Beginner and intermediate potters will learn the basics of throwing forms on the potter’s wheel. Enjoy wheel-throwing functional forms such as bowls, cups, plates, and mugs. Experiment with glazing techniques and bring home beautiful hand-made pieces.  

Beginner and intermediate potters will learn the basics of throwing forms on the potter’s wheel. Enjoy wheel-throwing functional forms such as bowls, cups, plates, and mugs. Experiment with glazing techniques and bring home beautiful hand-made pieces.  

Coil building is one of the very first handbuilding techniques used to create pottery. This 6-week workshop will teach proper coil building techniques to create large scale vessels. Learn effective techniques for designing large pots with structural strength. This workshop is for beginner and intermediate level students.

Join us for a 2-day workshop where we will use slab construction and various hand-building techniques to create tripod cups with texture. Students will have the option to add handles and additional personal touches to make their cups unique. The first class session will focus on creating the cups and the second class session will focus on glazing. Each student will finish the class with a pair of beautiful, hand-built cups.

This exploratory class is all about designing experimental vases and planters in clay. We’ll start by crafting simple conventional objects then work to make them more unusual while remaining functional. This class will involve ideation, some simple sketching, and of course construction using clay. Whether you prefer wheel-throwing or hand-building, this class will challenge your skills and unlock new ways of working. No previous experience with clay is required, but only basic hand-building techniques (pinching, slab-building, coil-building, and joinery) will be taught. Those that approach Design Studio with imagination and a willingness to try new ideas will excel in this fun, fast-paced, and productive class. All levels welcome.

Imaginary Objects is a radical new approach to ceramics classes. This expansive class is about creating functional tableware that has never existed before. We’ll begin by creating simple but unusual objects, then branch out using randomness, observation, and collaboration. Each week will present a new challenge to tackle and no two weeks will be the same. Whether you prefer wheel-throwing or hand-building, we will work together to cross-pollinate our skillsets, combining multiple techniques to create any given piece. Innovative new techniques in both hand-building and wheel-throwing will be taught. Everyone will leave with several one-of-a-kind creations, totally new ways of creating, and a renewed vigor for ceramic design. Previous experience working with clay is required.

Explore oil and acrylic painting during this 8-week class. This class will guide participants through the painting process, from color mixing and blending, to application, and brushwork. Students will gain an enhanced understanding of composition and perspective. Choose which painting medium is best for you and learn how acrylic and oil can be used together. Develop your own personal approach to drawing and painting as you examine different styles from both classical and contemporary artists. Students are welcome to bring projects in-progress to receive instructor guidance.

Enjoy a class of artistic freedom using your imagination and intuition. This is an exploratory class that consists of varying exercises to help you find new avenues of expression. This multi-media class will have you painting to music, introduce monoprints, and blind contour drawing. Students will use acrylic and oil paints, chalk pastels, and more. If you have an interest in art and being creative but have never taken the first step, this is a great class for you. No experience is needed. Bring an open mind to this non-intimidating class and dare to imagine! Supply list provided at the first class session.

If you have ever wanted to explore painting with watercolor, this 4-day intensive class is for you. Learn the basics of working with watercolor by painting a still life and a landscape on the beautiful Hermitage grounds. This class will cover fundamental drawing techniques and elements of composition. 

Have you ever wanted to create brilliant stories through pictures or thought about expressing yourself through visual storytelling? Author and Illustrator, Rita Esposito, will walk you through all the steps to create a picture book including how to plot a great story, creating characters, setting, theme, style, and composition. Students will also learn about traditional publishing and self-publishing as well as working with writers and illustrators. This class covers everything you need to know to create an engaging story that keeps your readers engaged. Learn the structure of a picture book and how to create one from scratch in this exciting class.

Learn the basics of painting and drawing to create compelling illustrations. Children’s book Author and Illustrator, Rita Esposito, will teach you various drawing techniques using pen and acrylic ink and how to paint with acrylic inks. This 4-week class will focus specifically on creating children and animals for illustrations. Gain an understanding of body proportions, capturing facial expressions, body gestures, clothing details and more. Learn about color theory, brushwork, and line work to create unique illustrations for all your future projects.

Translate the world around you into line, shape, and movement through the power of observation. This class is an exploration of mark making, perception, and learning to develop your own personal art style. Through playful exercises and skill-building studies, students will discover new ways to observe, interpret, and respond on paper. Each participant will receive a sketchbook and a variety of new drawing materials to explore and experiment with. Each week will explore new elements of drawing and include personalized instructor guidance, group feedback and creative motivation. Students are encouraged to bring their preferred media to work with.

Explore the art of figure drawing in a welcoming and inclusive environment. This class is perfect for beginners eager to learn the basics of the human form, or experienced artists looking to refine their skills. Draw the figure in short and long form poses with live models each week. Practice proportion, expressive line work, perspective, and details to inform your own artwork. Each week will include instructor guidance, group feedback and creative motivation. Basic drawing supplies will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring their preferred media to work with.

Bring your creative practice wherever you go with a bound leather sketchbook made completely by your own hands. Learn the basics of leather types and leatherworking skills like cutting, sewing, and closure options with your preferred leather and thread colors. We will fill our handmade books and learn some bookbinding in the process with heavyweight water color paper. You will be able to draw, write, and paint in your own unique sketchbook. All levels welcome.

In this workshop, design and craft a beautiful, safe watering station for bees, butterflies, and other tiny, but mighty pollinators. Learn the basic techniques of cutting, assembling, attaching, grouting, and sealing. Use different substrates for different climates while giving our pollinators a safe place to hydrate. Dive into the mosaic art process while exploring the many possibilities of found and reclaimed materials.

Discover the basic techniques of working with stained glass for this beginner-friendly, one-day workshop. Learn glass cutting, assembling, soldering, and finishing under the guidance of an experience instructor. This eco-friendly class will use antique, vintage, repurposed, and recovered glass to create minimal waste to the environment.

Learn the basic techniques of cutting, assembling, attaching, and grouting stained glass to create a finished mosaic night light. During this one-day workshop, explore the mosaic process and many possibilities of working with found and reclaimed glass.

Learn how to make the most of your digital camera and create better photographs by taking control of image creation. This class presents a solid foundation of DSLR camera use through in-class demonstrations and lectures as well as hands-on classwork and assignments. Lectures and assignments cover shooting in manual modes, image storage capabilities, file types, various camera menus, exposure, light, shutter effects, and the resulting creative possibilities. A digital SLR camera is preferable but any camera with manual capabilities will work for this class. No previous camera knowledge or experience is required. Photo editing skills will not be covered in this class. Please bring the printed manual that came with your camera to the first class. The book Understanding Exposure, 4th Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera by Bryan Peterson is required.

This intensive one-day class presents a basic introduction to manual settings on your digital SLR camera, so you can get out of auto and start shooting in manual. Students will learn shooting modes, image storage capabilities, file types, menus, exposure, light, shutter effects, and the resulting creative possibilities. A digital SLR camera is preferable but any camera with manual capabilities will work as well for this class. No previous camera knowledge or experience is required. Please bring the manual that came with your camera to class, and whatever lens(s) you are most comfortable using.

This intensive one-day class presents a basic introduction to Adobe Lightroom Classic, an essential tool for both amateur and professional photographers. Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflow, enhance your editing skills, or confidently present your final images, this class will guide you through every step of the process. A laptop loaded with the latest version of Adobe Lightroom Classic (desktop version) is required, as well as The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic Book (Voices That Matter) – 1st Edition by Scott Kelby