Creating (in) Community Day
Research shows all sorts of beautiful benefits to making art in community: combating loneliness, building trust and empathy, and supporting healthy aging. With that in mind, we are excited to host our second annual community making day, where we invite neighbors to join us for group activities free of charge.
This year’s program will once again feature a weaving activity led by our Longform Mentor, kg gnatowski, followed by yoga and meditation led by Elizabeth Schmuhl. We’re also excited to introduce an additional workshop for kids and families with Mo Nash. Community Day activities are free, but you must RSVP, as space is limited! Come to spend the day nourishing your creative spirit on the Ox-Bow meadow.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Community day 2026 workshops
Weaving Together: DIY Looms & Collective Textile Play
with kg gnatowski
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Free with RSVP (limited to 16 participants)
In this hands-on weaving workshop, participants will explore the creative possibilities of crafting their own simple looms and making collaborative woven works inspired by the textures, colors, and rhythms of Ox-Bow’s meadow. We will experiment with approachable weaving techniques using yarn, fabric scraps, natural materials, and found fibers to create both individual pieces and a collective weave that celebrates community making. The workshop will begin with a demonstration on building small DIY looms from everyday materials, followed by guided instruction on basic weaving structures, texture building, and playful approaches to pattern. Participants will then move between solo experimentation and a shared weaving station, where everyone can contribute to a communal artwork that will evolve throughout the session. This workshop is designed for exploration, curiosity, and connection—no prior weaving experience is needed, and all ages and skill levels are invited to participate.
Plan to bring: any yarn, ribbons, fabric scraps, or natural fibers you’d enjoy incorporating (optional). All other materials will be provided.
Sticks and Foam: Some Basics of Hand and Rod Puppetry
with Mo Nash
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Free with RSVP
Participants will learn the fundamentals of hand and rod puppetry while designing and constructing their own simple puppet character using found and recycled materials. Demonstrated techniques include basic foam carving, mixed-media joining methods (glues and simple fasteners), light wood handling and sanding, and introductory sewing and textile attachment techniques. The workshop will begin with a short introduction to hand and rod puppetry with examples, followed by step-by-step demonstrations of carving and construction, hands-on puppet building, and conclude with an exploratory movement session and a low-stakes, collaborative puppet performance.
Plan to bring: Half yard of any special fabric they’d like to use for their puppet’s body (optional); all other materials will be provided.
Vinyasa + Yin on the Meadow: Movement, Meditation & Reflection
with Elizabeth Schmuhl
3:00–6:00 p.m.
Free with RSVP
In this outdoor workshop, we will explore the relationship between motion and stillness by blending gentle vinyasa flow with restorative yin poses to create a balanced, accessible practice. Demonstrations will guide students through breathwork, foundational postures, and approaches to seated and walking meditation. The workshop will open with warm-up movement, flow into an all-levels vinyasa sequence, settle into extended yin holds, and conclude with guided journaling and a gentle hike to reflect on the experience.
Plan to bring: a yoga mat, water bottle, and journal or notebook.
This program is inspired by the book Project Unlonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection, by Jeremy Nobel. Ox-Bow House has copies of the book available for purchase.
Photos by Nolan Zunk, SF’25