Saturday, May 11 marked the celebration of World Collage Day 2024 at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Local artists Shelley Mangold and Jean Hess, along with A1LabArts board member Bob Thompson, hosted a workshop that invited participants of all artistic levels to join in the collage-making party. The event was inspired by Kolaj Magazine’s annual international celebration of collage, which takes place on the second Saturday of May each year.
Shelley Mangold was inspired to bring the celebration to Knoxville after attending a similar workshop in Lisbon, Portugal the previous year. The workshop was free to attend and all materials were provided, making it accessible to anyone who wanted to participate. No previous experience in collage-making was required, making it an inclusive and welcoming event for all.
The initiative to bring World Collage Day to Knoxville allowed for a day of artistic expression and community connection, highlighting the power of art to bring people together. Although the event was free, participants had the opportunity to donate to Bridge Refugee Services, showing support for the local community. The workshop provided a creative space for individuals to come together, share stories through collage, and celebrate the art form.
