Handmade Clay Altars: Sacred Spaces Across Cultures

​Taught by Muriel, students will hand sculpt a small clay altar while learning about the role of altars and sacred spaces across Indigenous, BIPOC, and diasporic traditions. We’ll learn about how altars can serve as spaces for remembrance, ancestors, spirituality, and personal reflection, with room for participants to create something meaningful to their own practice & beliefs.

​About Your Instructor:

​Azadi Folk School’s 2026 Artisan-In-Residence, Muriel Wickman, is a Filipino-American artist whose work blends timeless, traditional designs with modern botanical inspiration. Her practice centers on honoring the cultural history of folk art and craft.

​Muriel is working on a Bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in studio art, and aims to pursue a Master’s in Art Therapy. For her fellowship at Azadi Folk School, she’ll be focusing on teaching Filipino folk art, henna, and working with organic materials like wool, natural dyes, plant fibers, and shells. She will also be researching how craft can help BIPOC communities process climate grief within practices of decolonization and trauma healing, alchemizing complex emotions into joy, fulfillment, and purpose.