Workshops

Children's Drawing and Painting with Ms. Shaun

Date: October 28th, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: The Pilot Program is FREE

The Museum is pleased to introduce a new monthly children’s workshop designed for elementary and middle school students. The series, Children’s Drawing and Painting with Ms. Shaun will be offered from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 28th, 2023.

Shauna Landry is a Louisiana native who has over eight years of experience working with children in art. From painting and drawing to instructing young minds how to break complex objects into foundational images, Shauna is excited to develop children’s artistic skills. Shauna received an associate degree from New Mexico State University in Early Childhood Education and formal art instruction from the AHH Ha School of Arts in Colorado and the Young Rembrandts Program. She is currently teaching art at Impact Charter School in Baker while pursuing a bachelor’s degree online from Arizona State University.

This new monthly workshop will be held on the fourth Saturday of each month and the pilot program is offered FREE of charge. All art supplies are provided but space is limited and advanced registration is required. To register, please contact the Museum.

Basic Woodworking

The Museum is pleased to work with skilled artisan, Terry Landry, to present a series of wood working workshops inside the museum’s barn. Advanced, paid reservations are required due to class size limits. To register, please call the Museum.

Dates: November 11th and 18th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $150
Location: Museum Barn

Basic Woodworking: Build a Tool Tote is a two part session that will be held Saturday, November 11th and 18th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Participants in this class will each build their own tool tote using saws, chisels, brace, marking gauge and hand planes. You will learn to mark and cut dovetails and dados to build the tote. The $150 course fee includes cost of materials. Although they are provided, those who have their own chisels and dovetails saw may wish to bring those as well. This class is limited to a maximum of four participants.

Exploration in Genealogy

This series is hosted by the West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society, spearheaded by West Baton Rouge Historical Association board member, Debbie Doiron Martin, and sponsored by the West Baton Rouge Museum.

The Battle of Baton Rouge 1862

Date: November 18th, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: FREE

Indulge in East Baton Rouge history at the West Baton Rouge Museum on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 from 10:30 AM -12:00 PM for a talk on The Battle of Baton Rouge 1862 with guest speaker, Ronnie Harris.

This story begins with Louisiana’s secession from the Union on January 26th, 1861 and ends with a battle between two equal size forces. Tempered on one side were green troops and superior gun power. On the other side, seasoned battle veterans fought on their home front with a secret weapon that could turn the tide of victory. The location was Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the heat of August. There were two opposing armies and a city’s population of old men, women, children, and enslaved African Americans were in fear for their lives.

Speaker, Ronnie Harris graduated with a degree in Business Management from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette in 1975. After college, he returned to his home in Gretna, Louisiana where he became a member and president of the Gretna Historical Society. After leading several renovation projects in the historic downtown, he began his career in government in 1985 by being elected and serving 28 years as Mayor of the City of Gretna. During that time, he received his master’s in business administration from Tulane University in 2003. In 2013, he moved to Baton Rouge to become Executive Director of the Louisiana Municipal Association, a non-profit organization serving the needs of Louisiana’s 303 cities, towns, and villages.

After his retirement in 2018, intrigued by local history, he began research on the history of the Little Misery Cemetery. It was this abandoned African American Cemetery which led him to discover the story of the Battle of Baton Rouge.

This workshop is FREE, open to the public, and no registration is required.

Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing Basics

Date: Scheduled Upon Request
Time:Scheduled Upon Request
Cost: $200
Location: Museum Barn

The West Baton Rouge Museum is home to a thriving Blacksmith Apprenticeship program. Classes are taught by Artist in Residence and professional blacksmith, Gary Hart and other special guests. The tuition for this course is $200 which includes supplies, a copy of the classic blacksmithing book The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex Bealer, and completed projects. Blacksmithing basics and blacksmithing ornamental skills will be taught. Participants will leave with basic blacksmithing knowledge and skill that can be built upon. Class sizes will be limited and will be offered on weekdays or weekends to accommodate participants’ schedules. Upon completion of the program, participants interested in continuing to hone their craft will be eligible to conduct demonstrations at the West Baton Rouge Museum by becoming blacksmithing volunteers.

Forging On

Date: Scheduled Upon Request
Time:Scheduled Upon Request
Cost: To Be Determined
Location: Museum Barn

The West Baton Rouge Museum will soon be adding a series of sessions covering more specialized blacksmithing techniques. This advanced program is designed for those who have completed Blacksmithing Basics and wish to build upon their skills. Fees will apply.

Tatting

West Baton Rouge Museum will host a series of tatting workshops led by Louisiana artist, Christy Benoit Castille. Tatting is a timeless handwork which dates back to the 1700’s and can be found throughout Europe. Tatting is used with a double thread to create double knots.

Christy Benoit Castille is a member of many craft guilds such as Tatters Across Time, the Louisiana Crafts Guild, and the International Organization of Lace. She first became interested in tatting after seeing her great grandmother’s tatting shuttle and handwork. It has been her mission ever since not only to learn the craft but also to pass on the skill set and beautiful history of this traditional art form.

Shuttle and Needle Tatting

Date: September 12th, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $30

The skills covered during this two-hour workshop will allow the participant to review all skills learned during the previous workshop series. Double Stitch and Chains, Shuttle, and Needle Tatting skills must be mastered. Please note to wind Shuttle prior to class. Supplies participants will need to bring for this class include a tatting needle shuttle, thread (choice of size 10 or 20), picot gauge, scissors, and a small crochet hook. Upon completion, participants will have produced beautiful simple edging that can be used on heirloom clothing. Please note: Participants should not have dexterity (arthritis or joint) problems with their fingers and Double Stitch must be mastered. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required by contacting the Museum. The cost is $30.