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R4U Hub | Shadow as a Medium

  • Rusted Rose Studios LLC @ Route4Us Hub 5160 College Boulevard, Suite 104 Farmington, New Mexico, 87402 United States (map)
Shadow as a Medium workshop graphic featuring a white dimensional canvas with raised paper shapes casting dramatic black shadows. Text reads “Shadow as a Medium — Where light becomes part of the art,” with the Route4Us Hub logo at the bottom.

Shadow as a Medium

Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 11:00 AM –12:00 PM

R4U Hub | 5160 College Blvd, Suite 104, Farmington, NM 87402

Easy | All ages; minors with parent/guardian

$20 | All Materials Included

Move the light. Change the art.

Build the piece. Move the light. Watch the artwork change.

In Shadow as a Medium, the paper shapes are only half the artwork. You’ll create a dimensional canvas with raised forms, then use a movable light source to stretch, distort, overlap, and transform the shadows into a second composition.

What You'll Create

Create a dimensional canvas using mounted paper forms and a light source. Choose from seasonal, nature-inspired, winged, geometric, and abstract shapes, then arrange them at different heights and angles to create shadows that shift as the light moves.

Snowflakes can become long angular forms. Leaves can look like they’re moving in the wind. Wings can stretch across the canvas. Even a simple square can turn into something completely different depending on the angle of the light.

What You'll Learn

  • How light direction and distance change a shadow

  • How height, angle, and spacing affect projection

  • Positive and negative space

  • Layering, overlap, and composition

  • How simple forms can create surprising visual effects

What's Included

  • Canvas and paper materials

  • Pre-cut shape options

  • Mounting supplies

  • Use of lighting tools during the workshop

  • Step-by-step instruction

  • A finished dimensional shadow-art piece to take home

What to Expect

We’ll build the physical composition first, then start moving the light around and discovering what the piece can do. A tiny change in angle or distance can turn a compact shadow into something huge, merge two shapes together, or make an entirely new image appear.

There isn’t one correct final composition. The fun is in experimenting, adjusting, and seeing how many versions of the artwork you can find.

Pre-cut shapes and assisted options are available, and the project can be completed while seated.

Perfect For

  • Families and curious makers

  • Kids who enjoy hands-on S.T.E.A.M. projects

  • Adults who like experimental art

  • Friends, date nights, and creative get-togethers

  • Beginners—no previous art experience needed

Reserve Your Spot

Registration is required so we can have materials ready for every participant. Save your spot ahead of time, then come ready to build, experiment with light, and see what your shadows can do.

Things to Know Before You Register

This is a low-mess workshop. Participants will work with paper shapes, mounting materials, and handheld light sources. Pre-cut shapes, larger shapes, and assisted placement are available for participants who prefer less detailed cutting or assembly.

A huge thank you to Route4Us Hub for giving Rusted Rose Studios a place to grow.

I’m officially based at the Hub now, and I’m incredibly excited to have a home base for workshops, ideas, experiments, and all the weird little things I’m building toward.

This space is an important step in the bigger vision, and I’m grateful to be building alongside people who believe in making room for local ideas to grow.

Come find Rusted Rose Studios at Route4Us Hub. 💛

Can’t Make This Workshop?

Love the project but can’t make this date? Bring the experience to your own group.

Rusted Rose Studios offers private craft parties and custom workshop experiences for friends, families, community groups, and special events.

Upcoming Workshops at R4u

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