Standing Room Only: Sage goes to Connecticut

Sitting in a room full of ribbon, antique lace and sequins, dozens of young girls got a first-hand look at vintage wedding fashion Sunday afternoon during a doll-making workshop at the Greenwich Historical Society.

Kate Brush, 9, was among the young fashionistas looking to learn more about vintage design and work with crafts during the workshop, which was held in partnership with the Perrot Memorial Library.

"I like old-fashioned things," Brush said as she and her mother, Kim, worked to prepare an elegant, white dress with lace accents. "I have paper dolls at home."

Timothy D. Bellavia, an award-winning children's author, illustrator and educator, ran the workshop, challenging those on hand to create a paper doll wedding party in about 30 minutes before he presented the designs on a mini runway.

"This is a hands-on, minds-on approach," Bellavia said. "I want to have the kids think this out and problem-solve."

Bellavia recently presented his doll-making curriculum on the International Day of Tolerance at the United Nations on behalf of the "We Are Family Foundation" and works with the New York City Department of Education to teach cultural diversity through integration of the arts. A coordinator at Perrot Library saw the event in New York and wanted to bring it to Greenwich, he said.

The workshop was in keeping with the vintage wedding-themed exhibition at the Greenwich Historical Society, "From This Day Forward: Looking Back at Greenwich Weddings." That exhibit features pictures as well as dresses worn in different eras by Greenwich residents.

Jaime Villaneda, director of education for the Greenwich Historical Society, said organizers from Perrot Library thought the historical society would be a good place to host it because of the exhibition.

"It is a great idea," Villaneda said. "We like our exhibition to be seen by as many people as possible."

The historical society held two workshops Sunday, with the hour-long programs starting at 2 and 3 p.m.

Rebecca Blackshaw, an Old Greenwich resident who moved here from the United Kingdom two years ago, said she and her daughter, Mim, 5, were excited to learn more about fashion.

"I am really interested in vintage fashion," Blackshaw said. "And Mim loves making paper dolls."

Some dads attended the event with their daughters, including Keith Sernick and his daughters, Cloey, 5, and Katharine, 3.

"I am just here to spend some time with them," Sernick said. "And to get them some time away from their four brothers."

Editing: Harry HK Cut

Music: Sherlie Matthews

Art Direction: Wayland TIMM-E

Special thanks to Jeanne McNaney, the Perrot Memorial Library and GHS.

For more information visit: www.weareallthesameinside.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• perrot memorial library
• greenwich
• connecticut
• timothy d. bellavia
• sage doll
• sherlie matthews
• greenwich historical society