Create Your Own Felted Ornament or Figurine

July 21 - 23

1:30pm - 3:30pm

In this engaging three-day workshop (two hours per session), students will explore the creative and tactile art of needle felting.

From building a wire armature to sculpting with wool, this course offers a hands-on introduction to a wide range of needle felting techniques, culminating in the creation of a small, fully formed felted figure which will be perfect as an ornament, bag charm, or keychain.

We’ll begin with an overview of the materials and methods used in needle felting, including the various types of wool, needles, and support tools. Students will learn how to create a simple wire skeleton as the base for their sculpture, then begin the process of shaping and refining the form with layers of wool.

Instruction includes:

• Introduction to needle felting tools, materials, and safety
• Creating and shaping a wire armature (skeleton)
• Building form and volume with core wool
• Using different felting techniques for surface detail and texture
• Exploring finishing touches, including color accents and embellishments

Session Breakdown:

• Day 1: Introduction to needle felting; wire armature construction; beginning to build the core form
• Day 2: Sculpting the main body and developing the shape
• Day 3: Adding surface details, color, and finishing techniques

By the end of the workshop, each student will have created a small, expressive felted object and gained an understanding of the wide spectrum of creative possibilities this medium offers. Whether whimsical, realistic, or abstract, the final piece will reflect each student's unique approach and style.

This class is beginner-friendly and open to all levels. All materials will be provided.

Create Your Own Hand-Painted Decorative Plate

July 28-30

1:30pm - 3:30pm

In this three-day, hands-on workshop (two hours per session), students will design and paint their own ceramic plate using bisque-fired pottery and ceramic underglaze paints. The process begins with creating a personal design as a drawing, which will then be transferred and painted onto the ceramic surface.

Students will be introduced to the unique techniques and materials used in ceramic painting, including how underglaze paints behave, how to work on curved surfaces, and how to develop a design that fits the circular form of a plate.

Workshop instruction includes:

• Creating a custom design through guided drawing exercises
• Learning the properties of ceramic surfaces and underglaze paints
• Transferring original artwork onto a bisque-fired plate
• Applying paint in layers for bold color and fine detail
• Balancing composition and form on a decorative object

Session Breakdown:

Day 1: Introduction to materials and techniques; sketching and finalizing the design.

Day 2: Transferring the design and beginning the painting process.

Day 3: Completing the painting with detailing and final touches.

After the workshop, all plates will be collected and professionally kiln-fired by an outside vendor. Once fired, students will receive their own finished ceramic plate—a vibrant, personalized piece ready to display or use.

Create a family portrait from a photograph with acrylic paint. 

Dates: August 4-7

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm

This four-session workshop invites students to explore the versatile medium of acrylic paint by creating a family portrait from a photograph. Ideal for beginners and intermediate painters alike, this course emphasizes foundational techniques in acrylic painting while guiding students through the process of developing a meaningful and personal artwork.

Acrylics offer the flexibility of quick drying times, ease of layering, and vibrant color possibilities—distinct from oils, which allow for extended blending and slower drying. The course begins with an overview of acrylic techniques and a discussion of key differences between acrylics and oils, helping students understand the unique strengths of this medium.

Students will prepare a gridded photocopy of their chosen family photograph, a classic method for achieving proportional accuracy when enlarging images onto canvas. Through preparatory sketching and color studies, participants will analyze relationships between values and tones, laying the groundwork for a successful painting.

Instruction includes:

• Sketching small color studies to explore color harmony and relationships.
• Preparing an underpainting to establish tonal values and guide the composition.
• Transferring outlines and composition onto the canvas with accuracy and intention.
• Building the painting layer by layer—working from shadow to light and gradually introducing color to bring the portrait to life.

Over the course of four three-hour sessions, students will receive step-by-step instruction, individualized feedback, and structured exercises designed to build confidence and skill. By the final session, each participant will complete a portrait that captures the essence of their subject—an artwork to be proudly displayed at home.

This course offers a structured yet creative environment, blending classical methods with a contemporary subject matter. It provides the kind of disciplined training found in our adult programs while encouraging personal expression and storytelling through paint.

Create artwork using acrylic painting techniques combined with collage-style composition.

Dates: August 11-14

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm

In this four-session workshop, students will create a personal, layered artwork using acrylic painting techniques combined with collage-style composition. Working from their own photographs, participants will explore how to tell visual stories through structured layering and intentional design.

The course begins with an introduction to acrylics—covering brushwork, layering, color mixing, and how to use the medium’s quick-drying nature to your advantage. Acrylic’s versatility makes it perfect for building up a composition in clearly defined stages, offering both control and freedom for creative exploration.

Through small studies and planning exercises, students will break their painting into conceptual “layers”: a background environment, secondary characters or objects, and the central subject in the foreground. Each element will be approached with attention to harmony, color, and visual rhythm.

Workshop highlights:

• Learning key acrylic painting techniques with a focus on collage-inspired layering.
• Sketching and testing compositions before committing to canvas.
• Transferring and integrating photographic references into a unified artwork.
• Building the piece from back to front—layer by layer—to form a thoughtful and cohesive image.
• Guidance on how to incorporate visual elements from different environments and sources into a harmonious composition.

Throughout the course, students will be supported in making meaningful creative choices, combining personal imagery into a modern, expressive painting that captures multiple facets of life experience.

Creating a still life composition with fresh flowers using acrylic paint.

Dates:   August 28-31

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm

This four-session workshop focuses on capturing the beauty of fresh flowers in a still life composition using acrylic paint. Working first from life and later from photographs, students will explore foundational acrylic techniques while learning to observe form, structure, light, and shadow in everyday subjects.

We’ll begin with a hands-on introduction to the properties of acrylic paint—fast drying, versatile, and ideal for layered work. Students will engage in preparatory studies and composition sketches to plan their still life layout thoughtfully before moving to canvas.

Starting with a bouquet of live flowers, we’ll practice direct observation and sketching to understand organic shapes, overlapping forms, and the interplay of color. We’ll then shift to working from reference photographs, which allow for greater control and detail over time.

As a group, we’ll discuss stylistic direction—whether to pursue a traditional, classical approach or something more modern and expressive. Each student is welcome to follow their own creative vision within the broader framework of still life composition.

Instruction includes:

• Building a composition through sketches and color studies.
• Underpainting to block in values and set structure.
• Layering acrylic paint to develop form, from shadow to highlight.
• Adding refinement and detail to complete the piece.

Students will be guided through observing light direction, subtle shifts in tone, and how to convey dimensionality through brushwork and color. Emphasis will be placed on translating what we see into expressive yet grounded visual language.