Fine Arts Institute Beginner Tambour Beading Workshop
Discover the haute couture embroidery style used by the top fashion houses of Paris. This gorgeous technique attaches sequins and beads using intricate chain stitches that are perfect for complex designs with a delicate finish. Join Robert Haven as he guides you through the process to create a gorgeous piece that you can later use to make a small accessory or décor item.
This workshop spans both Friday and Saturday. Included in the registration cost is a $45 materials fee. Presented in collaboration with the UK CFA Fine Arts Institute.
About Robert:
An educator since 1973 first as a Jr High School English teacher then after an MA in School and Community Theater from Emerson College,Boston Robert then obtained an MFA in Costume Production and Shop Management form the University of Delaware Professional Theater Training Program, and then joined the theater costume faculty of the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois and most recently retired from the University of Kentucky.
Professor Haven also holds professional certificates in French Haute Couture Embroidery from Lesage & Co in Paris as well as in hand embroidery techniques from the Royal School of Needlework in London England. He has taught a professional training program in tambour beading at the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design and spent 8 summers as a visiting guest artist in the fashion program at the Academy of Art - University in San Francisco. As certified tambour beading instructor, he offers classes in his Lexington KY studio as well as across the US and at the Fashion History Museum in Cambridge Ontario Canada. He has also taught the technique in Mexico City, Modena Italy and the Royal School of Needlework.
He provided all the repairs and maintenance for the collector of the Cher gowns recently exhibited at the Fashion History Museum in Canada and at the 2025 USITT Expo.
He has recently appeared as a guest on two seasons of the PBS show “Fit2Stitch” with Peggy Sager as well as being featured on the Kentucky Life series produced by KET.
The UK CFA Fine Arts Institute
At the Fine Arts Institute, we open our doors to our local artistic community as a place to learn anew or expand on existing creative skills. Our classes and workshops are open to the public, those 18 years and older. Our goal is to provide community learning opportunities that utilize the university’s state-of-the-art facilities. From woodworking, metalworking, ceramics, textiles, digital art, and more, the FAI wants you to push your creative boundaries in our creative setting. All experience levels are welcome.