Mennonite Life will offer two workshops that explore the Pennsylvania German art of Fraktur. This type of art was created by Pennsylvania Germans during the 18th through the mid-19th centuries and features calligraphic text decorated with colorful birds, hearts, and flowers.

The first workshop, Fanciful Fraktur Birds, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mennonite Life Community Room, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster. Emily Smucker-Beidler will share information about birds prevalent in southeastern Pennsylvania, and participants will find connections through Fraktur images. They will also learn the origins of the polka-dot, the checkerboard, and various striped patterns in Fraktur. Participants will receive tips for drawing original works in the Fraktur style and then adapt designs from historical works using light boards. Participants will complete a 5-by-7-inch Fraktur bird with provided materials. There is a fee for the workshop. Preregistration is required by Friday, Feb. 11; to register, visit http://bit.ly/FrakturBirds.

Lynn Sommer and Jim King will present the workshop Fraktur & Grain-Painted Frame online via Zoom on Saturday, March 5, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants, working from home, will paint a provided bird and tulip design using traditional colors and techniques. They will grain paint a frame to display their art. Glaze and a picture frame are included in the workshop fee. Participants will need to gather additional required materials. Preregistration is required by Monday, Feb. 21, at http://bit.ly/FrakturFrame.