University of Atlantia

Recreating Mira Calligraphiae: underpainting fundamentals. This is class is an introductory-level course on underpainting technique. Underpainting is a term that is widely used to describe any layers of paint prior to the final visible layers. This technique helps add layers of dimension, and makes paintings appear realistic. Students please bring your own painting surfaces and paint. Paints are preferred either watercolor, gouache, oil, acrylic.

The Astrolabe is an astronomical instrument used to calculate the positions of the stars in the sky. Appearing before 100 BCE, it was developed significantly in the early medieval Islamic world and proliferated throughout Africa, Europe, and India. Astrolabes are a visible part of a deep tradition of science and mathematics that was known before the Middle Ages. The breadth of locations where astrolabes were constructed shows just how widespread this learning was. The astrolabe was often combined with other instruments and so could be used for many types of calculations. Metal astrolabes also became status symbols, and the beauty of their mathematical patterns were embellished by instrument makers to produce works of art that survive to this day. We’ll look at animations of the night sky to see the world as the ancient astronomers did. We’ll see the transformation of the sky that the astrolabe employs and see a bit of the mathematics necessary to construct it. We’ll see how to use an astrolabe, and how similar devices are still used today. Finally, we’ll do a survey of some interesting and beautiful examples of astrolabes from history. It’s not necessary to have an astrolabe for the class, but if you would like to play along at home, instructions for making a paper astrolabe can be found on Master Richard Wymarc’s excellent site: https://www.astrolabeproject.com/constructing-an-astrolabe/

A discussion on the styles and trends from the 1490's to the end of the SCA period with some hints and techniques to create your own Venetian garb.

Learn proven methods of resolving conflict between two people, both as a participant and a mediator. You will be able to take home two simple processes that can be used to facilitate a conversation between two people intending to clear up a conflict. Examples will be given and at least one practice conversation will be done during class. Methods based on the Clearing Model from Woman Within International with additional material from the book Crucial Conversations. The SCA Anti-Bullying Policy has brought to light the importance of resolving conflicts ourselves before harsh consequences result. SCA members, officers, and leaders of all kinds can benefit from using these methods. I learned these techniques from over 20 years working as a volunteer officer and participant in the Woman Within program (www.womanwithin.org) and close ties with the ManKind Project program (www.mkp.org).

This class will familiarize students with lore concerning gems, jewels, and minerals in the medieval era. This includes beliefs regarding them and their "effects", where they were (or were thought to be) found, and interesting tidbits regarding specific examples. I will have examples of many of the gems and minerals to show online for the camera.

Let my decades of experience with the art of woad help expand your artistic toolbox and demystify the process. •WE WILL COVER• -The art of the early British Isles, looking for ideas and context -Methods to visually break down what we're seeing -Best practices for placement. •THE MISSION• By the end, I hope you'll feel more prepared to face the daunting stare of the blank canvas, feel able to enjoy the alchemy of turning flat reference into 3D art, and—most of all—feel ready to decorate your community with beautiful, celebratory woad. •MATERIALS• -Drawing utensil(s) and paper, or body paint and a friend -Printed worksheets (to be provided before class) • [This class will not be recorded.]

At the northern edge of the Sahara desert, the medieval oasis of Sijilmassa developed into a major hub of trade between Africa, Europe, and Asia. This class will cover the history of the city, highlighting cultures and industries that defined the region. We will also delve into the pioneering water management, minting, farming, and manufacturing techniques employed by people in the surrounding Tafilalt Oasis. Culturally, this class will focus on the indigenous Amazigh/Berber populations, but we will also touch on Arab, West African, and Iberian influences.

One of the first questions asked when meeting new people in the SCA is often, “And what is your persona?” In this class, we will explore a bit about what persona is, choosing a persona, how one builds and develops a persona, and various ways to bring persona into your everyday SCA. This class will be recorded.

Learn where to start serving as a Minister of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) for your local SCA group. Class will cover the Handbook for MOASs, the resources available for MOASs, guidance on how to implement tasks and fulfill requirements, plus plenty of time for Q&A. Class will be recorded and published after University.

We'll look at a few recipes, multiple sources, and interpretations across cultures. This class is aimed at those thinking about picking up a period recipe for the first time and getting an idea of what to look for, ingredients to avoid, easy substitutions for ingredients we can't find anymore, and preparing a dish pleasing to a modern palate.

Whether you are new baronage, a scribe, wordsmith, or want to submit awards, this class is for YOU!! Let's face it, Atlantia has ridiculously AMAZING scribes who spend a lot of time on their art. As a territorial baroness I found that scribes who did things for me were spending so much time researching the people they were preparing awards for that they didn't have as much time to spend on their art. Additionally, award recommendations weren't always helpful and often didn't know who sent them! This class will build on the work done by Meisterin Kolfina Valravn, Master Ishmael Steadfast Reed, and other amazing scribes along with a lot of experience I gained as a wordsmith, baroness, and scroll requester. We will cover tips and tricks for baronage or anyone who is requesting a scroll to be made - how to set things up and what to include. We will also cover what to do when you write an award, The goal is to help our scribes, give better award recommendations, and ultimately provide the award recipient with special recognition!

What did people know about astronomy in the Middle Ages? What would your SCA persona have known? How would astronomy have fit into their world view? It likely would have been more than just the use of “astrology” as we would define it today (that is, using the positions of objects in the sky for divination). Many of our personas, even going back to early in period, would have had knowledge of astronomy, sometimes more than many people know today. Later, astronomy was considered an important part of the education of a refined person. We’ll discuss what was known at the time, how that knowledge was developed, why it was considered important, and how it was shared through education and writing. We’ll hear some examples of historic people, and in particular learn about the peculiar case of the Danish nobleman-astronomer, Tycho Brahe.

Through the ages of signing in history, different ways to communicate to one person to another.

An overview of plain weave including warping a loom, how to weave, non loom options, and pattern basics. (The class will be recorded)

Rome, as both a city and an empire, was built, fed and maintained by a multitude of people who were not regarded, or recorded, as people. In this class, we will discuss how the social and economic practices of enslavement permeated and shaped Roman life. We will also discuss the various attitudes about slavery among Roman people, so that those with Roman personas can explore what their personas might have thought. Lecture is 1.5 hours, with the last half-hour for Q&A. The outline is viewable at (and printable from, for those who wish it) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zN4iCN6psuA6G6qaZJbPJG4mBYRpcI6v54Fg14VsGOg/edit?usp=sharing

For those who have tried making cheese and run into an issue they would like help with, or those who would like to discuss how they solved a problem they experienced. All are welcome, but some experience making any type of cheese is recommended.

This is a class designed to assist those living with dyslexia to learn the art of calligraphy.

An Overview of Mining and Metallurgy in Period Times: This class will give an overview of mining and basic metallurgical practices in period times, from the Greeks and Romans to 1600. Emphasis will be placed on Biringuccio's "Pirotechnica" and Georgius Agricola's "De Re Metalllica."

I will demonstrate my process of painting on fabric: working with modern acrylic craft paint and textile medium. The process is done primarily with a paint brush, but can be used for all forms of painting on fabric.