METAL BASKETS WITH ARUNAS OSLAPAS
July 17-19, 2026
Port Orchard, WA
Join artist Arunas Oslapas of Red Rivet Studios for his first ever workshop on how he makes his beautiful metal baskets. In this class you will make one as pictured right and another smaller basket that you can use for utensils or as a vase.
Arunas is already prepping the banding that will rust over the winter. The painted metal colors will be chosen and painted by each artist. We use spray paint to accomplish this.
Skills you will learn - how to paint metal strapping, distress it, riveting and using a plasma cutter. Fun!
Arunas pictured above, painting metal and below, doing the Metal Banding Dance!
This Art Escape includes
Three days instruction by Arunas
Three lunches, one dinner
Lots of materials
The cost of this workshop is $900. A deposit of $500 is due upon registration. The balance is due February 12, 2026.
Port Orchard is the site for the workshop. The location is 9 miles north of Gig Harbor, WA which is listed as one of the most desirable cities in the US to visit (or live). It is located south of Seattle, across the Narrows Bridge on Hwy 16.
The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter stops in Gig Harbor and in Port Orchard.
There are many AirBNBs and B&Bs in the area. A list of accommodations will be provided if requested.
We Will Provide
Banding
Some Paint
Tools for cutting and drilling
Riveter and rivets
Rustoleum Painter's Touch Matte Clear
Surface for Making baskets
Some of the beautiful baskets that Arunas brought to his workshop this year.
Itinerary
Each morning, we will meet in the studio at 9:30 a.m., break for lunch, and then resume working until 4:30 p.m. Saturday night dinner will also be provided. It’s a great time to relax and talk about our class and an added bonus, you can go for a swim in our pool.
Bellissima Art Studio
Arunas taught Industrial Design at Western Washington University for 33 years. His part-time gig is now full time as he weaves metal baskets and metal quilts and sells them in festivals throughout the west. When things get too rainy they pack up the family and head south of the border to dry out. Educationally, he got a few degrees from Montana State University and the University of Illinois. Prior to teaching, Arunas worked for Haworth designing office furniture, a Chicago architectural firm, and has consulted on many products from carbon fiber snowshoes to hog feeders.
Kathie Vezzani who is hosting the workshop, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has over 30 years of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.