Two classes offered by instructor Judy Miller at School of the Arts at Rhinelander 2014 (July 19 to 23) could not be more diverse. But the beat goes on.
Miller will again teach I Drum, You Drum: A Drum Circle, a class she first offered at School of the Arts 2012. This year she is adding Happily Pounding Flowers: An Old Craft With New Flair. Both classes invite students to, well, hit things.

I Drum, You Drum students gather in a circle and “experience the ancient musical tradition of drumming,” Miller said. “Our goal is to experience rhythm and become reenergized, and input from members will help to determine where we invest our time and energy.” 

She added that she has chosen several new music ensembles for the group to explore.

“We will also review some old favorites which former players and new players seem to enjoy,” Miller said. I Drum, You Drum: A Drum Circle is offered Saturday through Wednesday, July 19 to 23, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Miller’s second course, Happily Pounding Flowers: An Old Craft With New Flair, revives the art of decorating with flower blossoms. Basically, it is the art of hammering flowers onto treated fabric and paper.

“Early Americans probably decorated their clothing by pounding berries or blossoms, providing us with some of the first examples,” Miller said. “They found that pounding the color and shape of a botanical form into fabric made a very unique design, and it still does.”

Advances in papermaking and fabric techniques have added new dimensions to the scope of flower-pounding. 

“By using treated fabric and choosing different mountings, projects can take on many different looks,” Miller said. “Journals and writing paper can be uniquely adorned with botanical décor using this technique. Our goal of creating a wall hanging can be completed with fabric treating, matting or wrapped canvas.” 

Happily Pounding Flowers: An Old Craft With New Flair is offered Saturday through Wednesday, July 19 to 23, from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Miller feels that students who show enthusiasm for a new endeavor will most likely succeed in these classes. 

“We invite you to step out of your box and join other like-minded folks to pursue this adventure,” she said.

Information on these and all classes offered at School of the Arts at Rhinelander 2014 is available at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies site, soawisconsin.org. Registration may be made on the site or by calling the registration desk, 608-262-2451.