Please join the University of Delaware’s Center for Material Culture as we celebrate 25 years of Advancing Research on Things.
To commemorate this occasion, the CMCS is proud to host a week of free public workshops from November 10-14, 2025.
The anniversary celebration will culminate in a reception on the evening of November 13, 2025 on the University of Delaware campus in Memorial Hall.
WORKSHOP 1: Historical Maps/Material Culture
Led by Martin Brueckner
This workshop explores some of the greatest hits of UD’s historical map collection in relation to material culture and the social lives of maps. We will examine high-impact maps marked by technological innovation and high circulation. We will explore how audiences from diverse backgrounds interact with and interpret maps, particularly when seeking knowledge about America. Throughout, we will discuss how maps have shaped our spatial imagination, both as material objects and as media platforms, affecting communication, politics, education, and aesthetics.
Monday, November 10, 12-2 pm, Morris Library Room 114
WORKSHOP 2: Chipping stone: A hands-on look at (one of) the earliest technologies
Led by Thomas Rocek
The workshop is a combination introduction to the technology of making chipped stone tools (“flint knapping”), and a hands-on opportunity for participants to experience what is involved in controlled chipping of stone. Participants will try their hands at basic knapping skills while being introduced to some of the major technological innovations in flint knapping that occurred over the course of the Paleolithic (the “old stone age”). Artifact casts and reproductions of some of these technologies will accompany the lecture/demonstration, and the changing knapping methods will be placed in the context of human evolution, as both early humans and their technical capacities evolved (the interplay of biological and cultural evolution). Participants are strongly encouraged to wear full-length leg coverings (pants or long skirts) and closed shoes, as flint knapping produces very sharp flakes and cuts are possible. Eye goggles (and band-aids) will be provided!
Monday, November 10, 2025, 4-6 pm, Munroe Hall Room 104
WORKSHOP 3: The Process of Natural Dying
Led by Samara Weaver
A Thing Tank workshop with seats open to the public
Come experience the process of natural dying using local materials guided by artist Samara Weaver. Samara is a local Wilmington artist who works in multiple mediums and has a strong focus on materiality and color in her artistic practice. Through the workshop, Samara will be in conversation with participants about transformation, creativity, materials, and making. Samara will explain the dying process and guide the group in using natural materials such as acorns and black walnuts to dye their own material or fibers. Bring your questions, creativity, and spirit of exploration as we come together to learn, create, and get our hands dirty!
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 12:45-2:00 pm, Brown Education Center, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
WORKSHOP 4: Movable Marvels: The History and Crafting of Pop-up Books
Led by Petra Clark and Alison Wessel
Pop-up books aren’t just for children’s story times. Join Petra Clark, Instruction Librarian for Special Collections, and Alison Wessel, Social Sciences Librarian, to learn about the long history of pop-ups and other movable books dating back to the Middle Ages, and how they have been used to inform, engage, and entertain.
Participants will explore the history of these engineered sculptural artifacts and view examples of recent and historic pop-up books and cards from the Special Collections held at Morris Library, including children’s books, souvenirs, greeting cards, instructional texts, and artists’ books.
Then participants will have the opportunity to take inspiration from the display items and create their own cards with pop-up and movable elements. Crafting materials and some technical instruction will be provided.
Wednesday, November 12th, 2-4 pm, Morris Library Room 114
WORKSHOP 5: Made of This Earth: Experiment with Ceramics
Led by Abigail Donovan
Humans have formed and fired clay objects for thousands of years, turning mud-like material into stone-like material for reasons that range from utilitarian to reverential to aesthetic. Participants will be introduced to elemental hand-building techniques, with the option to have one piece fired in the UD ceramics studio kilns. Bring your ideas or ask for inspiration! No prior experience necessary, all tools provided.
Wednesday, November 12th, 12-2 pm, Studio Arts Building Room 107
WORKSHOP 6: Weaving Joy: Mini-Tapestries Inspired by Letty Esherick
Led by Kelly Cobb
This workshop draws on Cobb’s current creative research studying Letty Esherick’s idea of “working at a joyous creative thing” to explore how color, texture, and pattern can capture emotion. The workshop engages with Bauhaus color theory, emotional color mapping, and the tactile joy of making. In it, participants will weave a small tapestry using a palette that reflects a personal joy memory, incorporating yarns, threads, and any personal fabric they bring. They will also create a short “label” describing their piece’s story. Ultimately, they will produce Signature “joy weavings” that visually connect individual experiences. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring fabric or yarn to add to their pieces.
Friday, November 14th, 10 am-12 pm, Alison Hall West Room 311