Arts: Visual Arts   

Ready to plant a seed for natural dyeing and sewing? Join us as we plant our community dye garden, fix living color from indigo and dyestuff into natural fibers and sew it all up into something wonderful! During this eight-week course, you’ll learn about different fibers, how to scour fiber for dyeing and dye fibers using indigo and dye pots. Once you’ve successfully dyed your fibers, you’ll use those fabrics to sew napkins, drawstring pouches and silk eye masks.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Liability waiver required to participate.

Discover the art of creating with clay in this hands-on, beginner-friendly ceramics course. Over eight weeks, students will explore the fundamentals of handbuilding techniques, including pinch, coil and slab construction, while learning how to shape, texture and join clay. The course will also cover surface decoration methods, glazing and an introduction to the firing process. Each week builds on core skills, guiding students from simple functional forms to more creative, sculptural projects. By the end of the course, participants will have completed a collection of unique ceramic pieces and gained a strong foundation in working with clay. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to get a little messy and experiment! 

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Liability waiver required to participate.

Discover the joy of shaping wood on the lathe in this hands-on introductory course. Students will learn the fundamentals of safe lathe operation, tool selection, principles of spindle and face plate turning and essential turning techniques while practicing on a variety of small projects. This is a project-directed class. Students will leave with projects reflecting their learned skills. No prior experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to try something new. Join us to explore the creative possibilities of woodturning.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $100 ($25 per session). Liability waiver required to participate.

If you can hold a pencil, you can do this. Zentangle comes from the words “Zen” and “tangle” (entangled, interwoven) and combines creativity with meditation. Zentangle is an easy method to learn because it consists of structured patterns. Stroke by stroke, simple lines are repeated onto paper. With every line, you can dive further into the world of tangles. In a short time, tangles turn into amazing 3D, graphic, elaborate and beautiful tiles. They are unplanned, abstract, black and white. The practice calms, relaxes and is fun. 

NOTE: Students should be prepared with pens, other drawing supplies and Zentangle tiles. A complete materials list will be sent to registered students. Depending on personal preferences and supplies already owned, the cost could range from $20 to $45. 

Transform nature into sparkling silver! Discover the magic of turning leaves, flowers and found treasures into stunning fine silver jewelry. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to capture botanical textures and natural forms using art clay silver — a versatile fine silver clay. Create a one-of-a-kind pendant inspired by the beauty of the world around you. No prior experience is needed — just your curiosity and a love of nature. Let your creativity take root and blossom into timeless silver pieces you’ll be proud to wear or give as a gift.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $120 ($30 per session).

Develop a passion for printing in this hands-on class that includes art, design and printmaking. We will focus on a variety of media, including cyanotype, jelly prints and screen printing. Each week, students will learn different aspects of what makes a good design based on composition principles such as the golden ratio, the rule of thirds and the use of positive and negative shapes. Students will learn how to digitize and edit designs for screen printing using an iPad (provided on site by Talent Maker City). Additional printing methods will be introduced.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Liability waiver required to participate.

Think you don’t have artistic talent? We disagree! Surprise yourself with our fun, playful art exercises: Doodle, scribble, create Picasso-style animals and improve your eye-hand coordination with blind contour drawing. Enjoy the process and don’t take your efforts too seriously. Bring your enthusiasm and willingness to explore and let your inner artist/child emerge. There will be no critiquing of your artwork. We provide ideas, suggestions and supplies. Students are encouraged to ask questions during class. A materials list and brief description of class content will be sent to registered students weekly. Watercolor brush pens, pencils, ink pens, card stock and watercolor paper will be provided.  

NOTE: A materials fee of $5 is due at the first class to offset supply costs. No acrylic or oil will be used in the classroom. No art experience is required. 

The arts have always been integral to human cultural development. They are also integral to individual physical, cognitive and emotional development — an alternative language when words fail us. However, if we insist on thinking that art is only for a gifted few, we miss out. This class is designed to rediscover gifts that satisfy the urge to communicate visually. Each student will identify a meaningful theme that will provide focus and inspiration for four activities: a drawing, a painting, a collage and a mixed-media artwork. Eventually, students will make a handmade scrapbook to house their artworks. The instructor will be a guide-on-the-side, demonstrating techniques, making suggestions, answering questions and fostering a supportive environment.

NOTE: All are welcome; no prerequisite art experience is necessary. This course will build week by week. For optimal satisfaction, weekly attendance (especially Week 1) is recommended. There will be a $10 materials fee.