Workshops
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Make Your Watercolors Pop with Pastels! (10/8, 10/15, 10/22 & 10/29)
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Introduction to Gouache (10/11) —FULL
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Introduction to Tapestry Weaving (10/17) —FULL
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Encaustic Collage (10/24 & 10/25) —FULL
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​Introduction to Fused Glass (11/1) —FULL
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Tissue Paper Luminarias​ (11/7)
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Snip, Stick, and Style: The Joy of Mixed Media Collage! (11/14) —FULL
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Cabinet of Curiosities (11/15) —FULL
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Chunky Blanket (12/5)
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Oshibana (Pressed Flower Art) (12/12)
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Mosaic Pendant and Earrings (12/13) —FULL
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You do NOT need a PayPal account to purchase workshops. You can check out as a PayPal guest. If you have any issues registering, please contact us.
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When you successfully register for a workshop, a receipt for your purchase will be emailed to you. If you do not receive a receipt, your registration is NOT confirmed. Please contact us.
Make Your Watercolors Pop with Pastels!
Date: Wednesdays, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22 & 10/29
Time: 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Workshop Fee: $180 (Members), $200 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $10
Instructor: Terrilynn Dubreuil
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Soft pastels and other pastel supplies
Supplies Students Should Bring: Watercolor Supplies and an apron or clothes that can be stained. Students are also encouraged to bring their own soft pastels and other pastel supplies if they have them.
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Did you know that watercolor and soft pastels work wonderfully as partners?
The transparent, luminous nature of watercolor is great for creating a mood with color and design. Watercolor alone, however, can sometimes lack contrast and excitement, and that’s where pastels come in. When applied correctly, the opaque, vibrant qualities of this versatile medium can add texture and detail to your work, enhancing the emotion and bringing it to life!
In this four-week class, award-winning watercolor and pastel artist Terrilynn Dubreuil will teach you how to leverage the beauty of both of these wonderful mediums to create beautiful, expressive paintings that express your personal artistic "voice."
Students are expected to have some watercolor experience and should bring their own watercolor paints, brushes, and paper (see Watercolor Supplies). Students are not required to have much, if any, soft pastels experience. Terrilynn will provide soft pastels and other pastel supplies for those who need them.
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Introduction to Gouache (FULL)
Date: Saturday, 10/11
Time: 1:00-5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members), $80 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $15 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Camille Daunno
Skill Level: Beginner
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Gouache, brushes, paper, mixing palettes, water containers
Supplies Students Should Bring: An apron or clothes than can be stained. All other supplies provided.
Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
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Although most people know more about watercolor, gouache, another water-based paint, has been around for hundreds of years. What makes it so special is that it’s opaque, making it ideal for covering underlying color, layering light colors over dark, and correcting mistakes by painting over them. It also dries quickly and adds intense color to paintings. If it seems like just what you’ve been looking for, join us for this hands-on workshop where you’ll explore the wonderful qualities of this versatile medium.
In this half-day class, local artist Camille Daunno will explain and demonstrate gouache’s unique characteristics. Camille will show you how to mix and use gouache three different ways:
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Design and flat pattern technique: You’ll learn how to work in layered colors, creating an all over pattern or design without disturbing the color.
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Watercolor technique: You’ll learn how to create a loose painting that’s opaque, yet has the look of transparent watercolor.
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Acrylic technique: You’ll learn how to use gouache like acrylic paint by creating a small landscape.
You’ll leave the class with three small paintings which may be suitable for display, or may simply capture your learnings for the day.
No previous drawing or painting experience necessary!
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Introduction to Tapestry Weaving (FULL)
Date: Friday, 10/17
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (includes 1 hour break for lunch)
Workshop Fee: $108 (Members), $120 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $30 (To be collected day of workshop; cash, check, or Venmo only)
Instructor: Jeannie Thomma
Skill Level: Beginner
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Loom, pickup stick, shuttles, tapestry needle, comb, dowel, cotton yarn for warp, various weft materials (e.g., yarn, raffia, fabric strips, wool roving)
Supplies Students Should Bring: Scissors, a tape measure, and a pen or pencil. Students are also encouraged to bring favorite yarn, fabric, and/or other materials they’d like to incorporate into their piece, as well as inspirational images or color palettes that they’d like to use as a reference for their design.
Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
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Do you have a hard time throwing out scraps of yarn, fabric, paper, and other leftover crafting materials? If so, tapestry weaving might be the perfect solution! Not only does it produce beautiful 2D and 3D artworks, but pretty much anyone can do it, and the process is meditative and fun!
In this one-day workshop, local fiber artist Jeannie Thomma will teach you everything you need to get started with this enjoyable and practical artform. You’ll learn how to:
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Warp (set up) your loom
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Do basic tapestry stitches, such as plain weave, rya knots, and soumak
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Plan a simple design
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Shape, shade, and add textural effects to your piece
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Finish and display your work
This workshop is perfect for complete beginners, as well as those looking to refresh their skills.
By the end of the day, you’ll complete one or more small woven tapestries that will be ready to hang on your wall—or gifted to a friend! You’ll also have all the tools and know how you need to continue exploring this wondrous medium!
No prior weaving experience necessary; just a curious mind and a willingness to play!
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Encaustic Collage (FULL)
Date: Fri, 10/24 & Sat, 10/25
Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Friday (includes hour break for lunch); 1:00-5:00 PM Saturday
Workshop Fee: $180.00 (Members), $200.00 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $60 (To be collected day of workshop; cash, check, or Venmo)
Instructor: Denby Dale
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Practice panels, 1, 8” x 8” and 1, 9" x 12” cradled wooden panel pre-coated with encaustic, water-soluble artist crayons, colored and graphite pencils, chalk pastel, graphite, India inks, collage papers, fibers, printed images, small heat gun, burnishing tool, X-acto knife, lightweight carving tools, stencils
Supplies Students Should Bring: An apron or clothes that can be stained. All other supplies provided, though students are encouraged to bring their own coloring and lightweight carving tools, collage papers, fibers, printed images (color or black-and-white, toner-based photocopies), pencil or charcoal drawings, and stencils.
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Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
Want to take your collage skills to another level, quite literally? In addition to having archival qualities, encaustic (a wax-based “paint”) acts as both an adhesive and a medium, enabling you to reposition or remove collage elements easily, as well as add depth, translucency, and unique textural elements to your work.
In this playful, two-day workshop, mixed media artist Denby Dale will introduce you to some of the basic properties of encaustic (and collage) without any intimidation or fussy studio set-up!
Through demos and experimentation, you’ll learn how to:
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Prep flat wood panels with clear encaustic wax
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Create encaustic collage by:
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Adding color to encaustic panels using water-soluble artist crayons, colored pencils, chalk pastel, graphite, and India inks
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Adding texture to encaustic panels using an X-acto knife, lightweight carving tools, and stencils
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Adding collage papers and fibers to encaustic panels
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Transferring toner-based images onto encaustic panels (we’ll explore two methods)
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Layer clear wax over your collage elements to produce “floating” and textured effects
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Fuse layers of wax to seal your marks and imagery into the wax and create cohesive layers
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Remove wax to reveal underlying elements
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Reposition or remove unwanted elements
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Play with color and composition to create visually pleasing collages
In addition to several small sample panels, students will leave the workshop with two original encaustic collages that incorporate various mark making techniques, collage papers, fibers, and/or transferred images.
This workshop is perfect for complete beginners, as well as those looking to refresh their skills.
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Introduction to Fused Glass (FULL)
Date: Saturday, 11/1
Time: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members), $80 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $25 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Linda Girardi
Skill Level: Beginner
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Fused glass bases, stringers, frit, murrini, glass sheets, glue, and class cutting tools.
Supplies Students Should Bring: All supplies provided; however, students are encouraged to bring their own glass cutters, running pliers, breaking pliers, and tile nippers if they have them.
Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
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Fused glass is a beautiful and versatile art form that involves layering and melting pieces of glass to create intricate, colorful designs. In this beginner-friendly workshop, glass artist Linda Girardi will teach you all the basics of this exciting medium!
Over the course of an afternoon, you’ll learn the different types of fusible glass and how fusing works. You’ll also gain experience cutting, layering, and gluing glass to prepare a piece for the kiln.
In addition to instruction and demos, Linda will provide a pre-fused glass base and lots of fun materials (flowers, insects, animals, and more!) so you can create your own beautiful, 6“x 6” garden or forest tile that can be displayed in your home or given as a gift.
At the end of the workshop, Linda will take your piece home and fire it in her kiln. You’ll return to Purple Crayon a few days later to pick up your work.
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Tissue Paper Luminarias
Date: Friday, 11/7
Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (includes an hour break for lunch)
Workshop Fee: $90(Members), $100 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $15 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Cheri Epstein
Skill Level: All
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Plastic form, oil, plastic wrap, brushes, tissue paper, glue, embellishments, lights
Supplies Students Should Bring: All supplies provided. Students should also bring an apron or wear clothes that can be stained.
Did you know that tissue paper can be formed into three dimensional vessels? In this messy, but fun, full-day workshop, you’ll learn how to turn this surprisingly versatile material into two beautiful luminarias—just in time for the holidays!
Local art therapist, artist, and teacher Cheri Epstein will give you a 6” plastic form (which is yours to keep!), a rainbow of tissue paper colors and patterns to play with, and a variety of embellishments, like gold leaf and colored gems, to make your pieces sparkle. Then, she’ll take you through the process.
Although the technique is relatively simple, you’ll be amazed at the results. Each of your pieces will reflect your unique color preferences and personality. The luminarias can light a dark walkway, dinner table, or meditative space and will make lovely additions to your home or delightful gifts.
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Snip, Stick, and Style: The Joy of Mixed Media Collage! (FULL)
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Date: Friday, 11/14
Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM (includes an hour break for lunch)
Workshop Fee: $108 (Members), $120 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $20 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Kim Smith
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Paper, fabric, paint, adhesive, various substrates, mark-making tools
Supplies Students Should Bring: Small, sharp scissors and an apron or clothes that can be stained. All other materials will be provided, but students may wish to bring their own collage materials as well.
Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
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Have you ever felt the urge to create but didn't know where to begin? What if art-making could be as simple as cutting and pasting? In this hands-on, introductory collage workshop, Mixed Media Collage artist Kim Smith will show you how to turn your collections of “ephemera” (paper, postcards, brochures, etc.) and other media into unique collaged works of art.
You’ll start by learning how to choose materials that will get your creative juices flowing. Then, Kim will teach you the basics of selecting, layering, and properly adhering multiple mediums (e.g., paper, photographs, fabric, paint) to create a cohesive, colorful, layered collage.
Throughout the class, you’ll learn how to apply basic principles of design and color selection to enhance and finish your work. Kim will also share tips for incorporating collage into your daily life or use when you have something to work through or express.
This class is appropriate for absolute beginners and women who already have some collage experience. If you already have some experience, Kim will help take your skills to the next level.
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Cabinet of Curiosities (FULL)
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Date: Saturday, 11/15
Time: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members), $80 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $15 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Christy Ammerman
Skill Level: All
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Cigar boxes, natural and manmade objects, fabric, paper, toner-based copies of photographs, paint, adhesives
Supplies Students Should Bring: Scissors, toner-based copies of photographs, and an apron or clothes that can be stained. All other materials provided, but students are encouraged to bring additional items that they wish to use in their creation or share.
Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
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Just as the natural world slows down in autumn, we, too, feel the urge to move inward, literally and figuratively, and reflect on our own life cycles. Creating a “cabinet of curiosities”—a collection of rare, unusual, or inexplicable objects—is a great way to organize and process your experiences.
In this thought (and feeling) provoking workshop, Mixed Media artist Christy Ammerman will show you how to arrange natural and manmade objects to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Your cabinet of curiosities might reflect a particular theme, mood, etc., or it might simply be a hodgepodge of interesting things.
Christy will begin by suggesting ways to build a collection of found objects. Then, she’ll show you how to add texture and interest to your collection by creating momigami (Japanese kneaded paper) and easy image transfers. Next, you’ll learn how to juxtapose, layer, and secure natural and manmade objects to create a pleasing composition. Finally, Christy will show you how to finish your piece.
No prior mixed media experience necessary!
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Chunky Blanket
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Date: Friday, 12/5
Time: 1:00-5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members), $80 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: N/A
Instructor: Pam Robbins
Skill Level: All
Supplies Provided by Instructor: None
Supplies Students Should Bring: 5-6 skeins of “chunky” yarn, such as Bernat Blanket Big yarn, Yarn Bee Eternal Bliss yarn, or Lion Brand AR Workshop Chunky Yarn. (Additional information about purchasing yarn will be provided upon registration.)
Looking for a great holiday gift? You’ve probably seen these super soft, super snuggly blankets in your favorite home goods store for $75-$100 or more. Now you can make your own for a lot less, once you learn the technique. No knitting experience necessary!
Non-knitter Pam Robbins will step you through the process. First, she’ll show you how to “cast on” to start your project. Then, you’ll learn how to “knit” your blanket until it’s approximately 45”x 60”. Finally, Pam will show you how to “bind off” your piece to give it a professional look. And you’ll do all of this using just your hands; no needles required!
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Introduction to Block Printing
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Date: Saturday, 12/6
Time: 1:00-5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members), $80 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $20 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Kelly Reese
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Carving block, ink, cards and envelopes, printmaking paper, pencils, tracing paper, sample designs
Supplies Students Should Bring: Carving tool with multiple V and U nibs, such as this one from Michaels or this one from Amazon. All other supplies provided.
Block printing is an amazing and versatile medium that’s great for beginners and experienced artists alike. The designs can be used to create pretty much anything, from paper arts, like wall prints, personal journals, and cards, to wearable fashions and home décor. If you can dream it, you can make it with this technique! Join artist and printmaker, Kelly Reese, as she shows you how to get started on this fun and foolproof craft.
Kelly will demonstrate how to design and carve a basic relief block print, as well as how to roll ink and regulate printing pressure. After practicing techniques, you’ll design (or use one of the winter-themed designs Kelly will provide), carve, and print a set of matching block printed cards and prints. You’ll go home with a useful gift for yourself or a friend and the knowledge and supplies to make more block prints.
No drawing skills required. All you need is a desire to try something new—and have a great time!
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Oshibana (Pressed Flower Art)
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Date: Friday, 12/12
Time: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members), $80 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $20 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Susan McChesney
Skill Level: Beginner
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Pressed flowers, paper, cardboard, wood, gel medium, lamination sheets, mat, sleeves for presentation and storage, resource sheet, take-home package including pressing packet
Supplies Students Should Bring: All materials provided.
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Oshibana, a centuries old Japanese tradition of creating art with pressed plant material, is a relaxing floral preservation technique that transforms delicate botanicals into stunning works of art through careful pressing, artistic arrangement, and sealing to prevent color degradation.
Join local artist Susan McChesney as she demonstrates—and then you’ll practice—how to select, press, unpress, and store a variety of botanical materials and then arrange them into a beautiful, laminate-sealed, matted, and sleeved 5”x7” 2D collage. Susan will also show you how to seal pieces using gel medium on cardboard and wood.
Pressed flower art is perfect for gift giving, and you’ll leave the workshop with all the techniques and resources you need to continue making Oshibana on your own!
No prior experience necessary; just an enthusiasm to explore this gentle art form!
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Mosaic Pendant and Earrings (FULL)
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Date: Saturday, 12/13
Time: 1:00–5:00 PM
Workshop Fee: $72 (Members); $80 (Non-Members)
Supply Fee: $20 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Linda Girardi
Skill Level: All
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Pendant and earring blanks, necklace chain, earring hooks, beads, charms, stained glass tiles, and other mosaic materials
Supplies Students Should Bring: An apron or clothes that can be stained
Note: This workshop is full. Please contact us to be added to waitlist.
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Learn how to apply the ancient art of mosaics to a piece of wearable art! In this fun and easy workshop, mosaic artist Linda Girardi will show how to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind pendant and set of earrings using a variety of beads, charms, stained glass tiles, and more!
Linda will demonstrate the process first, and then you’ll practice:
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Designing a mini mosaic pendant and set of earrings
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Choosing appropriate materials for your jewelry
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Transferring materials and adhering them to a substrate
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Cleaning up and finishing your jewelry
You’ll also learn tips and tricks for working with different types of mosaic materials.
You’ll walk away with a beautiful pendant and a set of earrings (or two pendants if you prefer) that you can keep for yourself or give to a special friend or family member.
No prior glass experience needed!
Note: Moderate hand dexterity and good eyesight required.
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