Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

Title: Traditional Whisk Making with Grace Brogan
Day: December 5th
Time: 10am-3pm
Participants: 10 people, ages 15+
Experience Level: No prior experience necessary
Cost: $125
Website: Grace Brogan

Workshop Description:

Join artist Grace Brogan for a hands-on exploration of the history, materials, and craft of traditional broom making. Participants will begin by exploring Grace’s exhibition and gaining a deeper appreciation for the humble broom as both a functional object and a work of art. Grace brings together broom making mentorship from the upper midwest, Appalachia, and Japan with a fine art background. In the studio, attendees will learn how to make their own traditional hand broom, also known as a whisk, while exploring broomcorn, cordage, and other materials and techniques. We will cover how to add a woven top to their whisk for participants who are interested in such adornment. The artist will provide broomcorn and cordage and each participant will leave with a finished hand broom to take home. 

About the Artist:

Grace Brogan is a Missoula, Montana-based artist working at the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary design. With over 15 years of experience exploring fiber, ceramics, wood, and broom making, her work transforms familiar household objects into thoughtful functional and sculptural pieces. Inspired by the relationship between materials, culture, labor, and the environment, Grace takes a contemporary approach to the centuries-old tradition of broom making. Her work has been exhibited nationally and is held in permanent collections, including the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. In 2025, she received the JRA Craft Award for Excellence in Innovation from the American Craft Council.