Completing the Loop

The JUMP team shows off some Hula Hoops made in the workshop

Author : Kyle, MAKE Studio Technician

On October 23rd, Krissy Humphreys hosted a whirl of a workshop in JUMP’s MAKE studio, teaching attendees how to construct and wrap their own hula hoops. She believes in the transformative power of movement and prop-based flow arts, having performed in hundreds of shows and taught classes around the globe. As the Regional Contact for Burning Man, she helps build a community around this love of movement and jumpstarts their journey with the gift of their own hula hoop.

Constructing the Hula Hoop is a simple task and yet there is plenty of room for creative expression and fine-tuned adjustments to match a hoop to each person and artistic style. Workshop participants start by choosing between two diameters of tubing for their hoop and then cutting it to the desired length. Larger diameters for both the tubing and the hoop make it easier to keep the hula hoop in the air. After we drill a couple of holes into the tubing and install some hardware, our hoops are well on their way to a fun and glitzy life.

Choosing the combination of tapes to wrap the hoop with truly makes the hoop your own. I personally choose a striking yellow and dark black. There is a bit of a learning curve when you first start wrapping. Keeping a consistent angle and gap with your tape is a little tricky but gets easier with practice. Under Krissy’s tutelage, by the end of the workshop all of us had a bright, glittering hoop to show off (and constantly drop to the floor while my enthusiasm was tempered by my arrhythmic hips). Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll improve my hooping skills by attending Krissy’s other workshop, Spin Jams. In that workshop she shows people how to use hula hoops and other props for movement based art. Stop by either workshop and try something new at JUMP!

P.S. you might just see a Hula Hooping chicken!

A chicken with a black and red hula hoop