Green Workshops

In our continuing effort to create a "green," environmentally friendly festival environment and to expand the type of participatory cultural activities available at the festival, we offer an introductory workshop in straw bale and clay/adobe building design by the internationally renowned husband and wife team of Bill and Athena Steen.

The Steen's workshop will be held at San José's oldest home, the Peralta Adobe where last year they constructed a traditional adobe oven (horno), installed an earth floor and rehabilitated some of the Peralta’s existing lime plaster using a traditional Mexican technique of combining the gel of the prickly pear cactus (nopal) with lime.

No need to register for this workshop, just drop by at any point during their work schedule to watch them in action, ask questions, and even lend a helping hand! Presented in partnership with History San José.

Thursday, September 24th and Friday, September 25th
10am – 5pm
Peralta Adobe
175 West Saint John Street
San José, CA 95110

The Steens run The Canelo Project, a non-profit environmental group in southern Arizona, and they have spent many years working both in Mexico and the United States to teach folks about the benefits of building with straw bale and adobe: traditional building techniques that have been in use in Mexico for hundreds of years. With high energy costs and the need to use eco-friendly and sustainable construction design, straw bale has seen a resurgence in recent years. The Steens' workshop at San José's historic Perlata Adobe will provide a learning opportunity for anyone interested in this method of construction, as well as the many ways it may be adapted to create beautiful art objects and furniture.