Date & Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026 11:00 am
to 3:00 pm
Venue
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Address
4848 MAIN STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002

Join sculptor, woodworker, and current resident artist Arden Carlson to explore the wonders of carving!

Using a variety of carving tools and a bar of soap, create your own reductive sculpture. Reductive art is the process of removing parts of your base material to shape a form or design. As you remove parts of the soap, you will slowly reveal your design and hone your carving skills.

Carve a rectangular bar of soap into a fish, heart, or even an abstract shape. Soap is a wonderful introductory material for carving because it is soft and accessible for all ages. When you are finished, display your new sculpture or use it in the bath!

Note: Please allow 20-25 minutes to complete this activity. The activity will take place indoors, and is on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

HANDS-ON HOUSTON is a free drop-in event held the first Saturday of every month (except July). Each month, a teaching artist or guild demonstrates a craft related to the current exhibitions. Community members of all ages are welcome to come between 11AM and 3 PM and participate in a 20–25-minute activity. Materials are provided. This program supports HCCC’s mission to inspire and connect people to the art and process of making. Learn more.

 This program was generously supported by Impact100 and Midtown Houston.

More Events

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Celebrate our 25th birthday by making hand-rolled candles!

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Join exhibition co-curators Sarah Darro and Zaynab Hilal for an exhibition walkthrough.

September 19 — October 31, 2026

A combined show and sale exploring the ritual and material poetics of candlelight.

4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is located in the Houston Museum District, two blocks south of Highway 59, near Rosedale St. Visitors should park in the free parking lot located directly behind the building, off Rosedale and Travis Streets, and enter through the back entrance. 

Free Admission

OPEN TUESDAY – SATURDAY, 10 AM – 5 PM

4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is located in the Houston Museum District, two blocks south of Highway 59, near Rosedale St. Visitors should park in the free parking lot located directly behind the building, off Rosedale and Travis Streets, and enter through the back entrance. 

Free Admission

OPEN TUESDAY – SATURDAY, 10 AM – 5 PM