Saturday, August 29, 10am-12pm

A beginner-friendly textile art class where you’ll create an 8-inch barn quilt using fabric, foam board, and a no-sew Japanese technique.

What you’ll do
Kinusaiga is a Japanese textile art form that creates richly textured, mosaic-like images without sewing or needles. In this class, you’ll learn how to transfer a design to foam board, cut shallow grooves, and tuck fabric into the surface to create an 8-inch barn quilt. You’ll finish by mounting your completed piece into a wooden frame or shadow box to take home.

What you’ll learn
How to transfer a design onto foam board
How to cut grooves and tuck fabric cleanly into place
The basics of kinusaiga construction and composition
How to finish and frame a completed fabric mosaic piece

Great for: All skill levels. No sewing experience needed.

Instructor: Alexis Johnson

Schedule
August 29, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Cost: $54

What to bring:
All materials are provided, including foam boards, specialty tucking tools, an assortment of scrap fabrics, and a frame.

Thursday, September 3rd, 1-2:15pm

Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a cyanblue print. Engineers used the process well into the 20th century as a simple and low-cost process to produce copies of drawings, referred to as blueprints. To create images, you place pressed plants, feathers, film negatives or other items on the coated material and expose it to sunlight.The fabric is greenish/ grey when unexposed. The final blue cyan color will not show until fabric has been printed, rinsed and dried.

What You’ll Do: Create images with placed pressed plants, feathers, film negatives or other items on the coated material and expose it to sunlight. The fabric is greenish/ grey when unexposed. The final blue cyan color will not show until fabric has been printed, rinsed and dried.

What You’ll Learn: The basics of cyanotype printing.

This Class is great for: anyone! 

Instructor: Rita Carpenter 

Schedule: Thursday, September 3rd, 1-2:15pm 

Cost: $36 per person (2 pieces of cloth 8.5x11”) ( extras can be purchased for $7.50 each )

What to bring: The 100% cotton material will be supplied. Please bring items to use for printing. ** pressed flowers, pine cones, lace, and other items will be available to use for printing. If you have special items you want to try, please bring with you.

Saturday, September 12, 1-3:30PM

A beginner-friendly enameling workshop where you’ll use powdered glass, color, and shimmering accents to create a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings.

What you’ll do
In this two-and-a-half-hour make-and-take class, you’ll choose one of two copper earring shapes, select a base color, and decide whether to add a stenciled shimmer pattern or a soft gradient accent.

You’ll prepare the copper, use a sifter to apply powdered counter enamel and enamel, and operate a torch to fuse the glass to the metal. You’ll then use a sponge to apply your chosen shimmer accents before firing the earrings again to complete the design.

What you’ll learn
How to prepare copper for enameling
How to apply counter enamel and colored enamel with a sifter
How to safely fuse vitreous enamel to copper with a torch
How to apply shimmer accents with a stencil or gradient technique
How to fire decorative accents into enamel

Great for: Beginners. No prior enameling experience needed.

Instructor: Karen Trexler is a metalsmith, enamelist, and metal clay jewelry artist with an MFA in metalsmithing and enameling from UW–Madison. Her classes make specialized metalworking techniques approachable through clear, hands-on instruction.

Schedule
September 12, 1:00–3:30 PM

Cost: $120 (materials included)

What to bring: Please avoid loose or overly baggy clothing, including wide or flowing sleeves, while working with the torch. If you have long hair, bring a hair tie or arrive with your hair tied back. Shared safety glasses will be provided, though you may bring your own. Feel free to bring water or anything else that will help you stay comfortable during class.

Friday, September 18 – 5:30–8:30 PM

Create a handmade accordion-style book while learning simple bookbinding and paper-folding techniques. This approachable workshop combines structure, design, and creativity as you create a book that can be used as a journal, sketchbook, photo book, or small collection of artwork. No previous bookbinding experience is necessary.

What You’ll Do:
You’ll fold and assemble an accordion-style book, create a sturdy cover, and explore ways to personalize the pages and covers. By the end of class, you’ll have a finished handmade book to take home and use as a journal, sketchbook, photo book, or small collection of artwork.

What You’ll Learn:

• Basic accordion book construction

• Simple bookbinding techniques

• How to turn individual sheets of paper into a functional book structure

• Ideas for using and decorating your finished book

This Class is great for:
Adults and older teens who enjoy paper crafts, bookmaking, journaling, or creative hands-on projects. No previous bookbinding experience is necessary!

Instructor: Alison Walker is an artist and instructor known for accessible, process-based workshops that help students build confidence through hands-on experience. Her classes are welcoming, supportive, and focused on curiosity, exploration, and skill-building.

Schedule:
Friday, September 18 – 5:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $45

What to bring:
Just yourself — all materials will be provided

Saturday, September 19, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Create a one-of-a-kind mosaic pumpkin for fall using colorful glass, stained glass, and ceramic pieces.

What you’ll do
Start with a wooden pumpkin base, then design your own mosaic using a mix of colorful glass tiles, stained glass, and ceramic pieces. You’ll cut and arrange your materials, glue everything into place, grout the finished design, and add a copper wire stem and grouted leaf.

By the end of class, you’ll have a finished pumpkin ready to bring home and display for fall.

What you’ll learn

• How to cut and shape glass for mosaic work

• How to plan and lay out a mosaic design

• How to adhere glass and ceramic pieces to a wood surface

• How to grout and finish a mosaic piece

• How to add decorative finishing details

Great for: All skill levels. No prior mosaic experience needed.

Instructor: Alexis Johnson is a stained glass and mosaic artist based in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where she operates Eagle Art. Her classes are hands-on and approachable, with plenty of room to experiment while learning the fundamentals of the craft.

Schedule
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Cost: $48

What to bring: Just yourself — all tools and materials will be provided.

Saturday, September 19 – 2:00–5:00 PM

Explore the fun of building a painting layer by layer. In this relaxed, hands-on workshop, you’ll experiment with acrylic paint and a variety of mixed-media materials to create richly textured artwork. Each participant will create two 12 × 16-inch canvas-board paintings, designed either as a coordinated diptych or as two completely independent pieces. No previous painting experience is needed — come ready to experiment with color, texture, and the creative process.

What You’ll Do:
You’ll build textured surfaces using a variety of mixed-media materials, then layer acrylic paint, color, and pattern to develop two finished paintings. Explore texture, contrast, and composition as you decide whether your pieces will work together as a diptych or take two completely different directions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Techniques for creating texture and visual depth

• How to layer acrylic paint and mixed-media materials

• Ways to use color, contrast, and pattern to create visual interest

• How to develop a cohesive diptych or two individual compositions

• How to experiment freely and allow a painting to evolve through the process

This Class is great for:
Adults and older teens who enjoy experimenting with art and want to explore texture and mixed-media techniques. No previous painting experience is necessary. This is a relaxed, process-focused class with plenty of room to explore your own style.

Instructor:Alison Walker is an artist and instructor known for accessible, process-based workshops that help students build confidence through hands-on experience. Her classes are welcoming, supportive, and focused on curiosity, exploration, and skill-building.

Schedule:
Saturday, September 19 – 2:00–5:00 PM

Cost: $50

What to bring:
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on — all materials, including two 12 × 16-inch canvas boards, will be provided.

Sunday, September 27, 1:00–4:00 PM

A beginner-friendly metal clay workshop where you’ll create a one-of-a-kind sterling silver ring with a stone fired directly into the design.

What you’ll do
In this three-hour workshop, you’ll create a sterling silver ring from start to finish using metal clay. You’ll build a band of your own design, account for shrinkage when sizing the ring, and set a stone to be fired in place. You’ll also use additive construction techniques and refine the surface so the finished ring can be polished to a high shine.

Because the sterling silver alloy requires kiln firing, your ring will be fired after class and made available for pickup at Kismetic Studios on Main Street.

What you’ll learn
The basics of working with metal clay
How to construct and size a metal clay ring band
How to set a stone to be fired in place
How to use additive construction techniques
How to refine a piece for a smooth, polished finish
The basic principles of firing and sintering metal clay

Great for: Beginners. No prior metal clay experience needed.

Instructor: Karen Trexler is a metalsmith, enamelist, and metal clay jewelry artist with an MFA in metalsmithing and enameling from UW–Madison. She brings extensive experience working with and teaching metal clay, with a focus on making the material approachable for beginners.

Schedule
September 27, 1:00–4:00 PM

Cost: $150 (materials included)

What to bring: Nothing is required. Feel free to bring a drink or anything else that will help you stay comfortable during class.

Tuesday, September 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, October 1 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Paint loose, expressive poppies while learning how to create depth, contrast, and blending with watercolor — no drawing required!

What you’ll do
You’ll start by painting poppies freely, using simple shapes, soft edges, and flowing color rather than a pencil sketch. Their delicate, paper-like petals make them a forgiving subject and a great way to practice painting more loosely.

You’ll also create a monochromatic watercolor study using just one color. By changing the ratio of water to pigment, you’ll build a full range of light and dark values and see how those shifts create contrast, depth, and dimension.

What you’ll learn
How to paint loosely without starting from a drawing
How to think in shapes when building a flower
How to use lost and found edges in loose watercolor painting
How to create a range of values using a single color
How water-to-pigment ratios affect light, dark, depth, and blending

Great for: Watercolor artists of all levels, especially beginners.

Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.

Tuesday, September 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, October 1 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Cost: $78

What to bring: Watercolor paints and brushes, watercolor paper (two ¼- or ⅛-sheets, whichever you prefer), a board to paint on, pencil and eraser, paper towel, an old rag, two water containers, a fine-mist spray bottle, and any other watercolor tools you normally like to use.

Tuesday, September 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, October 1 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Paint loose, expressive poppies while learning how to create depth, contrast, and blending with watercolor — no drawing required!

What you’ll do
You’ll start by painting poppies freely, using simple shapes, soft edges, and flowing color rather than a pencil sketch. Their delicate, paper-like petals make them a forgiving subject and a great way to practice painting more loosely.

You’ll also create a monochromatic watercolor study using just one color. By changing the ratio of water to pigment, you’ll build a full range of light and dark values and see how those shifts create contrast, depth, and dimension.

What you’ll learn
How to paint loosely without starting from a drawing
How to think in shapes when building a flower
How to use lost and found edges in loose watercolor painting
How to create a range of values using a single color
How water-to-pigment ratios affect light, dark, depth, and blending

Great for: Watercolor artists of all levels, especially beginners.

Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.

Tuesday, September 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, October 1 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Cost: $78

What to bring: Watercolor paints and brushes, watercolor paper (two ¼- or ⅛-sheets, whichever you prefer), a board to paint on, pencil and eraser, paper towel, an old rag, two water containers, a fine-mist spray bottle, and any other watercolor tools you normally like to use.

Saturday, October 10, 9:00–11:00 AM

Create a richly-textured fall fabric mosaic using kinusaiga, a Japanese art form from the 1980’s that creates the look of stained glass or mosaic - no sewing required.

What you’ll do
You’ll transfer a design onto a foam board, cut shallow grooves into the surface, and carefully tuck selected pieces of fabric into place to build your image. As the layers come together, you’ll create a colorful, dimensional, stained-glass-like piece.

At the end of class, you’ll mount your finished kinusaiga piece in a wooden frame or shadow box, ready to take home and display.

What you’ll learn

• How to transfer a design onto foam board

• How to build color, pattern, and texture with fabric

• How to cut shallow grooves and seamlessly tuck fabric edges into the foam

• How to mount and frame your finished kinusaiga piece into a wooden frame or shadow box to take home.

This class is great for: All skill levels. No needles, thread, or sewing machines are needed.

Instructor: Alexis Johnson is a stained glass and mosaic artist based in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where she operates Eagle Art. Her classes are hands-on and approachable, with plenty of room to experiment while learning the fundamentals of the craft.

Schedule:
Saturday, October 10, 9:00–11:00 AM

Cost: $54

What to bring: Your creativity! All materials will be provided.

This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

A mountain dulcimer is a simple, beautifully approachable stringed instrument with roots in Appalachia. Resting across your lap, it can be strummed or fingerpicked to create a warm, folksy sound — and unlike many instruments, you don’t need to read traditional music to start playing. Also known as an Appalachian or lap dulcimer, it’s a great entry point for anyone who has always wanted to make music but felt intimidated by music theory or more complicated instruments.

In this five-session class, you’ll build your own mountain dulcimer from a kit, then learn how to tune it and play simple songs using easy-to-follow tablature and numbers — no music-reading experience required.

What you’ll do
You’ll build a mountain dulcimer from a kit and learn how to play the instrument you created. Once your dulcimer is assembled, you’ll practice tuning, strumming, and following simple dulcimer tablature so you can begin playing songs during class.

What you’ll learn

• How a mountain dulcimer is constructed

• How to tune your instrument

• How to strum and play basic songs

• How to follow dulcimer tablature and number-based music

• How to get comfortable making music without needing to read traditional notation

Great for: Anyone who has always wanted to play an instrument but has felt intimidated by music theory or reading music. The mountain dulcimer offers an approachable way to start making music, and you’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself to keep playing and sharing.

Instructor: Karen Warwick has been playing the mountain dulcimer for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she has spent thousands of hours studying the instrument and has continued her training with national champions and professional players at dulcimer festivals around the country. She loves sharing the mountain dulcimer with others and helping new players discover how approachable and enjoyable it can be.

Schedule
This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $198

What to bring: Just yourself — everything you need to get started will be provided!

October 17, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Create a one-of-a-kind pair of sterling silver earrings, complete with textured geometric shapes and a decorative spiral that moves as you wear it.

What you’ll do
Start with sterling silver sheet and wire, then shape, texture, and finish your own pair of earrings from scratch. Choose from a triangle, oval, or rectangle for the earring body, customize the proportions, and create a silver spiral detail that adds movement to the finished design.

You’ll cut and texture the silver, form the spirals and earring wires by hand, and use a small butane torch to create the balled tips. By the end of class, your earrings will be finished and ready to wear!

What you’ll learn

• How to cut, shape, and sand sterling silver sheet

• How to use hammers to texture the earring body

• How to polish, finish, and stain the silver using Dremel rotary tools and other techniques

• How to use pliers to form a decorative spiral

• How to form an earring wire

• How to use a butane torch to create a balled wire tip

• How to work harden, polish, and finish earring wires

Great for: Novices–no prior metalsmithing experience needed!

Instructor: Kay Rashka is a local metalsmithing instructor with more than 15 years of teaching experience, including at the Madison Bead Show and Milwaukee Bead & Button Show. She is also the author of Bead Meets Metal.

Schedule
October 17, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Cost: $135
Includes sterling silver sheet, silver wire, and written instructions. Class minimum is 3 students; maximum is 6 students.

What to bring: Please wear cotton work clothes and/or an apron and closed-toe shoes. If you have long hair, it will need to be tied back; hair ties will be available from the instructor.

This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

A mountain dulcimer is a simple, beautifully approachable stringed instrument with roots in Appalachia. Resting across your lap, it can be strummed or fingerpicked to create a warm, folksy sound — and unlike many instruments, you don’t need to read traditional music to start playing. Also known as an Appalachian or lap dulcimer, it’s a great entry point for anyone who has always wanted to make music but felt intimidated by music theory or more complicated instruments.

In this five-session class, you’ll build your own mountain dulcimer from a kit, then learn how to tune it and play simple songs using easy-to-follow tablature and numbers — no music-reading experience required.

What you’ll do
You’ll build a mountain dulcimer from a kit and learn how to play the instrument you created. Once your dulcimer is assembled, you’ll practice tuning, strumming, and following simple dulcimer tablature so you can begin playing songs during class.

What you’ll learn

• How a mountain dulcimer is constructed

• How to tune your instrument

• How to strum and play basic songs

• How to follow dulcimer tablature and number-based music

• How to get comfortable making music without needing to read traditional notation

Great for: Anyone who has always wanted to play an instrument but has felt intimidated by music theory or reading music. The mountain dulcimer offers an approachable way to start making music, and you’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself to keep playing and sharing.

Instructor: Karen Warwick has been playing the mountain dulcimer for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she has spent thousands of hours studying the instrument and has continued her training with national champions and professional players at dulcimer festivals around the country. She loves sharing the mountain dulcimer with others and helping new players discover how approachable and enjoyable it can be.

Schedule
This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $198

What to bring: Just yourself — everything you need to get started will be provided!

Saturday, October 24, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and
Sunday, October 25, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Create a glowing birch tree sun-catcher using layered glass, bold color, and classic mosaic techniques.

What you’ll do
Design your own birch tree scene using white glass for the trunks and colorful translucent glass for the background. You’ll cut and shape the glass, arrange and layer the pieces to build your composition, adhere everything to the surface, then grout and clean the finished piece.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a finished sun-catcher designed to catch the light and bring a little color to your window.

What you’ll learn

• How to plan a glass mosaic composition

• How to cut and shape glass safely

• How to layer glass to create depth and contrast

• How to adhere glass to a surface

• How to grout, clean, and finish a mosaic piece

Great for: All skill levels. No prior mosaic experience needed.

Instructor: Alexis Johnson is a stained glass and mosaic artist based in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where she operates Eagle Art. Her classes are hands-on and approachable, with plenty of room to experiment while learning the fundamentals of the craft.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Saturday, October 24, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and
Sunday, October 25, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Cost: $65

What to bring: Just yourself — all tools and materials will be provided.

Saturday, October 24, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and
Sunday, October 25, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Create a glowing birch tree sun-catcher using layered glass, bold color, and classic mosaic techniques.

What you’ll do
Design your own birch tree scene using white glass for the trunks and colorful translucent glass for the background. You’ll cut and shape the glass, arrange and layer the pieces to build your composition, adhere everything to the surface, then grout and clean the finished piece.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a finished sun-catcher designed to catch the light and bring a little color to your window.

What you’ll learn

• How to plan a glass mosaic composition

• How to cut and shape glass safely

• How to layer glass to create depth and contrast

• How to adhere glass to a surface

• How to grout, clean, and finish a mosaic piece

Great for: All skill levels. No prior mosaic experience needed.

Instructor: Alexis Johnson is a stained glass and mosaic artist based in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where she operates Eagle Art. Her classes are hands-on and approachable, with plenty of room to experiment while learning the fundamentals of the craft.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Saturday, October 24, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and
Sunday, October 25, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Cost: $65

What to bring: Just yourself — all tools and materials will be provided.

Tuesday, October 27 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, October 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Explore watercolor through a grape leaf study while building your skills in composition, design, and foundational painting techniques.

What you’ll do
Using real grape leaves as your reference, you’ll plan and paint an 11 × 15-inch watercolor from start to finish. You’ll work through basic design and composition while practicing a range of watercolor techniques along the way.

By the end of the two sessions, you should be able to complete a finished grape leaf painting while gaining more confidence with the fundamentals of watercolor.

What you’ll learn

• How to approach basic design and composition in watercolor

• How to use a variety of foundational watercolor techniques

• How to work from real leaves as reference

• How to develop a composition into a finished 11 × 15-inch painting

Great for: Anyone who wants to learn more about watercolor painting.

Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Tuesday, October 27 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, October 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Cost: $78

What to bring: 

• Watercolor palette

• One 11 × 15-inch sheet of Arches 140 lb. cold-press watercolor paper

• Two synthetic round watercolor brushes, sizes 6 and 10

• Two small water containers

• Rag for your wet brush

• 5–7 grape leaves in different sizes and shapes

Please collect your grape leaves ahead of time while they’re still available. They can be layered, sealed in a bag, and frozen until class. Bring them with you to the first session.

This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

A mountain dulcimer is a simple, beautifully approachable stringed instrument with roots in Appalachia. Resting across your lap, it can be strummed or fingerpicked to create a warm, folksy sound — and unlike many instruments, you don’t need to read traditional music to start playing. Also known as an Appalachian or lap dulcimer, it’s a great entry point for anyone who has always wanted to make music but felt intimidated by music theory or more complicated instruments.

In this five-session class, you’ll build your own mountain dulcimer from a kit, then learn how to tune it and play simple songs using easy-to-follow tablature and numbers — no music-reading experience required.

What you’ll do
You’ll build a mountain dulcimer from a kit and learn how to play the instrument you created. Once your dulcimer is assembled, you’ll practice tuning, strumming, and following simple dulcimer tablature so you can begin playing songs during class.

What you’ll learn

• How a mountain dulcimer is constructed

• How to tune your instrument

• How to strum and play basic songs

• How to follow dulcimer tablature and number-based music

• How to get comfortable making music without needing to read traditional notation

Great for: Anyone who has always wanted to play an instrument but has felt intimidated by music theory or reading music. The mountain dulcimer offers an approachable way to start making music, and you’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself to keep playing and sharing.

Instructor: Karen Warwick has been playing the mountain dulcimer for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she has spent thousands of hours studying the instrument and has continued her training with national champions and professional players at dulcimer festivals around the country. She loves sharing the mountain dulcimer with others and helping new players discover how approachable and enjoyable it can be.

Schedule
This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $198

What to bring: Just yourself — everything you need to get started will be provided!

Tuesday, October 27 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, October 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Explore watercolor through a grape leaf study while building your skills in composition, design, and foundational painting techniques.

What you’ll do
Using real grape leaves as your reference, you’ll plan and paint an 11 × 15-inch watercolor from start to finish. You’ll work through basic design and composition while practicing a range of watercolor techniques along the way.

By the end of the two sessions, you should be able to complete a finished grape leaf painting while gaining more confidence with the fundamentals of watercolor.

What you’ll learn

• How to approach basic design and composition in watercolor

• How to use a variety of foundational watercolor techniques

• How to work from real leaves as reference

• How to develop a composition into a finished 11 × 15-inch painting

Great for: Anyone who wants to learn more about watercolor painting.

Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Tuesday, October 27 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, October 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Cost: $78

What to bring: 

• Watercolor palette

• One 11 × 15-inch sheet of Arches 140 lb. cold-press watercolor paper

• Two synthetic round watercolor brushes, sizes 6 and 10

• Two small water containers

• Rag for your wet brush

• 5–7 grape leaves in different sizes and shapes

Please collect your grape leaves ahead of time while they’re still available. They can be layered, sealed in a bag, and frozen until class. Bring them with you to the first session.

This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

A mountain dulcimer is a simple, beautifully approachable stringed instrument with roots in Appalachia. Resting across your lap, it can be strummed or fingerpicked to create a warm, folksy sound — and unlike many instruments, you don’t need to read traditional music to start playing. Also known as an Appalachian or lap dulcimer, it’s a great entry point for anyone who has always wanted to make music but felt intimidated by music theory or more complicated instruments.

In this five-session class, you’ll build your own mountain dulcimer from a kit, then learn how to tune it and play simple songs using easy-to-follow tablature and numbers — no music-reading experience required.

What you’ll do
You’ll build a mountain dulcimer from a kit and learn how to play the instrument you created. Once your dulcimer is assembled, you’ll practice tuning, strumming, and following simple dulcimer tablature so you can begin playing songs during class.

What you’ll learn

• How a mountain dulcimer is constructed

• How to tune your instrument

• How to strum and play basic songs

• How to follow dulcimer tablature and number-based music

• How to get comfortable making music without needing to read traditional notation

Great for: Anyone who has always wanted to play an instrument but has felt intimidated by music theory or reading music. The mountain dulcimer offers an approachable way to start making music, and you’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself to keep playing and sharing.

Instructor: Karen Warwick has been playing the mountain dulcimer for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she has spent thousands of hours studying the instrument and has continued her training with national champions and professional players at dulcimer festivals around the country. She loves sharing the mountain dulcimer with others and helping new players discover how approachable and enjoyable it can be.

Schedule
This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $198

What to bring: Just yourself — everything you need to get started will be provided!

Tuesday, November 10 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, November 12 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Create festive watercolor and mixed-media pieces inspired by poinsettias and Christmas ornaments, with the option to turn your finished artwork into a holiday card.

What you’ll do
Across two sessions, you’ll paint a poinsettia and holiday ornaments while exploring both watercolor and paper-texturing techniques. You’ll also experiment with mixed-media elements like collage paper, music sheets, book pages, and napkins to add texture and visual interest.

Your finished work can stand on its own or be used as the basis for a handmade holiday card.

What you’ll learn

• How to paint poinsettias and holiday ornaments in watercolor

• How to combine watercolor with mixed-media techniques

• How to add texture using paper and collage materials

• How to use watercolor pencils and other tools to build detail and dimension

• How to develop a holiday-themed painting that can also work as a card design

Great for: Anyone who wants to learn more about watercolor painting and paper texturing.

Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Tuesday, November 10 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, November 12 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Cost: $78

What to bring: 

• 140 lb. cold-press watercolor paper, around 15 × 15 inches or another size you prefer

• Watercolor paints and brushes

• Water containers

• Fine-mist spray bottle

• Watercolor pencils

• Sandpaper

• Paper towels and tissue

• Music paper, collage paper, napkins, or book pages

• Circle stencil or round container for tracing

• YES Paste

• Brush for glue

• Salt

This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

A mountain dulcimer is a simple, beautifully approachable stringed instrument with roots in Appalachia. Resting across your lap, it can be strummed or fingerpicked to create a warm, folksy sound — and unlike many instruments, you don’t need to read traditional music to start playing. Also known as an Appalachian or lap dulcimer, it’s a great entry point for anyone who has always wanted to make music but felt intimidated by music theory or more complicated instruments.

In this five-session class, you’ll build your own mountain dulcimer from a kit, then learn how to tune it and play simple songs using easy-to-follow tablature and numbers — no music-reading experience required.

What you’ll do
You’ll build a mountain dulcimer from a kit and learn how to play the instrument you created. Once your dulcimer is assembled, you’ll practice tuning, strumming, and following simple dulcimer tablature so you can begin playing songs during class.

What you’ll learn

• How a mountain dulcimer is constructed

• How to tune your instrument

• How to strum and play basic songs

• How to follow dulcimer tablature and number-based music

• How to get comfortable making music without needing to read traditional notation

Great for: Anyone who has always wanted to play an instrument but has felt intimidated by music theory or reading music. The mountain dulcimer offers an approachable way to start making music, and you’ll leave with an instrument you built yourself to keep playing and sharing.

Instructor: Karen Warwick has been playing the mountain dulcimer for more than 35 years. Largely self-taught, she has spent thousands of hours studying the instrument and has continued her training with national champions and professional players at dulcimer festivals around the country. She loves sharing the mountain dulcimer with others and helping new players discover how approachable and enjoyable it can be.

Schedule
This is one class held over five dates. Registration includes all five sessions.
Tuesday, October 13 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3 – 6:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 10 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Cost: $198

What to bring: Just yourself — everything you need to get started will be provided!

Tuesday, November 10 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, November 12 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Create festive watercolor and mixed-media pieces inspired by poinsettias and Christmas ornaments, with the option to turn your finished artwork into a holiday card.

What you’ll do
Across two sessions, you’ll paint a poinsettia and holiday ornaments while exploring both watercolor and paper-texturing techniques. You’ll also experiment with mixed-media elements like collage paper, music sheets, book pages, and napkins to add texture and visual interest.

Your finished work can stand on its own or be used as the basis for a handmade holiday card.

What you’ll learn

• How to paint poinsettias and holiday ornaments in watercolor

• How to combine watercolor with mixed-media techniques

• How to add texture using paper and collage materials

• How to use watercolor pencils and other tools to build detail and dimension

• How to develop a holiday-themed painting that can also work as a card design

Great for: Anyone who wants to learn more about watercolor painting and paper texturing.

Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.

Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Tuesday, November 10 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, November 12 – 9:30–11:00 AM

Cost: $78

What to bring: 

• 140 lb. cold-press watercolor paper, around 15 × 15 inches or another size you prefer

• Watercolor paints and brushes

• Water containers

• Fine-mist spray bottle

• Watercolor pencils

• Sandpaper

• Paper towels and tissue

• Music paper, collage paper, napkins, or book pages

• Circle stencil or round container for tracing

• YES Paste

• Brush for glue

• Salt

Saturday, November 14 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Turn a Lake Superior riverstone into a one-of-a-kind pendant using sterling silver, hand tools, and traditional metalsmithing techniques.

What you’ll do
Choose a basalt stone collected along the shoreline of Lake Superior, then transform it into a finished pendant from start to finish.

You’ll drill directly through the stone, cut and set a sterling silver tube rivet, and use fine silver wire to create a coiled bail for hanging your pendant. Along the way, you’ll work with hammers, hand tools, a flex shaft, and a small butane torch to shape, secure, finish, and polish each component.

Most stones will measure approximately 1–2 inches long by about 1 inch wide, so every finished piece will have its own shape and character.

What you’ll learn

• How to use a hollow-core drill bit and flex shaft to drill stone

• How to cut silver tubing for a rivet

• How to anneal silver with a butane torch

• How to create a double-sided rivet in stone

• How to finish and polish the rivet

• How to ball fine silver wire with a butane torch

• How to create a coiled pendant bail

Great for: Novices–no prior metalsmithing experience needed!

Instructor: Kay Rashka is a local metalsmithing instructor with more than 15 years of teaching experience, including at the Madison Bead Show and Milwaukee Bead & Button Show. She is also the author of Bead Meets Metal.

Schedule
Saturday, November 14 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Cost: $150
Includes one basalt stone, 9.5 mm sterling silver tubing, 16-gauge fine silver wire for the bail, and written instructions. Necklace chain is not included.

What to bring: Wear old work clothes and closed-toe shoes. Long hair must be tied back. Safety glasses will be provided. Bring your own necklace chain or leather cord if you’d like to wear your finished pendant home.

Saturday, November 21, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Create a colorful mosaic wreath on rustic barnwood for a one-of-a-kind piece you can display season after season.

What you’ll do
Build your wreath design directly onto a reclaimed wooden board using colorful glass or ceramic pieces. You’ll cut and shape your materials, arrange the pieces into a floral or holiday wreath pattern, and adhere everything to the barnwood to create a finished mosaic with plenty of texture and character.

By the end of class, you’ll have a permanent, weather-resistant piece of art ready to bring home and display.

What you’ll learn

• How to cut and shape materials for mosaic work

• How to plan and lay out a wreath design

• How to arrange glass or ceramic pieces on barnwood

• How to securely adhere mosaic materials to a wooden surface

• How to finish a mosaic piece for display

Great for: All skill levels. No prior mosaic experience needed.

Instructor: Alexis Johnson is a stained glass and mosaic artist based in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where she operates Eagle Art. Her classes are hands-on and approachable, with plenty of room to experiment while learning the fundamentals of the craft.

Schedule
Saturday, November 21, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Cost: $48

What to bring: Just yourself — all tools and materials will be provided.