SALINA – Installation artist Neil Goss will present a workshop for seventh graders at Lakewood Middle School Thursday, October 13th and Friday, October 14th. His visit is made possible through the Arts Infusion Program of Salina Arts & Humanities. The teaching artist will work with participating students on the affects that invasive plant species have on natural habitats, including the Smoky Hill River. Goss also will demonstrate backstrap weaving techniques using organic and found materials.

Goss’s workshop, titled “Invasive Species: Offered to the Earth” is a continuation of his work at the 2016 Smoky Hill River Festival, during which he worked with community members and the Friends of the River Foundation to create unique totem pieces for Oakdale Park. There, Goss demonstrated a technique of weaving originating from indigenous cultures called backstrap weaving. He uses solely organic materials including honey suckle, which is invasive and harmful to the Smoky Hill River’s natural environment. After weaving the totems, he installs them back into nature where they may be reclaimed in a different form.

Together with Lakewood Discovery Center, Friends of the River Foundation, Salina Arts & Humanities and community volunteers, Goss will help seventh grade science classes at Lakewood Middle School create their own totem to be installed at the school’s Discovery Center.

Goss is the second visiting artist to come to Salina during the 2016-2017 Arts Infusion school year. Last week, Galen Abdur-Razzaq spoke about jazz and the civil rights movement to local middle school and high school classes.

For questions or comments, please call Arts Infusion Coordinator, Stacy Ash at Salina Arts & Humanities at 785-309-5770 from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday.