Open Studio: Hidden Layers

Name: Open Studio: Hidden Layers
Start: 2026-10-01T17:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-01T19:00:00+00:00
Location: NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown | 400 W Fourth St. Ste. 130

Thursday, Oct 1, 2026

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Overview

Create texture-rich art inspired by tactile works in current exhibition Process as Practice

Taking inspiration from exhibiting artists Erin Canady and Leah Smith, this drop-in workshop introduces the fundamentals of masking in art. With guidance from guest artist Gretchen Siebert, learn the fundamentals of masking in art and use alternative pigments — such as coffee grounds and turmeric — to build striking textures while reimagining traditional mediums. Ages 18 and up; materials provided.

Gretchen Siebert

Born in Chicago, IL, and now based in Winston-Salem, NC,Gretchen Siebert received her BFA from Indiana University South Bend where she studied academic figurative sculpture and drawing with Dora Natella. She later shifted away from representational figuration to experiment with sound but has focused on drawing and exploring abstraction for the past decade. Siebert taught observational drawing and open figure drawing classes at Sawtooth School for Visual Art from 2017 until 2025 and currently serves as Operations Director for Piedmont Craftsmen.

Open Studio

Open Studio is an adults-only art meetup designed to spark creativity, conversation, and connection. Focusing on process over perfection, these flexible, drop-in sessions invite participants to experiment freely with materials and ideas in an easygoing workshop environment. Each month features a fresh creative prompt inspired by a North Carolina-based artist. Stop by Open Studio to make art with friends you haven’t met yet.

This program is part of the ongoing series NC Strong: Resilience, Tradition, and Innovation, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Related Events

Workshop: Introduction to Weave Drafting with Kimberly English

Explore the art of weave drafting with exhibiting artist Kimberly English Drafting is a visual system for translating structure and sequence into woven cloth. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will explore weave drafts as both practical tools and conceptual puzzles: systems of interdependent parts that can be read and manipulated. Through guided exercises, participants will learn how to interpret and modify 4-harness weave drafts while developing an understanding of how small structural changes create complex visual outcomes. The workshop approaches drafting not only as a weaving skill, but as a way of thinking through pattern, logic, repetition, and variation. This workshop will be led by exhibiting artist Kimberly English, whose work is on view in Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC at NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown through November 29, 2026. English is a fiber artist and educator based in Canton, NC. While some weaving experience may be helpful, this course is also open to artists, designers, makers, and visually curious people interested in systems-based thinking, pattern construction, and structured experimentation. Participation is free but registration is required. Header image: Kimberly English, The Devil’s Wife, 2024, handwoven cotton, quilting cotton, batting, curtain fabric backing. Kimberly English. Courtesy of the artist.

October 10, 2026