PA Guild- Fanciful Fraktur Birds (9/12/2026)
Workshop | Available
This year, the Chester County Art Association is proud to partner with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen to host unique fine craft workshops at CCAA, led by Guild teaching artists.
Fanciful Fraktur Birds
In this workshop, participants will learn what birds were prevalent here in southeastern Pennsylvania in the 1700s and find connections through Fraktur images. Learn where the polka-dot, checkerboard, and various striped patterns came from that we now enjoy in Fraktur.
Then, participants will be shown some “tricks” to drawing their own fanciful birds in the Fraktur style, as well as adapting patterns from original, historic works using light boards. They will then complete a small, 5x7 Fraktur bird.
About Fraktur:
Fraktur was created by Pennsylvania Germans during the eighteenth through the mid-nineteenth centuries and features calligraphic text decorated with colorful birds, hearts, and flowers. The tradition has its roots in the illuminated manuscripts of medieval Europe but evolved into a distinctive part of the local Pennsylvania German culture. Today, those who appreciate this colorful folk art enjoy drawing their own fraktur designs based on the work of the early fraktur artists.
- Instructor: Emily Smucker-Beidler
Skill Level: Beginner
Date/Time: Saturday, September 12th, 2026 from 9:00AM - 12:00 PM
Class length: 1 Class, 3 hours Total
Class tuition: $135. per student
Age: Ages 13-100 and all ability levels are welcome. Fraktur is for everyone!
Minimum # of students: 4
Maximum # of students: 12
Materials fee of $15 per student is payable to the teacher at the start of the class. This covers all supplies and materials needed for this special workshop.