Pajaki Workshop: Bringing Light Into the Dark Season

Teetotal Initiative is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)3 non-profit focused on individuals committed to a sober lifestyle.Teetotal Initiative’s inclusive and sober-focused high-quality programming addresses some of the most common causes of relapse - isolation, boredom, and loneliness. Our mission is to help individuals to sustain sobriety. Our goal is to enhance quality of life and support relapse prevention through free events, activities, and high-quality programming.​As the first-of-its-kind recreational sober community, Teetotal Initiative inspires a stigma-free and celebratory social atmosphere, promoting meaningful sobriety and community opportunities for all, regardless of their journey to recovery. We welcome all forms of recovery and are not aligned to any specific program. Teetotal Initiative does not provide support groups or professional medical services. Instead, we care for the “rest of life” that happens outside of formal treatment and group support and are a complement to anyone’s recovery toolbox.

Teetotal Initiative

Join our Creative Kaleidoscope series to craft a traditional Polish pająki—mindful, light-filled making for the winter season.

Dormont Public Library

Pająki&nbsp;Workshop: Bringing Light into the Dark SeasonJoin us for a hands-on pająki-making workshop inspired by a traditional Polish folk practice created to bring light, movement, and care into the darkest months of the year.&nbsp;Pająki&nbsp;are delicate, hanging ornaments traditionally made for winter holidays, meant to quietly animate a space as they respond to air and light.In this workshop led by artist, printmaker, and professor Martyna Matusiak, participants will work with simple, tactile materials such as tissue paper, straw, thread, and lightweight decorative elements to create a small&nbsp;pająki&nbsp;of their own. The process is intentionally slow and repetitive, inviting focus, presence, and a sense of calm. Rather than rushing toward a finished object, the emphasis is on mindful making, attentiveness to materials, and the quiet satisfaction of working with the hands.No prior experience is necessary. All materials will be provided, and each participant will leave with a finished pajaki ready to hang at home. This workshop offers a gentle pause during a busy season, creating space for reflection, warmth, and shared creativity.Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon. Bring your curiosity, your hands, and a willingness to slow down and make something light-filled.Date and Time:&nbsp;Saturday, January 24th, 2026 from 1:30-4:00 pmLocation:&nbsp; Keith Seminar Center, Dormont Public Library,&nbsp;2950 W Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216Instructor Bio: Martyna Matusiak is a Polish-born artist, printmaker, and professor of art with a PhD in Fine Arts and Conservation. She teaches printmaking and design at&nbsp;West Liberty University and regularly leads community workshops that draw from material traditions, handmaking, and cultural memory.

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Pajaki Workshop: Bringing Light Into the Dark Season

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Pajaki Workshop: Bringing Light Into the Dark Season

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