts by making easy and simple textile art projects to get their creativity flowing. Each participant experimented with new materials and/or reinforce different techniques through colors, textures, and patterns. Nature motifs—flowers, leaves, trees, insects, etc.—served as inspiration.

The bilingual program focused mostly on embroidery and weaving techniques as both have a meditative qualities that the seniors benefited greatly from, and was gentle on their bodies, with projects such as weaving a Mandala, yarn painting, and a collaborative tapestry weaving.

For each project I demonstrated first the technique, and then assisted each senior during their process. As they progressed in their works, I introduced new stitches and variations. I waited until each senior finished each project to move on to the next one as a group. For the ladies who finished first, I had the collaborative tapestry project they could work on while waiting for the rest of the group to catch on.

This Su-Casa Program was administered by Bronx Council on the Arts.

NYPL's CREATIVE AGING

Woodlawn Heights Library
“Easy Fiber Arts Workshops”
April 19–June 7, 2023
Wednesdays
11:00 am–12:30 pm
For Adults 50+
The Bronx, NYC

In this eight sessions Fiber Arts program participants made easy and simple textile art projects to get their creativity flowing.

The sessions focused mostly on embroidery and weaving techniques as both have a meditative quality, which everyone benefited greatly from. Participants created a series of projects focusing on experimenting with colors, textures, and patterns, such as weaving a Mandala, journal bookbinding with embroidered cover, and decorative wall hangings and necklaces using macramé techniques.
Materials were provided.

BRONX RIVER ART CENTER’s SU-CASA

Northeast Bronx Senior Center
“Fiber Art Workshops with Jessica Lagunas”
May 4-June 23, 2022
Wednesdays and Thursdays
10:00 am–12:00 pm
For Seniors
The Bronx, NYC

At the end of April 2022, I was approached by BRAC to teach fiber arts sessions as part of their Su-Casa Program at Northeast Senior Center in The Bronx.

Sessions focused on embroidery and weaving techniques as both have a meditative quality that the seniors benefited greatly from, and were gentle on their bodies.

The seniors created a series of projects where each participant learned and experimented with colors, textures, and patterns. A brief history of each technique with examples from the past and from contemporary artists was presented, focusing mostly on women artists. Themes for creating work was inspired from nature, flowers, leaves, trees, insects, etc.

On the last day we had a celebration for the seniors to showcase their creatinons during the Su-Casa Program. Family, friends and other members of the Senior Center accompanied us to celebrate their lovely creations. Also, the senior’s work was part of a students exhibition at BRAC in June.

BRONX LIBRARY CENTER

“Bookbinding Workshop, Creating your own Book Journals with Needle and Thread”
October 9, 2021
2:00–4:00 pm
For Adults only (18+ and older)
The Bronx, NYC

In this hands-on workshop participants learned the basics of bookbinding by creating 2 simple pamphlet books with needle and thread. These beautifully crafted books serve as personal journals, and each person were encouraged to take them home.

Bilingual Workshop, conducted in English and Spanish.

This program was made possible thanks to 2021 Grants from the New York City Artist Corps, with additional support from a BRIO Grant from Bronx Council on the Arts.

LMCC’s SU-CASA

Riverstone Center, Washington Heights
Assistant to LMCC’s Grantee Jennifer Verbit
May 4-June 23, 2019
Once a Week
10:00 am–12:00 pm
For Seniors
Manhattan, NYC

In 2019 LMCC’s grantee Jennifer Verbit invited me to assist her and translate her bookbinding Su-Casa Program at the Riverstone Senior Center in Washington Heights.

Different bookbinding techniques were covered in the program. The public component was an exhibition of the senior’s creations and a celebration with family, friends, and other members of the Center.

THE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT @ KELLY STREET

“Paste Paper with Texture and Marks from your Kitchen and Beyond”
Saturday April 29th, 2017
2.5 hrs
For Members of the Kelly St. Community
The Bronx, NYC

Members learned a technique for decorating paper that was used in early bookbinding, using acrylic paint and paste medium. Then embellished their textured papers with a variety of different tools and materials easily found at home and in their own community garden.

They were inspired with various demonstrations to create one of a kind paste papers with a fun and easy to do method. Participants made multiple sheets of paper to take home.

THE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT @ KELLY STREET

“Bookbinding: A Book Journal Inspired by Kelly St. Community Garden”
Saturday, October 1st, 2016
3 hrs
For Members of the Kelly St. Community
The Bronx, NYC

Members learned the basics of bookbinding by creating a simple structure pamphlet book made without adhesive. In the three-hour workshop they learned about paper grain, and how to bind pages with needle and thread.

They were inspired by Kelly St. Community Garden and learn a few interesting techniques to personalize and decorate their book cover. Members were encouraged to use their beautifully crafted book as a personal journal.

Handout PDF

THE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT @ KELLY STREET

“Paste Paper with Texture and Marks from Kelly St. Community Garden and Beyond”
Saturday, August 27th, 2016
2 hrs
For Members of the Kelly St. Community
The Bronx, NYC

Members learned a technique for decorating paper that was used in early bookbinding, using acrylic paint and paste medium. Then embellished their textured papers with a variety of different tools and materials easily found at home and in their own community garden.

They were inspired with various demonstrations to create one of a kind paste papers with a fun and easy to do method. Participants made multiple sheets of paper to take home or use them in a pamphlet book on a Fall workshop October 1st. 

Handout PDF

WAVE HILL / VACATION WEEK: 3 ART WORKSHOPS

#1: “Paste Paper with Texture and Feather Marks”
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
1:00 pm-2:30 pm
For Families
The Bronx, NYC

Families learned a technique of making decorative and textured paste papers using acrylic paint and paste medium. Then embellish their papers with feathery marks that you make from actual feathers. Participants made multiple sheets of paper to take home or use these papers in pamphlet books.

https://www.wavehill.org/events/family-art-workshop-paste-papers/

Handout PDF

#2: “Birdy Pamphlet Book with a Note to Bird Songs”
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
1:00 pm-2:30 pm
For Families
The Bronx, NYC

Families delved into the art of bookmaking using a simple pamphlet stitch. They chose a local bird species for the silhouette cover along with textured paste papers to give their homemade book special character.

https://www.wavehill.org/events/family-art-workshop-paste-papers-2/

Handout PDF

#3: “Migrating Kites”
Thursday, April 9, 2015
1:00 pm-2:30 pm
For Families
The Bronx, NYC

Families studied how do birds and their wing structure, then using a simple building technique, assembled a flyable kite with wings as their inspiration. They had the option to fashion their kite with color and flare to make a real or imagined migrator.

https://www.wavehill.org/events/family-art-workshop-paste-papers-3/

WAVE HILL / FAMILY ART PROJECT WORKSHOP

“Plant Jewelry”
Saturday and Sunday, Nov 1-2, 2014
10:00 am-1:00 pm
For Families
The Bronx, NYC

Participants collected intriguing items from the grounds of Wave Hill. Then visited artist Jessica Lagunas who showed how to turn found natural wonders into exciting plant jewelry.

At the end, families had the option to glue their remaining collection to a found box along with fabric or embossed foil, and make a treasure chest to house their prized possession of the season.

WAVE HILL / SINGLE SESSION WORKSHOP

Part 1: “Bookbinding: Create your own Book Journal” Saturday, July 26, 2014
For Ages 12 and over accompanied by an adult
The Bronx, NYC

Inspired by the colors, textures, and natural forms found at Wave Hill, participants practiced the art of bookbinding with artist Jessica Lagunas.

They created a simple pamphlet-book using beautiful St. Armand hand made, recycled paper and learned how to bind pages with needle and thread. At the end of the session participants learned a few interesting techniques to personalize and decorate their book cover.

The beautifully crafted book could be used as a personal journal, or they could use it during Wave Hill’s Part 2: “Botanical Illustration and Observation” Workshop on August 9, 2014.

https://www.wavehill.org/events/bookbinding-workshop-create-your-own-book-journal/

Handout PDF

WAVE HILL / WINTER WORKSPACE WORKSHOP

"Cover-to-Cover Bookbinding"
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2014
10:00 am -1:00 pm
For Adults
The Bronx, NYC

Visitors gained insight into Winter Workspace artist Jessica Lagunas” creative process and explored the winter landscape as a source of inspiration.

Participants learned the basics of bookbinding and made a pamphlet-book structure made without adhesive, and a decorative cover inspired by nature.

https://www.wavehill.org/events/winter-workspace-workshop-cover-cover-bookbinding/