Among the Trees: Crafting Kinship at Camp UniStar

Among the Trees: Crafting Kinship at Camp UniStar
Program Leader: Shanai Matteson

Spend a week creating journals, prints, flags, quilt blocks, and more in this robust Artist Residency, with nature-inspired, hands-on projects for all ages that will deepen your connection to the land, community, and shared stories.

Hand-made journals, nature prints, kinship flags, fabric dyeing, and pop-up printmaking—spend a week with rural community artist Shanai Matteson exploring art, craft, and storytelling “among the trees” at Camp UniStar! Each day offers hands-on projects inspired by the natural world, from sketching and printmaking to sewing and dyeing, all while reflecting on your connection to the land, community, and family stories. During this exciting Artist Residency at camp, Matteson will introduce hands-on activities for youth in collaboration with staff, and a creative art-making space for adults in the afternoon or evening that includes guided conversation.

By week’s end, you’ll have a collection of journals, prints, flags, and quilt blocks—some to take home, some to leave at camp—wrapped up with a storytelling circle celebrating new creations, new connections, and the joy of making together.

Shanai Matteson is a writer, artist, and cultural organizer who lives and works in the rural community where her family has been for over 100 years. Since moving back to Palisade in 2020 with her two children, she has been active in local arts and environmental justice projects, including Fire in the Village with artist Annie Humphrey.