Winter's Quiet: Holiday Card Workshop
Stratford Perth Museum - Line 34, Stratford, ON N5A 6S6, Canada
Finding Wonder Through Poetry & Printmaking
No experience required.
Slow down during this busy holiday season and bring your words to life by creating a handcrafted holiday card using the museum’s 250-year-old printing press. This timeless keepsake combines the art of poetry with the craft of traditional printmaking and helps you rediscover the quiet joy of noticing during a time when your to-do list grows longer each day. In this welcoming workshop with award-winning poet Heidi Sander, we’ll explore themes of memory, gratitude, hope, and wonder through simple poetry, creating a meaningful holiday poem that you can share in your holiday cards this year or keep as a personal reflection.
Date: 2 Wednesdays, November 18 & 25, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Price: $75.00 plus tax
What To Bring:
Notebook, journal or computer
Pen or pencil
A favourite poem or short reading that inspires you
An open and curious heart
Optional Supplies:
Preferred paper for the card (no larger than 11×17)
Supplies Provided:
10 Pieces of White Cardstock Paper
Ink (colours Red, Blue, Black, Yellow, Green)
Over 100 text block designs to choose from along with various styles and sizes of lettering
Workshop Leader: Heidi Sander
Multi-award-winning poet, Pushcart Prize nominee, best-selling author and passionate performer Heidi Sander’s poems have appeared in literary journals, anthologies, multiple artistic collaborations and her bestselling poetry collections. Her award-winning poetry book series, Stratford Gems is her love song to Stratford, and her award-winning books, When I Miss You, and Grief & Loss Guided Journal are used in hospice programs. The short film, “How We Live On,” based on her award-winning poem, was featured in the inaugural Stratford Film Festival.
Whether sharing the stage with dancers and musicians, or with aspiring poets and artists, Heidi’s greatest joy is encouraging others to share their voice. She is the founder of Pathways to Poetry Festival, the multimedia online course, “Pathways To Poetry,”, “Canada Is Our Poem” national poetry prize, and co-founder of Stratford’s monthly Community Poetry open mic event. Some of her artistic collaborations benefit Rotary Hospice, Optimism Place and Wellspring Stratford through partnerships with benefactors.
www.instagram.com/heidisanderwriter
What You’ll Learn:
1) Identify and express your own poetic voice with gentle guidance from a supportive instructor
2) Turn thoughts and everyday experiences into simple, meaningful poems
3) Gain confidence exploring your creativity in a relaxed, encouraging environment where sharing is always optional
4) Learn approachable techniques and creative practices to continue writing independently
5) Use a 250-year-old printing press, text, image blocks, and ink to customize your own images on your card
What Makes This Workshop Different?
A hands-on, interactive workshop designed to help you start writing poetry right away, creatively assembled a design using traditional printmaking applications, in a relaxed, encouraging space. Led by a compassionate, inspiring instructor, you’ll explore simple, practical exercises that make it easy to uncover your unique voice and express your thoughts and experiences with confidence.
