Together, we make light through darkness, no matter how dark it gets!

This year, we could not be more excited to learn about a new lantern-crafting medium with you. Introducing Hillsborough Arts Council’s first-ever Felting Lantern Workshop:

Sunday, November 16, 2025, 1-3 PM, at the Snow Approach Foundation.

This workshop is intended to prepare you for the 2025 Solstice Lantern Walk & Market on Saturday, December 20, from 5-8 PM, at Hillsborough’s Farmers Market Pavilion! Find ongoing updates on all things Solstice at www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/solstice or by signing up for HAC e-newsletters at www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/newsletter.

Our Workshop Teaching Artist: Mary Longhill

Mary is both a local artist and market vendor featured at various local arts markets. You can find Mary featured next at the Saxapahaw Holiday Market on Dec 6-7, 2025. Mary has been felting for 10 years, and she owns and operates Hidden Spring Farm in Snow Camp, North Carolina. Hidden Spring Farm raises Leicester Longwools, a beautiful heritage breed of sheep. This critically endangered, dual-purpose breed grows the lustrous, long, and curly wool prized by handspinners. Hidden Spring Farm humanely raises healthy sheep with beautiful fleeces for dyed locks and roving, hand-dyed and handspun yarn, and Mary’s many felted wool creations.

Cost per participant (Ages 12+): $25 + $10 for supplies

In this workshop, you’ll learn about the art of wet felting while creating a one-of-a-kind glowing lantern! Transform natural wool fibers into soft felt using simple techniques of layering, soaping, and shaping. Then, you’ll craft your felted piece into a sculptural lantern illuminated from within by a gentle LED light. Perfect for beginners and seasoned makers alike, leaving you with a beautiful, functional artwork to light up your home and Hillsborough’s Solstice Lantern Walk!

What to Bring:

1 bar of soap

2 bath towels
Note: These will be wet by the end of class. We recommend bringing a plastic bag to transport them back home.

1 medium ~12" circumference bowl, preferably non-breakable

(Optional) embellishment fibers - Things like thin wool or silk yarn to add, or viscose, silk tops, sari silk waste, bamboo tops, wool nepps, etc.

All other supplies, including wool and LED light, will be provided! All lanterns are intended for use with battery-powered LED mini lights.

*Proceeds from 2025 Lantern Workshops benefit the Hillsborough Arts Council, supporting continued access to community arts programming and opportunities for local artists!

CREDIT LINE: HAC is grateful for the generosity of our local funding agencies, sponsors, and individual donors who help fulfill our mission of advocating for local artists and providing access to inclusive community arts programming in Hillsborough, NC. Solstice Lantern Walk & Market is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of National and Cultural Resources. Additional support for this program is provided by the Hillsborough Tourism Board, the Town of Hillsborough.

Solstice Lantern Felting Workshop with Mary Longhill

Join us to explore a new medium in HAC's first-event Felting Lantern Workshop!