The Sonoma Community Center has announced a series of upcoming sculptural lantern-making workshops led by visiting artist Valerie Seaberg, scheduled for late September.

The programming includes sessions tailored for both families and adults, supported by a grant from the KHR McNeely Family Foundation intended to reduce registration barriers for local residents.

Seaberg, a Wyoming-based artist with a second home in Sebastopol, specializes in traditional and sustainable craft methods. Her workshops emphasize the communal nature of manual creation, a practice she notes has historically served as a foundation for social gathering and storytelling.

“There is something so wonderfully grounding and satisfying about slowing down, sitting together, and making things with our hands,” Seaberg said.

The schedule begins on Saturday, Sept. 20, with “Friends and Family” sessions. These three-hour workshops are designed for intergenerational participation and focus on simplified lantern crafts.

Two time slots are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a registration fee of $10 per person.

A more technical two-day adult workshop will follow on Sept. 26 and 27. Participants will use willow, bamboo, and other sustainable materials to create complex sculptural forms. The registration fee for the adult session is $60, which covers all necessary materials. Attendees are permitted to bring personal items like poems or images to integrate into their work.

The Sonoma Community Center is located 276 East Napa St. Interested residents can find registration information at SonomaCommunityCenter.org or by contacting the center directly at 707-938-4626.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com.