FLORAL FLAIR. Alanna Koshollek (left) will host a series of botanical crafting workshops, hosted at SHIFT Coffee Bar in downtown Eau Claire. The first workshop will take place at 6pm on July 23, where attendees can create their own "flower bar" (right). (Images via Facebook)

Several creative opportunities are brewing for aspiring artists in the Chippewa Valley. Starting this summer, SHIFT Coffee Bar (615 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) will host a series of botanical crafting workshops instructed by artist Alanna Koshollek. During these events, Koshollek will lead groups in creating compostable, sustainably-sourced decorations made from vibrant organic materials.

“I don't think of myself necessarily as an artist,” Koshollek said in a recent interview. “I think of myself as a creative person that loves bringing outdoor elements into the indoor space in a way that adds a decorative flare.”

Koshollek’s work draws inspiration from the vivid, rustic imagery of the natural world. Her pieces are primarily made from organic material such as flowers, wood, and leaves. She provides all the tools and materials necessary for each workshop.

The first workshop held at SHIFT this season, involving a “flower bar” project, will take place on July 23 and costs $50 per person. Later in the year, Koshollek has a botanical wall tapestry workshop scheduled on Sept. 17 for $55 per person, and a winter spice wreath workshop slated for Nov. 25 at $50 per person. All workshops will be held in-person at 6pm and can be registered for on SHIFT’s website under the “online shopping” tab.

A frequent visitor to Eau Claire, Koshollek identifies as a SHIFT enthusiast and makes it a point to stop by whenever she’s in town. Earlier this year, she reached out to propose a collaboration between herself and the coffee bar.

"(Guests) are coming for more than just the project – they're coming for the sense of community, the opportunity to be around other creative people."

ALANNA KOSHOLLEK

ARTIST

“I love (SHIFT’s) mission and commitment to sustainability,”  Koshollek said. “I feel like there is alignment in (the coffee bar’s) philosophy and the way that they do their business that I thought could be a good fit.”

Koshollek, who is a conservation worker by day, grows most of her supplies on her farm in rural Jackson County. She purchases additional materials from fellow women growers in her locality.

Koshollek originally hails from the Wausau area, where her parents ran a greenhouse and landscaping business for a number of years. There, they hosted crafting workshops on a regular basis.

“I feel like I've been doing this kind of stuff my whole life in one way or another,” Koshollek explained. “From a young age, my mom always had a kind of a project that we would work on when we came home from school.”

As an adult, Koshollek continued to embody the family tradition. She led her first workshop seven years ago at Elmaro Vineyard in Trempealeau, and has continued to expand her network from there. In addition to an ongoing partnership with the vineyard, she now holds classes year-round in communities across western Wisconsin.

“When I moved over to the western side of the state, I was kind of looking for those creative people,” Koshollek said. “It warms you to create something on your own, especially in a space where there's a lot of cheer with others.”

Koshollek, a conservation worker by trade, blooms many of her botanical supplies on her farm in rural Jackson County. In the chance she purchases additional materials for a project, she sources directly from fellow women growers in her locality. (Image via Facebook)

Lauren Roemhild, arts and events coordinator at SHIFT, said she feels Koshollek’s workshops will complement the venue well.

“I wasn’t familiar with her work before this, but it was a pleasant surprise because I really like what she’s doing,” Roemhild  said. “I’m really excited for the workshops — I think it’s a good fit for (SHIFT).”

In addition to offering workshop attendees the chance to make fun, sustainable decorations, Koshollek said these gatherings help bolster friendships and social interaction.

“(Guests) are coming for more than just the project — they're coming for the sense of community, the opportunity to be around other creative people,”  Koshollek said. “In the end, every person's project ends up looking different and matches their personality and their style.”

Roemhild emphasized that events hosted by SHIFT seek to foster that sense of community in the same way.

“Us doing workshops is a lot about just bringing the community in, being a safe space where everybody’s welcome, and providing cool experiences for people looking for things to do in Eau Claire,” Roemhild said.

While SHIFT hasn’t hosted many crafting events prior to this year, Roemhild said the business looks forward to an ongoing collaboration with Koshollek, with a tentative goal of three to four workshops per year.

“We have a lot of creative people in our community and specifically in our clientele,” Roemhild said. “It’s been a cool thing to bring these types of events to people looking to try something new and make new friends.”

To learn more about Alanna Koshollek’s work, head over to her Facebook page. To sign up for her workshops at SHIFT Coffee Bar (615 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) — or to keep up with other events at the coffee bar — visit their website or social media platforms (@eaushift).