Workshop & Lectures
Mixed Media fiber artist and educator Leora Raikin is a keynote international speaker, author of “ Safari through African Folklore Embroidery'' and co author of “ Documenting History through Art.(www.davidlabkovskiproject.org) She is the founder of African Folklore Embroidery and the founder of the educational non-profit the David Labkovski Project (www.davidlabkovskiproject.org . Leora lectures and exhibits throughout the United States as well as in Mexico, Lithuania and South Africa and Europe.
Her lectures focus on using art as a tool to educate combining her passion for African tribal art along with her deep connection to her original roots in Lithuania and South Africa and commitment and passion for meaningful Holocaust education through art. In June 2019, Raikin was honored by the city of Los Angeles for her commitment and dedication to using the art of David Labkovski to educate audiences about the Holocaust. As an educator, artist, author, and the founder of the David Labkovski Project, she teaches students about the Holocaust and Jewish life in Eastern Europe through the artwork of Labkovski.
The David Labkovski Project’s multidisciplinary and project based educational program of which Raikin is a co creator has been successfully implemented in schools across the United States, Lithuania, and Mexico.
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Leora Raikin has served as a keynote speaker at prestigious universities such as Chapman University, West Point Military Academy United States Military, and the American Jewish University.She has guest lectured on Uniworld Riverboat Cruises on the Rhine River and the Danube River.
Leora’s work has been featured in solo exhibits,Slutzky Art Gallery, Irvine, The Gatov Gallery, Long Beach, and Calabasas Artist Alley and joint art exhibits at the Platt & Borstein Gallery, Los Angeles,Leora served on the teaching faculty for Road to California ( 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) as well as curated an exhibit of African Folklore Embroidery art with her work being exhibited in the teachers gallery section.
Leora received first place in the Evva Vale Community Art Show, 2019 and her work was featured in the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, African American Heritage Month Calendar Guide, 2019 and 2020. She serves as an artist in residence for camps and organizations teaching and lecturing on several subjects through art. .
All lectures- Virtual and in person
Safari through African Folklore Embroidery
Virtually travel with Leora to Africa as you explore South African tribal art , culture and wildlife through stitching and art and the various techniques used to complete an African Folklore Embroidery design.
Workshops - in person or virtual
Options 90 minutes or 3 hours
African Folklore Embroidery - Learn the following techniques to complete an African Folklore Embroidery kit- chain stitch, Mola Barbara interweaving techniques, satin stitch, French knots and criss cross Herringbone stitch with couching
Beaded African Safari- learn basic stitches as well as embellishment techniques to incorporate beads, buttons and fabric
Aplique the African Folklore Embroidery way- Fusing quilting, applique, stitching and fiber art to create a mixed medium African Folklore Embroidery kit.
The only material needed for workshops is a kit- Kits include all threads and needle and can be purchased before the class or workshop at www.aflembroidery.com
For more information please email Leora @ info@aflembroidery.com
Leora Raikin is passionate about using art to engage, enrich and educate audiences. She has served as a keynote speaker at:
African American Quilt Guild, Amador Valle Quilt Guild, Antelope Valley Quilt Guid, Big Bear ValleyChapman University, West Point Military Academy United States Military, Lithuanian National Library, Jewish American Holocaust & Literature Symposium,Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, Durban Holocaust Museum, Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Center,American Jewish University, Uniworld River boat Cruises, Loyola Marymount University, Santa Barbara Jewish Community Center, Irvine Merage Jewish Community Center, Uniworld- River Rhine Cruise- Europe, Long Beach Jewish Community Center,Arizona, East Valley Jewish Community Center,WIZO Johannesburg and Cape Town, Sacramentao Embroidery Guild, Pomengranite conference Arizona & Simi Valley, Coachella Valley QUilt Guild, Camarillo Quilters Guild, Minnesota Emborideyr Guild, Empire Quilters Guild , NY , Houston Inernational Quilt Show- teaching faculty, Chicago Interantioanl Quilt Show, teaching faculty, San Fernando Valley quilt Guild, Wearable Art connection, Ventura Weaving and Fiber Art Guild, Santa Babrara Fiber Art Guild, Glendale Quilt Guild, Embroidery guild association, CA, Redlands Citrus Belt Quilt Guild, Quilters by the sea.
Fusing creative worlds through fiber art and stitchery- from Lithuania to South Africa to America. The traveling historical quilt with thousands of stitches.
Documenting History through art & Stitching From Vilna Lithuania to South Africa to Israel
Leora Raikin, founder and executive Director of the DLP and great niece of artist David Labkovski will present the lecture “ documenting history through art” that shares the course of the artist’s life, her personal connection and the creation of the David Labkovski Project educational program for students and audiences of all backgrounds and how she has combined her two art world through switching and threads. Audiences will learn to read and interpret Labkovski art, understand the meaning of tones, brushstroke, color and shading and the use of threads and fibers to to illustrate emotion, density, space, shadows theme and personal and historical influences and how these techniques can be incorporated with threads.
The image painted by my great uncle,Lithunauan Jewish artist David Labkovski that as a child hung on the living room walls have been indelibly inked on my mind- specifically the painting of life in Vilna Lithuania before the Holocast- I decided to recreate using my preferred art medium threads & Fibers. Each stitch along with researching the personal history of the people and buildings and people along with a recent tour of the city eternally connects me in a tangible and physical manner.
What people are saying about the new lecture:
A 'virtual' visual experience in sight taste, Denise, B South Africa
This is an amazing way to share history, art, stitchery and quilting- I learnt so much, Kathy M, Minnesota
Leora, thank you so much for your impressive and engaging presentation this morning. The artwork and your understanding of the pieces was amazing. I gained a new understanding of history through this art and learning how to interpret it.
Your Zoom presentation was inspirational.Your passion for art and needlework, connected with David Labkovski’s art, create an unique medium for education of the next generation.
You have created new avenues to support the importance of remembrance from generation to generation. I look forward to continuing to learn with you., Gloria, T Toronto, Canada
Thank you for sharing with us a meaningful program yesterday. Not only was it a wonderful artistic experience, but also historical. Thank you again.
Thank you Leora!!! You were wonderful and perfect!!! Bonnie V, Los Angeles
