Pająki: Traditional Polish Paper Chandeliers | Fibers @ Riverside
Welcome the winter with Riverside!
In this 3-hour workshop, participants will learn the traditional craft of making Pająki, and leave with a completed paper chandelier.
This folk craft comes from old Slavic rituals performed for the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Traditionally, pająki were hung in the home to help to ward off evil spirits during the hard winter season.
“Pająki” (plural) is pronounced “pah-yonk-ee”
“Pająk” (singular) is pronounced “pah-yonk”
Details:
Date and Time: Sunday, November 29, 2026, 1 – 4 pm.
Location: Off Center at Riverside Arts Center in Downtown Ypsilanti.
See the Hours and Locations Page for more information about location and parking.
Age Range: 16+
Cost: $30 per participant
Meet your Instructor – Ruth Marks!
Ruth Marks (she/her) is a maker and educator based in Ypsilanti, MI. Before serving as the founding director of Fly Children’s Art Center, Ruth worked as a visual art educator in public and private elementary schools in Dearborn, Willow Run and Ann Arbor. She is a third generation graduate of EMU with a teaching certificate and BFA. Her award winning sculptures have been shared in galleries around the country. To see her work, visit ruthmarks.com
As the granddaughter of Polish immigrants, Ruth is proud to share her heritage in the community with this traditional decorative paper craft.