Deconstructed Immersion with Kerr Grabowski

Tue, Nov 17 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST

REGISTER HERE

"Marks - textures, lines, images and symbols - My work in textiles and clothing stems from an interest in cultures where art is an integral part of daily life-where mark making is a natural activity, a part of the celebration of being."

Kerr Grabowski's history as a fiber artist has been marked by her constant experimentation with and innovative approaches to dyeing and screening processes. She developed Deconstructed Screen Printing, a printing monoprinting technique allowing for a freer, more painterly approach to screen printing.

Kerr successfully integrates her love of color, mark-making, and spontaneity with the challenge of creating whimsically elegant contemporary hand painted and screened silk fabrics and wearables.
Formerly Artist in Residence at Peters Valley Craft Center in NJ, Kerr now maintains a studio in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.

Recipient of a Mississippi Arts Commission Fellowship, a New Jersey Council on the Arts Fellowship Kerr is published in Ornament, Surface Design Journal, Fiber Arts Design Book Six and Silk Painting for Fashion and Fine Art and Textiles Now.

Kerr exhibits and teaches all aspects of surface design internationally and is the author of two DVDs.

Member of Surface Design Association, American Craft Council, Textile Study Group of NYC

A four-day immersive workshop exploring the expressive, unpredictable world of deconstructed screen printing on fabric.

Step beyond traditional printing techniques and into a process-driven approach where intuition, layering, and experimentation guide the work. In this workshop, nationally recognized fiber artist Kerr Grabowski will introduce participants to the dynamic possibilities of deconstructed screen printing — a method that embraces spontaneity, texture, and the beauty of the unexpected.

Using dried, thickened fiber reactive dyes applied to a screen and later reactivated with moisture, students will discover how color can release in surprising and often serendipitous ways. The resulting prints are richly layered, atmospheric, and impossible to fully predict — making each piece uniquely personal.

Throughout the workshop, participants will explore line, texture, rhythm, and form through a variety of approaches, including:

  • Deconstructed screen printing

  • Polychromatic printing

  • Direct dye application

  • Intuitive mark-making and layered surface design

  • Traditional stencil-based printing techniques

Screens will be used both experimentally and structurally, allowing students to move fluidly between controlled design and spontaneous discovery. Emphasis is placed on exploration over perfection, encouraging each participant to develop a visual language that feels authentic, expressive, and alive.

Students can expect to leave with a substantial collection of printed fabrics and papers, along with new confidence in working intuitively and embracing “happy accidents” as an essential part of the creative process.

  • This workshop is ideal for fiber artists, surface designers, mixed media artists, quilters, printmakers, and adventurous beginners interested in exploring expressive approaches to fabric printing and dye processes.

    • How deconstructed screen printing works

    • Methods for creating layered, textural surfaces

    • Techniques for polychromatic and direct dye printing

    • Ways to combine intuition with composition and design

    • Strategies for developing personal imagery and visual rhythm

    • How to embrace unpredictability as part of the creative process

  • Workshops at Aya Fiber Studio are intentionally small in size to allow for meaningful instruction, individual guidance, and an immersive creative experience. Students work in a fully equipped fiber arts studio designed specifically for dyeing, printing, stitching, and surface design exploration.

  • Participants are encouraged to bring a spirit of experimentation and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. This workshop is process-driven and exploratory, with an emphasis on layering, texture, and personal expression.

    Recommended to Bring

    • Apron or studio clothes suitable for working with dye

    • Comfortable closed-toe shoes

    • Sketchbook or notebook for ideas and sampling notes

    • Pencil, waterproof marker, and pen

    • Scissors for fabric and paper

    • Roll of paper towels

    • Plastic gloves (optional, if preferred)

    • A few old towels or rags

    materials list will be posted as we get closer to class: Student Supply Lists and Materials Guide<br/> — Aya Fiber Studio

About Kerr