Miniature Felt Landscapes
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Explore the magic of needle felting and transform colorful fibers into miniature landscape “paintings.” Needle felting is the process of condensing fibers into a specific configuration or shape with a needle. This beginner-friendly workshop, led by resident artists Alla and Milana Borovskaia, will introduce you to two-dimensional felting techniques, from blending colors and creating texture to creating the illusion of shading and depth. The result looks just like paint brushstrokes! Bring textile to life with your own one-of-a-kind miniature landscape.
This workshop is open to all levels of experience, ages 16+. A $10 materials fee is to be paid directly to the artist on the day of the program.
Mother and daughter team Alla and Milana Borovskaia are the newest artists-in-residence at Sandy Spring Museum. Their artistic practice includes large-scale installations, sculpture, painting, and collage. Throughout their work, Alla and Milana use a combination of innovative materials and techniques alongside traditional craftsmanship. Through continuous experimentation, their artworks emphasize extraordinary aesthetics created from ordinary materials. Alla and Milana have exhibited their works of art in various museums and galleries across the United States.

Create a Mini Comic Book
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Calling all doodlers, cartoonists, and graphic novelists! Combine your interests in storytelling and art by creating a mini comic book, a fun format for you to explore ideas and experiment with new drawing techniques. Using one sheet of paper, you will write and illustrate a brief (6-8 page) narrative that can be factual, fictional, or a combination of both. Led by artist Leila Cabib, you will use several graphic novel techniques, from narration and dialogue to character design and dynamic page layout. Your mini comic book can be a complete project or serve as a jumping-off point for a larger work.
This workshop is open to all levels of experience, ages 50+. All supplies will be provided by the artist.
Leila Cabib is an animator, cartoonist, and illustrator whose work has been commissioned for newspapers, magazines, and books including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Cambridge University Press. Additionally, she has written and illustrated two nationally syndicated comic strips. Leila has been an artist-in-residence in numerous schools from elementary to high school, leading programs in animation, graphic novel design, and cartooning. She has also designed and led classes specifically for older adults. Leila has a B.A. in English from Bard College and an M.A. in illustration from Syracuse University.
This activity is made possible by a grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy in addition to support from the Maryland State Arts Council.
For accommodation requests, please contact the museum via email or at 301-774-0022