Community Lantern Building Workshops
September 12-18, 2026
In the week leading up to the Morningside Lights illuminated procession, we come together on the stage of Miller Theatre (116th and Broadway) to build dozens of handmade large-scale lanterns, step by step, layer by layer. Discover the steps of the process below, and sign up for a free workshop to join in collaboration.
Lantern WorkshopS Overview
Lanterns take shape in a collaborative building process from start to finish. Each lantern passes through different hands during the week, highlighting the creativity of its makers at every stage.
Work alongside Morningside Lights’ artistic directors, Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles, innovators in the world of processional art. Workshops are open to anyone, with tasks geared toward older kids (10+) and adults. Please note that all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or authorized chaperone.
No experience is necessary - one will be provided!
Note: The timeline of daily tasks may vary as lanterns progress through each stage. Come ready for anything!
1: Assemble lantern structures from coroplast
2: Cover COROPLAST WITH A base layer of cheesecloth AND GLUE
3: Apply base layer of white tissue to smooth & diffuse Light
4: COMPOSE PATTERN SAMPLE WITH COLORED TISSUE PAPER AND APPLY TO LANTERNS
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 12: 12PM-3PM [FULL] & 3PM-6PM [FULL]
Assemble lantern structures from coroplast.
Sunday, September 13: 12PM-3PM [FULL] & 3PM-6PM [FULL]
Assemble lantern structures from coroplast.
Cover coroplast with a base layer of cheesecloth and glue.
Monday, September 14: 2PM-5PM & 5PM-8PM [FULL]
Cover coroplast with a base layer of cheesecloth and glue.
Apply base blayer of white tissue to smooth and diffuse light.
Tuesday, September 15: 2PM-5PM, 5PM-8PM [FULL], & 8PM-10PM [FULL]
Compose pattern sample with colored tissue paper and apply to lanterns.
Wednesday, September 16: 2PM-5PM & 5PM-8PM [FULL]
Compose pattern sample with colored tissue paper and apply to lanterns.
Thursday, September 17: 2PM-5PM, 5PM-8PM [FULL], & 8PM-10PM [FULL]
Compose pattern sample with colored tissue paper and apply to lanterns.
Friday, September 18: 2PM-5PM [FULL] & 5PM-8PM [FULL]
Compose pattern sample with colored tissue paper and apply to lanterns.