Collage Jam The Opposite of Lonely

A new class at Arts Benicia is bringing people together twice a month for artmaking, socializing, and informal learning.

It’s called Collage Jam, an event where people gather to create collages using provided or personal materials.

In addition to being a place to create art, Collage Jam fosters community, creativity, fun, improvisation, and connection.

The class originated from a discussion after two artists each gave an informal demonstration on collage techniques. “You know, it would be really nice if we got together regularly for artmaking and learning like this,” one said.

“We started it in July of 2025,” says Peg Jackson, one of the three facilitators who gets supplies ready before class. “We have everything you need – substrates, scissors, tools, glue sticks, and papers. Some people bring things they want to use and things to share. Beth Grimm, [long-time Benicia artist] was moving and gave us her huge stash of supplies, enough to launch the class. Her donation was a fantastic way to start and inspired me to share my stuff as well. At first, I was hesitant to share some of my favorite things with others, but the class helped me see these things as less precious and freed me up to go ahead and play with things I love.”

Collage is an art form in which an artist overlaps pieces of material, such as photographs, fabric, colored and textured paper, and other types of mixed media. The term collage comes from the French term coller, meaning “to glue.” Each artist has their own way of choosing, arranging, and affixing the materials.

Collage Jam currently meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Arts Benicia, located at 1 Commandants Lane, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm.

Members pay $100 for four sessions, while non-members pay $120. Vicki Dennis and Merry Gregg are the other two facilitators. There is no instructor.

“Collage Jam feels like recess for grown-ups,” says Merry Gregg. “Snip, shuffle, surprise yourself. First-timers welcome. Curiosity required. Leave perfection at the door!”

Peg adds, “Mostly it’s around ten or so people that come each time, although we once had seventeen! You have plenty of room to spread out. Nobody’s really teaching, but there’s lots of give-and-take, and we share a lot of information and encouragement. Both men and women are regulars.

“Our conversations are sometimes about the art, and sometimes just about life. I love the buzz of conversation and laughter around me. A lot of times when we do art it feels kind of lonely, and this is the opposite of that. It’s just such positive energy as we get to look at what other people create. It’s everything that I had hoped it would be and I really look forward to going every time.”

Vicki Dennis jumped on board when Peg asked her to participate. “I immediately loved the concept. It’s great to gather with other artists and create art in community with each other. It’s different from a class or workshop, more relaxed in many ways, and feels like a collage artist clubhouse! We work on our pieces individually, but we share ideas, techniques, and materials. It is fun, inspiring and we end up with some really good work.”