Design A Shrine

This activity is part of the PMA’s virtual April School Vacation Week.

Inspired by Carrie Moyer & Sheila Pepe: Tabernacles for Trying Times
Activity created by Rachel Somsel Kobasa

Most of us have something—a person, an idea, a practice, or an object—that we consider to be sacred or special. With this special activity with PMA educators and guest teaching artist Rachel Kobasa, you can build a space to honor it. We'll be folding small boxes and then filling them with images, ideas, or words that relate to the things we hold dear to us. All that is required is knowing what you love, a little creativity, and a few basic materials!.

Materials Needed

  • Square paper if you are making an origami box (12 x 12” works best, or you can cut any paper into a square)

  • Other materials to be used as the structure of your shrine (small cardboard box, milk carton, take-out food container, etc.)

  • Paper or magazines for collaging

  • Scissors

  • Glue

  • Markers, paint, crayons (if you’d like to add some color)

  • String or yarn (optional)

  • Any other material you’d like to add to create your shrine

 

Instructions

  • Gather your materials

  • A shrine is a contained, sacred space dedicated to a person, idea, or event. It often contains images or objects that represent what or whom the shrine is for. Think about what you’d like your shrine to be about. Is it for a person you admire? Your favorite food? A feeling, like love?

  • Grab a piece of big paper (12 x 12” or whatever size you can find) and fold it into a box, using the directions here.

  • Use magazines and paper to cut out images and glue them into the box, or draw directly onto the box using markers or paint, or make something out of string to add. There is no limit!

  • You can also add meaningful objects that you have around the house to your shrine such as a marble or a toy car.

Share

  • Share with us! Show us your Shrine! Tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #artathome

  • Share with someone else, either in person or snap a photo and send it to someone!

 Rachel Somsel Kobasa is an artist living and working in Portland, Maine. Mostly a printmaker, her studio home base is Pickwick Independent Press. She has an affinity for letters, flat on the page or lit up in neon, and believes in the power of printed material in the public eye. She also spends time painting signs, making natural dyes, repairing clothes, and eating sandwiches.

She is also currently selling some of her prints, along with other talented artists at Pickwick: https://www.pickwickindependentpress.com/shop

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