2009 Classes                                                       updated 11/05/2008

The curriculum committee has compiled our teachers and the classes for 2009. The list, as always, is made up of local and international teachers, seasoned regulars and ones new to Ft. Worden. It is our goal to offer learning experiences for kitemakers of every skill level to provide a very interesting, educational and fun weekend for all who attend.  Choosing between classes can be a tough decision! Below you will find at least one color photo of each project, links to the teacher's own web pages where possible, and the blurbs here differ from those on the class description portion of the registration packet. 

Ken's 2008 Digital Ohashi class was a favorite among participants. If you missed it, this is your chance to build another unique kite featuring Ken's stunning sublimation-printed sails. What's more, this 'multi-mode' kite transforms in a jiffy from a sedate, stable flier to a dashing Buka fighter kite.

This year the Diva returns to put some 'flare' into your life.  Deb's multi-flare is a great high-flier that is a wonderful canvas for applique, paint or whatever-you'd-like-to-do.  Embellishment will need to be done before the class.

Mark is offering to teach you his "un-corner" kite which is frameless with an X design. If you can't imagine how these three terms could ever go together in a kite, cast your curiosity to the wind, sign up for this class and get answers!

If you like bird kites, this lightweight "Snowy Owl" is for you.  Don't be fooled by the photo; this "little" owl has a 6 foot wingspan! It is made from half ounce ripstop nylon and mostly carbon rods. Paul's goal is for you to put a very light wind kite in your bag that is also a smooth gliding indoor kite.

Take one square piece of fabric, make a few folds, get out your knife and slash it here and there; do a bit of sewing, add the sticks and presto--you have a six foot long winged cellular kite with a box of your own design.

Kathy offers the student an Afghani Fighter kite which she produced in the early 90's but it's your choice on how to fill the 24" format to have your own unique kite.  Plus learn some new techniques from Kathy.

Rainer comes all the way from Germany to teach his exciting new creation. 'So So' is a clever German wordplay: it can mean either 'this way, that way', or 'really?'. Intrigued? Check out the photos and you'll know why.
 

This year Paul offers a beautiful three dimensioned kite that looks so complicated, but isn't. It is an easy to assemble cellular kite that flies very nicely and is easily converted between two configurations.

What can you do with a 15"-18" commercial coffee filter?  The answer, make a kite!  Greg will teach you the traditional Shibori dyeing process and you complete the kite with bamboo framing.

A new teacher for Ft. Worden, Karl will teach his graceful Swan kite which flies as well as the real thing! Build this great kite and learn some new techniques at the same time.

If you saw Tom flying his mini train during meals last year and wanted your own, this is your chance.  If you missed the show, trust us, you will like it!  Spend a few hours with Mr. Highline Kites and come away with a beautiful indoor train of your own.

Did you ever want to let all the good kitemaking dreams through and keep out all those bad kitemaking dreams?  Here's your chance to make a dream catcher to help that happen.

Gerry's 4 hour class is the perfect starting point for all beginner kitebuilders and sewers alike. Learn invaluable hints and tricks and basic must-know kite building information plus come away with a wonderful Gregor Hip Pocket Hybrid sled kite.

Cliff's Modern Marconi is a good flying kite of a shape not often seen. Cliff has taken the old Marconi-jib kite and modernized it, making construction much simpler. You will have a choice of graphics.

If building a kite using sticky tape is a skill you have or want to have, then this class is for you. Dan is offering a neoclassical Cody Varient using Tyvek and plenty of jokes to go along with the assembly. Guaranteed fun class!
 

Celebrate your patriotism with a 14 foot banner representing either the American or Canadian flag. Easy sewing and a bit of appliqué to make this a great looking addition to your beach display. Advanced sewers will have the option of upgrading to make a more difficult "name banner" as in the second photo.

Nigel's eight foot tall kite will fly in very light winds. The framework is very light due to some of Nigel's special techniques. After building this kite you may want to use these techniques for other kites as they work so well.

This is your chance to be in a class that is taught by a expert Japanese kite maker. He will offer several sizes of Koi fish kites made in the tradition of almost every region of Japan. Nobuhiko has studied with other masters to preserve Japanese kite traditions and shares his passion with us.